1
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Abdominal Pain in a
Pregnant Patient
Megan Browning,
Harvard Medical School Year III
Gillian Lieberman, MD
January 2007
2
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
(23+6 weeks gestation)
HPI
Woke with 5/10 crampy abdominal pain followed by nausea, vomiting,
Pain intensified over 12 hours
Presented to the ED at St. Luke’s Hospital
Diagnostic tests and an imaging study were inconclusive.
Monitored over next 12 hours
Transferred to BIDMC 24 hours after the onset of pain
ROS
Occasional flatus
No hx of pain after eating, flank pain, dys/hematuria, hematochezia, melana,
vaginal discharge, new sexual partners, PID, no ingestion of exotic
foods/undercooked meats
Ms.O is a 21yo pregnant female
3
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Physical Exam (pertinent points)
Vitals T 99.4 BP 123/79 P 91 O2sat 98%
HEENT Dry mucous membranes
Abdomen Gravid, Distended, marked RUQ and moderate diffuse
abdominal tenderness, no rebound or guarding, negative
Rovsing’s sign
Pertinent Labs
WBC 13.9
UA negative
LFTs normal
Amylase and Lipase normal
Ms.O’s story continues
4
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Acute Appendicitis
Acute Cholecystitis
Intestinal Obstruction
Nephrolithiasis
Gastroenteritis
*Special concerns during pregnancy*
Ligamentous Laxity, Preterm Labor, Abruption,
Miscarriage, and Ovarian Torsion
DDX: abdominal pain in the pregnant patient
5
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Netter,2003
RLQ Anatomy
Female pelvic anatomy
The female abdomen and pelvis is full of
structures that may develop pathology and
result in abdominal pain. The history,
physical, labs, and studies, help narrow the
list of possible offenders.
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Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Anatomy of the appendix
The vermiform appendix projects off of the cecum
distal to the ileocecal valve.
http://z.about.com/d/p/440/e/f/7028.jpg
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Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Definition Inflammation of the appendix due to obstruction by
fecalith (appendicolith), lymphoid hyperplasia, or
rarely, parasite, foreign bodies, or tumor
Classic
Presentation Peri-umbilical (visceral) pain followed by nausea and
vomiting that ultimately migrates to become right
lower quadrant (somatic) pain within 24 hours
Associated
Findings Rovsing’s sign, leukocytosis (>10,000) , tachycardia, hypotension
Incidence during
Pregnancy 0.05-0.07% (similar to general population)
Acute Appendicitis
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Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Diagnostic Challenges in Pregnancy
www.pamf.org/pregnancy/first www.pamf.org/pregnancy/thirdwww.pamf.org/pregnancy/second
Anatomic Changes
Enlarging uterus displaces appendix cephalad
Separation of visceral & parietal peritoneum (impaired pain localization)
Physiologic Changes
Masking of leukocytosis (normal pregnancy WBC range 6-16,000)
Increased blood volume blunts tachycardia and hypotension
Creasy, 1984.
1st trimester 2nd trimester 3rd trimester
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Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
A pregnant woman with
appendicitis
Increased risk of perforation
(43%) compared to general
population 4-19%)
If perforation occurs, risk of
fetal mortality increases from
1.5% to up to 35%
Appendectomy during
pregnancy
Usual risks of surgery
Spontaneous abortion
Preterm labor
premature delivery
Appendicitis in pregnancy: a risky situation
Levine, 2006 and Augustin, 2006
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Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Imaging studies in appendicitis
Key Findings
Diameter > 7mm
Fluid filled structure
Wall thickening >3mm
periappendiceal fluid
Appendicolith
CT Scan
Sensitivity 94% Specificity 95%
Ultrasound
Sensitivity 86% Specificity 81%
MRI
Sensitivity 100% Specificity 94%
Humes and Simpson,2006 and Pedrosa et al, 2006
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Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Frontal Plain Film
Appendicolith
(Lateral to S.I. Joint)
http://www.learningradiology.com
Companion Patient #1: Appendicolith
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Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Companion Patients #2 and 3:
Appendicitis on CT Scan
Mullins, Rhea and Novelline, 2003
Blind tip
Appendicolith
fat stranding
Findings:
Image from PACS
Exposure to ionizing radiation.
Drawback:
11 mm appendix
CT with colon contrast
CT with oral contrast
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Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Graded-Compression Sonography
Benefits: readily available and no associated ionizing radiation
Drawbacks: operator dependent, pain and/or gravid uterus may hinder
exam, a normal or perforated appendix may not be visualized
MRI
Benefits: no ionizing radiation and excellent sensitivity and specificity
Drawbacks: limited availability, contraindications, cost, claustrophobia
Appendiceal Imaging modalities during
Pregnancy
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Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Companion Patients #4 and 5: Appendicitis on
Graded-Compression Sonography
Compress abdomen with high resolution transducer
Identify terminal ileum
Scan for cecal tip and adjacent appendix
How is it performed?
Enlarged, fluid-filled appendix
Appendicolith
Periappendiceal
Inflammation
What are the findings?
