Common presentations of non-traumatic acute abdomen on Ultrasound in patients presenting to the Emergency Department of Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar
Keywords:
Abdomen, Acute, Abdominal Pain, Ultrasonography, Diagnostic ultrasound, Appendicitis, Emergency Service, HospitalAbstract
Background: Abdominal pain commonly brings patients to the emergency room, some of may require emergency intervention due to acute abdomen. Ultrasound offers a non-invasive tool to investigate underlying pathology and reduce diagnostic errors as well as unneeded laparotomies.
Objective: To determine the causative spectrum of non-traumatic acute abdomen as detected by abdominal ultrasound in patients presenting to Emergency Department of Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar.
Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Emergency department of Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, from 1st June- 31st August 2016. Non-probability convenience sampling was used to collect data of 400 patients of non-traumatic acute abdomen after informed consent and approval from hospital ethical board. Questionnaire included demographic data, clinical and laboratory findings, and ultrasound data; diagnoses were obtained and confirmed from patient records. Data analysis was done through SPSS 20 for descriptive statistics.
Results: Of 400 patients, 245(61.3%) were males and 155(38.8%) females. Most, 189(47.3%) were aged between 21-30 years, and 160(40.0%) had significant radiological findings on ultrasound, of whom 39.4% had renal stones, 21.3% had appendicitis and 16.9% had cholelithiasis; cholecystitis was present in 11.3%, acute pancreatitis in 08.1%, and choledocholithiasis in 03.1%.
Conclusion: Renal stone was the most common presentation, followed by appendicitis in patients visiting emergency department of a major public tertiary care hospital of Peshawar.
