Search
abdominal guarding
Etiology:
- appendicitis
- diverticulitis
- pancreatitis
- abdominal trauma
- hepatic vontusion, hepatic laceration
- splenic contusion, splenic laceration
- pneumoperitoneum secondary to abdominal trauma
- pelvic inflammatory disease
- ectopic pregnancy
- septic miscarriage (see miscarriage)
- ovarian cyst
- prostatitis
- bowel obstruction
- ileus
- pneumonia
- nephrolithiasis
- gastrointestinal perforation
- abdominal aortic aneurysm
- bacterial peritonitis
- mesenteric ischemia
- esophagitis
- pyelonephritis
- Herpes zoster
- abdominal abscess
- incarcerated hernia
- abdominal migraine
- intussusception
- volvulus
- anxiety
- malingering
Pathology:
- muscle spasm
Clinical manifestations:
- a tensing of abdminal wall muscles +/- posturing in anticipation of abdominal pain on palpation
Laboratory:
- complete blood count (CBC)
- basic metabolic panel
- liver function tests
- serum amylase, serum lipase
- urinalysis
- serum beta-chorionic gonadotropin
- cervical culture
- prostate-specific antigen
Radiology:
- abdominal CT
- abdominal ultrasound
Management:
- nothing by mouth until diagnosis is made
- see abdominal pain
General
sign/symptom
References
Wikipedia: Abdominal guarding
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdominal_guarding