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Differential Diagnosis for Acute Abdominal Pain

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Appendicitis: The most common cause of acute abdominal pain requiring surgical intervention, typically presenting with pain migrating to the right lower quadrant, fever, and leukocytosis.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Gastroenteritis: Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, usually caused by viral or bacterial infections, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
  • Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Especially in women, UTIs can cause acute abdominal pain, often accompanied by dysuria, frequency, and urgency.
  • Diverticulitis: Inflammation of the diverticula in the colon, typically presenting with left lower quadrant pain, fever, and changes in bowel habits.
  • Intestinal Obstruction: A blockage that prevents normal flow of the products of digestion, which can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Ectopic Pregnancy: A pregnancy in which a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, often presenting with acute abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding, which can be life-threatening if not promptly diagnosed and treated.
  • Ruptured Aortic Aneurysm: A sudden rupture of the aorta, which can cause severe, tearing abdominal pain and is immediately life-threatening.
  • Perforated Viscus: A hole in the wall of the stomach or intestine, leading to peritonitis, which is an inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity and can be fatal if not treated promptly.
  • Mesenteric Ischemia: A condition where the blood flow to the intestines is blocked, leading to tissue death, which requires immediate medical attention.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, which can cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, often associated with gallstones or excessive alcohol use.
  • Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver, which can cause right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, and fatigue.
  • Ovarian Torsion: A twisting of the ovary, which can cause severe, sudden abdominal pain and is a surgical emergency.
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Flare: Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause acute abdominal pain during a flare, along with diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue.

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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