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Abdominal emergencies in the geriatric patient
Ryan Spangler1, Thuy Van Pham1, Danya Khoujah1
1Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 110 South Paca Street, 6th Floor, Suite 200, Baltimore 21201, MD, USA.
International Journal of Emergency Medicine
|January 31, 2015
Summary
Elderly patients frequently visit the emergency department for abdominal pain. This review covers deadly causes like mesenteric ischemia and abdominal aortic aneurysm, and diagnostic pitfalls in seniors.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Emergency Medicine
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Abdominal pain is a common emergency department complaint in the elderly.
- Prompt diagnosis is crucial due to increased morbidity and mortality in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the most lethal causes of abdominal pain in elderly patients.
- To highlight diagnostic challenges and potential misdiagnoses in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of critical causes of abdominal pain in the elderly.
- Analysis of diagnostic pitfalls associated with specific conditions.
Main Results:
- Key lethal conditions include mesenteric ischemia, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and appendicitis.
- Non-abdominal causes also present significant risks.
- Diagnostic errors are common and can have severe consequences.
Conclusions:
- Recognizing life-threatening abdominal pain causes in the elderly is critical for emergency physicians.
- Awareness of diagnostic pitfalls can improve patient outcomes.
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