title: Abdominal surgical emergencies in the elderly.
abstract: The evaluation of abdominal pain can be considerably more challenging in elderly patients. A higher likelihood of life-threatening pathology combined with a myriad of diagnostic pitfalls in this population mandate a more cautious approach with greater use of diagnostic resources and specialist consultation.
authors.affiliation: Harry and Ruth Roman Department of Emergency Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, 2362 Outpost Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068, USA. mhendrickson@sbcglobal.net
authors.forename: Matt
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hendrickson
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Naparst
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D004630:Emergencies; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D016743:Mental Competency; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations