REBEL Core Cast – Basics of EM – Diffuse and Flank Abdominal Pain

Take Home Points

• Diffuse abdominal pain can be anything – keep a broad differential and work from there
• Old patient and flank pain = aortic catastrophe – aortic dissections and aneurysms can knock off flow to the kidneys
• Appendicitis and diverticulitis can presents diffusely early in their clinical presentation before they localize
• Kidney stones are tricky – perform a POCUS and get the CT to evaluate the large and obstructing stones
• Think about next steps – do they need the OR? If so, get coags/type and screen/ekg to speed up time to intervention
• Can’t tolerate PO intake – DO NOT DISCHARGE

REBEL Core Cast – Basics of EM – Diffuse and Flank Abdominal Pain

Click here for Direct Download of the Podcast

Co-Host

James F. Martin, MD
Associate Clinical Professor – Rutgers RWJ
Monmouth Medical Center– RWJBarnabas
Long Branch, NJ

Post Peer Reviewed By: Anand Swaminathan, MD (Twitter: @EMSwami)