Acute lateral abdominal pain

Some differential diagnoses and typical outline evidence

Pyelonephritis	Suggested by: pain in loin (upper lateral), rigors, fever, vomiting, frequency of micturition, renal angle tenderness
	Confirmed by: FBC: leucocytosis. MSU: pyuria, urine culture and sensitivities.
	Management: OHCM pp258, 262, 276.
Renal calculus	Suggested by: renal colic mainly in loin (upper lateral), haematuria.
	Confirmed by: urinalysis, renal ultrasound, IVU, CT/MRI.
	Management: OHCM p264.
Ureteric calculus	Suggested by: renal colic, moving from loin (upper lateral) down to RLQ, haematuria.
	Confirmed by: urinalysis, renal ultrasound, IVU, CT/MRI.
	Management: OHCM p264.
Appendicitis	Suggested by: pain initially central, then radiating to right lower quadrant, anorexia, low grade fever, constipation. RLQ tenderness and guarding.
	Confirmed by: Inflamed appendix at laparotomy
	Management: OHCM p476.
Salpingitis	Suggested by: fever, nausea, vomiting, muco-purulent cervical discharge, irregular menses. Bilateral lower abdominal tenderness and guarding.
	Confirmed by: FBC: leucocytosis. High vaginal swab, laparoscopy.