Abstract
The records of 145 paraplegic or quadriplegic patients were reviewed to identify those factors useful in the correct diagnosis of the acute abdomen in this population. Twenty-one patients had 22 episodes of acute or subacute abdominal problems. Presenting complaints, physical findings, and laboratory results were useful in various ways. However appropriate radiographic studies led to the correct diagnosis in 77% of patients. Although paraplegic and quadriplegic patients are predisposed to a distinct constellation of medical problems, including urinary tract infection and calculi, they also may present with other abdominal conditions that cause significant morbidity and mortality if not promptly recognized.
Full text
PDF





Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Blackwell R. J., Lachelin G. C., McIntosh A. S., Suter P. E. Technical points influencing the choice of an ultrasonic "B" scanner for obstetric use. Br J Radiol. 1973 Apr;46(544):259–261. doi: 10.1259/0007-1285-46-544-259. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Breithaupt D. J., Jousse A. T., Wynn-Jones M. Late Causes of Death and Life Expectancy in Paraplegia. Can Med Assoc J. 1961 Jul 8;85(2):73–77. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Charney K. J., Juler G. L., Comarr A. E. General surgery problems in patients with spinal cord injuries. Arch Surg. 1975 Sep;110(9):1083–1088. doi: 10.1001/archsurg.1975.01360150027005. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- DIETRICK R. B., RUSSI S. Tabulation and review of autopsy findings in fifty-five paraplegics. J Am Med Assoc. 1958 Jan 4;166(1):41–44. doi: 10.1001/jama.1958.02990010043009. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Dollfus P., Holderbach G. L., Husser J. M., Jacob-Chia D. Proceedings: Must appendicitis be still considered as a rare complication in paraplegia? Paraplegia. 1974 Feb;11(4):306–309. doi: 10.1038/sc.1973.44. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Donovan W. H., Dimitrijevic M. R., Dahm L., Dimitrijevic M. Neurophysiological approaches to chronic pain following spinal cord injury. Paraplegia. 1982 Jun;20(3):135–146. doi: 10.1038/sc.1982.27. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Frankel H. L. Proceedings: Accidental perforation of the rectum. Paraplegia. 1974 Feb;11(4):314–316. doi: 10.1038/sc.1973.46. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- GREENFIELD J. Abdominal operations on patients with chronic paraplegia; report of cases. Arch Surg. 1949 Nov;59(5):1077–1087. doi: 10.1001/archsurg.1949.01240041087009. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Gugenheim J., Boucherat D., Le Bivic J. L., Seguier J. C., Lagrave G. Les pièges du diagnostic des urgences abdominales chez les para et tétraplégiques. A propos de quatre observations. J Chir (Paris) 1982 Aug-Sep;119(8-9):513–516. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Ingberg H. O., Prust F. W. The diagnosis of abdominal emergencies in patients with spinal cord lesions. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1968 Jun;49(6):343–348. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Juler G. L., Eltorai I. M. The acute abdomen in spinal cord injury patients. Paraplegia. 1985 Apr;23(2):118–123. doi: 10.1038/sc.1985.20. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Miller L. S., Staas W. E., Jr, Herbison G. J. Abdominal problems in patients with spinal cord lesions. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1975 Sep;56(9):405–408. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Pool G. M. Pathological conditions obscured by paraplegia. Paraplegia. 1984 Feb;22(1):27–30. doi: 10.1038/sc.1984.8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Pool G. M. The flexion reflex as a diagnostic tool. Paraplegia. 1980 Dec;18(6):392–394. doi: 10.1038/sc.1980.68. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Tibbs P. A., Bivins B. A., Young A. B. The problem of acute abdominal disease during spinal shock. Am Surg. 1979 Jun;45(6):366–368. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- WANTEBO H. J., WEBB E., COMBS R. DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE ABDOMINAL DISEASE IN PARAPLEGIC PATIENTS. Calif Med. 1965 Sep;103:193–197. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Walsh J. J., Nuseibeh I., el-Masri W. Proceedings: Perforated peptic ulcer in paraplegia. Paraplegia. 1974 Feb;11(4):310–313. doi: 10.1038/sc.1973.45. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]