Sivit and Applegate, 2003Sivit and Applegate, 2003
Transverse
US
Sagittal
US
Sagittal
US
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Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Companion patient #6: Appendicitis on MRI
Dilated tubular appendix
Periappendiceal edema
C=cecum, U=uterus
Pedrosa et al, 2006
Oral contrast is given 1 hour prior to the study
Patients are placed feet first into the magnet.
Numerous images* are obtained during breath holds (20-24 seconds)
Exam time takes approximately 30 minutes
How is it performed?
What are the findings?
Coronal fat-sat SSFSE Sagittal SSFSE
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Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Advantages of MRI Protocols
HASTE or SSFSE images have less motion artifact and can visualize
periappendiceal fat stranding
Fat-saturated T-2 images reveal high-intensity-signal inflammatory fluid
Fat-saturated T-1 images reveal hemorrhage
Safety of MRI in Pregnancy
Radiofrequency pulses may cause tissue heating
No adverse fetal affects have been linked to MRI
Gadolinium is used cautiously in 2nd and 3rd trimesters, avoided in the 1st
Current Practice at BIDMC
Perform MRI only when ultrasound is inconclusive
Use extra caution with MRI during the first trimester
MRI in Pregnancy
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Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Back to our patient...
Ms.0 is tearful and complaining of continuous
8/10 pain in her abdomen—worst in her RUQ
She undergoes Graded-Compression Sonography
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Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Our Patient Ms.O’s Ultrasound Study
No appendix is visualized.
normal gallbladder normal rt. ovary
(good flow on doppler)
Proximal ureter 1.6 cm
Rt.Hydronephrosis (common in pregnancy)
Sagittal gallbladder Sagittal rt. ovary
Sagittal rt. kidney
Images from PACS
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Ms.O’s MRI Imaging Study
Normal caliber, non-fluid filled Appendicolith (intraluminal low-signal-intensity foci)
Distal Appendix
Proximal Appendix Mid Appendix (site of obstruction)
9mm diameter,
high-signal-intensity
fluid-filled lumen
Axial SSFSE Images with oral contrast
Right hydronephrosis
Images from PACS
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Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Coronal SSFSE with oral contrast
Appendiceal Tip
8.75mm diameter
(normal <7mm)
High intensity fluid
within lumen
Minimal periappendiceal
inflammation
More of Ms.O’s MRI Imaging Study
Image from PACS
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Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Diagnosis Acute appendicitis involving the distal 3.5 cm
Intervention Emergent appendectomy with removal of
mottled appendix and perforated tip
Pathologic Diagnosis Acute gangrenous appendicitis,
average diameter 1.3 cm and obstructing fecalith in the lumen.
Outcome Ms.O recovers gradually and is sent home on post-op
day 9 in stable condition.
Ms.O’s hospital course
22
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Clinical signs and symptoms of appendicitis may be masked
Delayed diagnosis may lead to perforation
Surgery may lead to premature delivery and fetal loss
Ultrasound is the initial imaging modality of choice
MRI is performed if the ultrasound is inconclusive
Key findings include an enlarged fluid-filled appendix and
periappendiceal inflammation
Take Home Points Appendicitis in Pregnancy
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Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Netter F. H., M.D. Atlas of Human Anatomy, Third Edition; John T. Hansen, Ph.D. Consulting
Editor. Teterboro, NJ.: Icon Learning Systems, 2003.
Creasy R.K., M.D., Resnick R., M.D. Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Principles and Practice;
Philidelphia, PA.: W.B. Saunders Company, 1984.
Levine D., MD. Obstetric MRI. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging 2006; 24: 1-15.
Goran Augustin, Mate Majerovic, Non-obstetrical acute abdomen during pregnancy, European
Journal of Obstetrics&Gynecology and Reproductive Biology (2006),
doi:10.10/ejogrb.2006.07.052
Humes D., Simpson, J. Acute Appendicitis. BMJ 2006; 333: 530-534.
Pedrosa I., M.D., Levine D., M.D., Eyvassadeh A., M.D., Siewert B., M.D., Ngo L., Ph.D.,
Rofsky N., M.D. MR Imaging Evaluation of Acute Appendicitis in Pregnancy. Radiology 2006;
238: 891-899.
Mullins M., Rhea J, Novelline R. Review of Suspected Acute Appendicitis in Adults and
Children using CT and Colonic Contrast Material. Seminars in Ultrasound, CT, and MRI 2003;
24: 107-113.
Sivit C., Applegate K. Imaging of Acute Appendicitis in Children. Seminars in Ultrasound, CT,
and MRI 2003; 24: 74-82.
Brown M., Birchard K., Smelka R. Magnetic Resonance Evaluation of Pregnant Patients with
Acute Abdominal Pain. Seminars in Ultrasound CT and MRI 2005; 26: 206-211.
http://z.about.com/d/p/440/e/f/7028.jpg
http://www.learningradiology.com/images/giimages1/gigallerypages/appendicolith.jpg
http://www.pamf.org/pregnancy/first/fetal.html
References
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Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Pamela Lepkowski
Larry Barbaras, Webmaster
Acknowledgements
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Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Megan Browning, HMSIII
Gillian Lieberman, MD
any
?’s
Baby O. courtesy of BIDMC PACS
�Abdominal Pain in a Pregnant Patient
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Anatomy of the appendix
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Back to our patient...
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