[Acute abdomen in immunoreaction mediated diseases]

Assessment of the acute abdomen as a real or simulated complication in immunovasculitis is extremely difficult. Despite modern laboratory and imaging procedures, the number of false diagnoses is considerable, and a superfluous, falsely indicated emergency laparotomy can be just as fatal as the failure to perform a necessary surgical intervention. It is important to do a careful follow-up, including sonography and possibly laparoscopy, and to bear in mind the experience of H. Bailey with PSH that complications are often suspected but only seldom found.