A structure to the acute abdomen and acute abdominal pain - what is acute abdomen, what are the causes of acute abdomen and the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain? Acute abdomen examination (causes by location) as well as history and acute abdomen signs and symptoms. We also take a look at how an acute abdomen is managed.

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Timestamps:
0:00 What is an acute abdomen?
0:23 Causes of acute abdomen / Causes of acute abdominal pain
2:40 Diagnosis of acute abdomen / Diagnosis of acute abdominal pain - Causes of acute abdomen by location
4:35 Diagnosis of acute abdomen / Diagnosis of acute abdominal pain - History
6:40 Acute abdomen physical exam / Acute abdominal pain physical exam
8:17 Diagnosis of acute abdomen / Diagnosis of acute abdominal pain - Labs and Imaging
10:01 Treatment of acute abdomen / Treatment of acute abdominal pain

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Disclaimer: Please remember this video and all content from Rhesus Medicine is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a guide to diagnose or to treat any form of condition. The content is not to be used to guide clinical practice and is not medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.

References

MSD Manuals Professional Edition (2025) Acute abdominal pain. Reviewed/Revised Jul 2024; Modified Jul 2024. Available at: https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-gb/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/acute-abdomen-and-surgical-gastroenterology/acute-abdominal-pain
BMJ Best Practice (2025) Evaluation of acute abdomen. Last reviewed: 23 Dec 2025; Last updated: 22 Jul 2025. Available at: https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-us/503
BMJ Best Practice (2025) Acute appendicitis: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Last reviewed: 27 Dec 2025; Last updated: 17 Apr 2025. Available at: https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/290
BMJ Best Practice (2025) Imaging and investigations for abdominal pain. Available at: https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/787/diagnosis-approach
NICE Guidelines NG156 (2025) Abdominal aortic aneurysm: diagnosis and management. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng156/chapter/recommendations

Acute Abdomen