Pulmonary embolism presenting as an acute surgical abdomen

Pulmonary embolism remains a serious cause of morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis based on clinical manifestations remains difficult. Prior reviews have rarely noted the potential for patients to present with abdominal complaints. Presented here is the case of a 28-yr-old woman who had signs and symptoms of an intra-abdominal catastrophe. The patient underwent laparotomy and at surgery had findings suggesting primary intra-abdominal pathology. Autopsy results indicated that pulmonary embolism was responsible for the patient's presentation and death.