Abdominal anaphylaxis presenting as trauma: a recipe for delayed diagnosis.
BACKGROUND
Successful shock management requires prompt identification, classification, and treatment; however, the triage of patients with non-hemorrhagic shock to the trauma room can lead to delayed diagnosis with increased morbidity and mortality.


OBJECTIVE
Our goal is to emphasize the importance of shock identification and classification to facilitate the delivery of the appropriate and timely therapy, no matter how the patient is triaged.


METHODS
We describe a patient triaged as a trauma patient with suspected hemorrhagic shock yet who was found to have anaphylaxis as the etiology of his condition. Abdominal anaphylaxis, a less recognized presentation of anaphylaxis, is reviewed and discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
We hope to increase awareness of a less common presentation of anaphylaxis and discuss its management.
Rankins
Kevin B
KB
Department of Emergency Medicine, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Massachusetts 01199, USA.
McGovern
Robert
R
Winston
Eleanor S
ES
Al-Dulaimy
Khaldoon
K
Pope
J Hector
JH
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014218:Triage