emDocs - September 07, 2020 - By Schandel C, Chrabaszcz S and Clinton M
Reviewed by Boushra M, Koyfman A and Long B
"Summary
- Undifferentiated abdominal pain presents a unique diagnostic challenge to emergency medicine physicians due to the breadth of potential pathology. Risk stratification of the differential diagnosis through focused history and physical examination is of utmost importance.
- Expand the differential diagnosis as appropriate based on the patient’s risk factors and history, especially if the patient is presenting multiple times for similar complaints. Organize the differential diagnoses into several categories: cannot miss, common diagnoses, and zebras."