GI

How can you avoid missing mesenteric ischemia?

A 39-year-old female presents with severe epigastric pain, nausea, and several episodes of non-bloody, non-bilious emesis. The pain is sharp and radiates to her back. On examination, she is tachycardic and tachypneic with diffuse abdominal tenderness, but afebrile. Her lipase returns at 1100 U/L. What is your next step in evaluation and management?

Welcome to this week’s edition of EMin5 by Dr. Anna Pickens.  Today we’ll review what to do when a parent shows up to the ED stating that their baby has blood in the diaper!

What happens when cholecystitis is not associated with gallstones?

When should you consider pneumoperitoneum? What should raise your suspicion?

A 57-year-old male presents with progressively worsening epigastric pain.  Shortly after dinner he felt a sharp pain in his epigastric region. He is tachycardic and tachypneic and appears in distress with diaphoresis. Abdominal exam shows diffuse tenderness with guarding. What should you consider?

What should you consider in your evaluation and management of the patient with suspected ischemic colitis?

Abdominal pain in the pregnant patient is challenging. This post from Marina Boushra looks at obstetrical causes of abdominal pain in this patient population.

The ED often cares for patients with post-surgical complications, but what about the patient with recent cholecystectomy?

A splenic abscess can be a difficult disease to diagnose. This post from Alec Pawlukiewicz provides you with pearls and pitfalls in the evaluation and management of this condition.