Gastroenterology
Case 17: A Patient with Worsening Upper Abdominal Pain
CASE
A 78‐year‐old woman presents to hospital as an emergency with upper abdominal pain. This had been occurring on and off over the preceding months but has been getting worse. On admission she is febrile with a temperature of 39°C. Her pulse is 110 beats/min, and her BP is 100/70 mmHg She has jaundice but no other signs of liver disease. Abdominal examination reveals some diffuse upper abdominal tenderness but no masses.
Blood tests showed:
Hb 12.5 g/dL WCC 15.7 × 109/L Platelets 172 × 109/L Na 137 mmol/L K 3.9 mmol/L Urea 8.4 mmol/L Creatinine 120 µmol/L Albumin 30 g/L Bilirubin 140 µmol/L ALP 450 U/L AST 110 U/L
QUESTION 1
Your score this session: 0 of 0
Which clinical term best describes this patient's presentation?