Intermediate
Technical
IVT
acute abdomen
Clinical syndrome of severe abdominal pain requiring urgent surgical evaluation. Editorial note: Often appears in emergency department reports and surgical consultations.
Full Definition
A clinical presentation characterized by sudden onset of severe abdominal pain, typically accompanied by signs of peritoneal irritation, requiring immediate medical attention and often emergency surgery. The term encompasses various underlying pathologies including appendicitis, bowel perforation, or vascular emergencies. In medical documentation, this phrase signals the need for rapid diagnostic workup and potential operative intervention.
Usage
Usage note: Always singular form; avoid 'acute abdomens' in formal medical writing.
In Context
- "The patient presented with classic signs of an acute abdomen, prompting immediate surgical consultation." — Emergency department report
- "CT imaging confirmed the diagnosis of acute abdomen secondary to perforated diverticulitis." — Radiology report
Also known as
surgical abdomen
Contrasted with
chronic abdomen
Don't confuse with
abdominal pain
acute appendicitis