Abstract

*Kesarwani Abhinav, Pardeshi C. Z., Das Ankur Gopendra, Yadav Parth and Khairnar Nitinchandra

ABSTRACT

Background: The acute abdomen remains a challenge to surgeons and other physicians. Abdominal pain is the most common cause for hospital admission. The term, acute abdomen, is often used synonymously for a condition that requires immediate operative intervention. The aim of the present study is to analyse modes of presentation of acute abdomen and to compare the efficacy of clinical diagnosis with that of radiological diagnosis. Materials and methods: 100 cases of acute abdomen admitted in Krishna Hospital, Karad from December 2015 to June 2017, fulfilling the inclusion criteria of the study, were prospectively analysed regarding clinical features and also assessed the effectiveness and role of radiological investigation in the diagnosis of these conditions. The radiologic investigations included plain abdominal radiographs, ultrasonography and computed tomography. Results: Acute abdomen was more common in 2nd-5th decade of life and in males. Acute appendicitis forms the commonest cause of acute abdomen. Hollow viscus perforation being the 2nd and intestinal obstruction forms the 3rd commonest cause of acute abdomen. Abdominal pain was the commonest symptom. Positive x-ray findings are found in 83.82% of the cases of acute abdomen. Ultrasound abdomen accurately diagnosed appendicitis in 83.33% of patients. Surgeon?s clinical diagnostic accuracy was found to be superior to the radiologic diagnostic accuracy. Conclusions: As there are many causes of acute abdominal pain, a systematic approach is necessary to narrow the differential diagnosis. A well conducted history and a proper clinical examination are the most important components in diagnosing patients with an acute abdomen. The clinical and radiological findings are complementary to each other.