Abdominal guarding
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Abdominal guarding is a sign where there is excessive contraction of the muscles of the abdomen with slight pressure or stimulus seen in cases of peritonitis.
Other names[edit | edit source]
Rigidity of the abdomen
Abdominal rigidity may occur with:
Causes[edit | edit source]
Causes can include:
- Abscess inside the abdomen
- Appendicitis
- Cholecystitis caused by gallstones
- Perforation of the stomach, small intestine, large bowel, or gallbladder (gastrointestinal perforation)
- Injury to the abdomen
- Peritonitis
Tests[edit | edit source]
- Barium studies of the stomach and intestines (such as an upper GI series)
- Blood work
- Colonoscopy
- Gastroscopy
- Peritoneal lavage
- Stool studies
- Urine tests
X-ray of the abdomen[edit | edit source]
X-ray of the chest
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Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
