title: [Diabetic ketoacidosis presenting as acute abdomen].
abstract: Three patients, two women aged 21 and 67 and a man aged 43 years, presented at the emergency department with diabetic ketoacidosis and abdominal symptoms mimicking an acute abdominal condition. In two of them laparotomy was performed which proved to be negative. Abdominal symptoms resolved after correction of metabolic, fluid and electrolyte disturbances. Symptoms indicating a possible diagnosis of acute abdomen have to be regarded as being compatible with diabetic ketoacidosis per se. However, a potential acute abdominal problem prompting surgical intervention should not be overlooked; it may have been the precipitating factor for diabetic ketoacidosis.
authors.affiliation: Universitair Medisch Centrum, afd. Interne Geneeskunde, Utrecht.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: van de Laak
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: ter Braak
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Erkelens
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D016883:Diabetic Ketoacidosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007813:Laparotomy; D008297:Male; D019512:Pancreatitis, Alcoholic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D007328:Insulin