Abdominal pain.
Evaluation of the elderly patient with acute abdominal pain is sometimes difficult. Various factors can obscure the presentation, delaying or preventing the correct diagnosis and leading to adverse patient outcomes. Clinicians must consider multiple diagnoses, especially those life-threatening conditions that require timely intervention to limit morbidity and mortality. This article reviews abdominal pain in the elderly, discusses the clinical approach, and highlights key diagnostic considerations.
Yeh
Ernest L
EL
Department of Emergency Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Temple University Hospital, 3401 North Broad Street, 1011, 10th Floor Jones Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA. ernest.yeh@temple.edu
McNamara
Robert M
RM
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004240:Diverticulum / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans