Efficacy of Noncontrast Computed Tomography of the Abdomen and Pelvis for Evaluating Nontraumatic Acute Abdominal Pain in the Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) clarity has significantly improved since it became widely available in the early 1980s, making the utility and benefit of contrast material for image quality of the abdomen and pelvis uncertain, and so far, minimally studied. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess the efficacy of a noncontrast CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis by evaluating patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute nontraumatic abdominal pain by following them for 7 days and observing for signs and symptoms of clinically significant acute emergent pathology. METHODS: We enrolled, and for 7 days followed, a prospective observational convenience sample of patients who received a noncontrast CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis in the ED for acute nontraumatic abdominal pain. The primary outcome, and defined as a failure, was abdominal surgery or death as the result of an intraabdominal process not found on the original noncontrast CT scan, or a subsequent contrasted CT scan with a finding that could explain the original complaint of abdominal pain that was also not seen on the initial noncontrast CT, during the 7-day observation. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients were enrolled in the study. The incidence of failure was 0% (0/72), 46% of patients (33/72) had a negative CT scan, 54% (39/72) had a positive CT scan, 57% (41/72) were admitted, 43% (31/72) discharged, 11% (8/72) had abdominal surgery, and a repeat contrasted CT scan was done on 4% (3/72). CONCLUSIONS: With certain inclusion and exclusion criteria, noncontrast CT of the abdomen and pelvis is likely a reliable diagnostic modality for the evaluation of acute nontraumatic abdominal pain in the ED.

Acute ischemic colitis secondary to air embolism after diving.

Ischemic colitis (IC) secondary to air embolism from decompression sickness or barotrauma during diving is an extremely rare condition. After extensive review of the available literature, we found that there has been only one reported case of IC secondary to air embolism from diving. Although air embolization from diving and the various medical complications that follow have been well documented, the clinical manifestation of IC from an air embolism during diving is very rare and thus far unstudied. Common symptoms of IC include abdominal pain, bloody or non-bloody diarrhea or nausea or vomiting or any combination. Emergency physicians and Critical Care specialists should consider IC as a potential diagnosis for a patient with the above-mentioned symptoms and a history of recent diving. We report a case of IC from air embolism after a routine dive to 75 feet below sea level in a 53-year-old White female who presented to a community Emergency Department complaining of a 2-day history of diffuse abdominal pain and nausea. She was diagnosed by colonoscopy with biopsies and treated conservatively with antibiotics, bowel rest, and a slow advancement in diet.

ACE Inhibitor-Induced Angioedema of the Bowel.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor ACEI-induced angioedema of the intestine is a rare occurrence and often unrecognized complication of ACEI. We present a case of a 45-year-old Hispanic female with angioedema of the small bowel progressing to facial and oral pharyngeal angioedema. Patients are typically middle-aged females on ACEI therapy who present to the emergency department with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This is a diagnosis of exclusion, and physicians must have a high index of suspicion to make the diagnosis. Symptoms typically resolve within 24-48 hours after ACE inhibitor withdrawal. Recognizing these signs and symptoms, and discontinuing the medication, can save a patient from unnecessary, costly, and invasive procedures.