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Likelihood Ratio (LR) in Emergency Medicine

1/19/2015

Run to the operation room!

Clinical Scenario

A 70 yo woman is brought to the ED by ambulance.
She’s suffering from vomit, lach of flatus and abdominal pain since 24 hours says the nurse. 
She’s pale, the abdomen shows a midline scar. There is diffused tenderness with rebound.
Abdomen US and X rays show abnormal distended loop of small bowel.

Ok, Ok I saw the images, there’s an occlusion says the surgeon at phone but, you know, I need a CT!

Are there CT findings that identify patients requiring a run to the operation room? 


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