Acute Onset of Abdominal Pain in a 76-Year-Old Man
Background
A 76-year-old man presents to the emergency department (ED) complaining of a sudden onset of abdominal pain.
The pain started about 4 hours before presentation to the ED and has been persistent; it is present in the upper abdomen and is centered in the epigastrium. He describes the pain as deep and burning. There is no associated nausea or vomiting. He does not report any changes in his bowel habits and has not experienced any recent fevers. The review of systems is also negative for any recent unintended weight loss or trauma. The patient also reports having had "indigestion" in the past that caused pain similar to what he is currently experiencing, though much less in intensity. His past medical history is significant for coronary artery disease and hypertension. He takes two medications, both for his high blood pressure, but does not drink excessively and does not smoke.
On physical examination, the patient is pale and in obvious severe discomfort. His heart rate is 122 bpm, and his blood pressure is 110/65 mm Hg. He is breathing with rapid shallow breaths at a rate greater than 30 breaths/min. His temperature is normal at 99.2ºF (37.3ºC), and a pulse oximetry reading while the patient is breathing room air shows a saturation rate of 100%. The cardiovascular and respiratory findings are unremarkable. The patient has significant tenderness in the epigastric region, with a rigid abdomen. There is little to no tenderness to palpation in the lower quadrants; a reliable assessment of the upper quadrants is not possible because of the tenderness in the epigastric region. Hyperactive bowel sounds are heard on auscultation. The patient's stool is brown and guaiac positive.
An electrocardiogram is performed and is noted to be unremarkable except for sinus tachycardia. A complete blood count (CBC) and a chemistry panel are sent. The CBC reveals a mild anemia, with a hemoglobin concentration of 127 g/L (12.7 g/dL). On the chemistry panel, there is evidence of a slight azotemia, with a blood urea nitrogen level (BUN) of 17.1 mmol/L (48 mg/dL) and a creatinine value of 106 µmol/L (1.2 mg/dL). The remainder of the laboratory investigations are unremarkable. Plain radiographs of the abdomen are performed.
What is Diagnosis?
Hint: Both the inner and the outer walls of the bowel are visible.
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