Abdominal guarding is the tensing of the abdominal wall muscles to guard inflamed organs within the abdomen from the pain of pressure upon them. The tensing is detected when the abdominal wall is pressed. Abdominal guarding is also known as 'défense musculaire'.
Contents
- Differential diagnosis
- Laboratory findings
- Electrolyte and biomarker studies
- MRI and CT
- Echocardiography or ultrasound
- Other imaging findings
- Other diagnostic studies
- Treatment
- Pharmacotherapy
- Surgery and device based therapy
- References
Guarding is a characteristic finding in the physical examination for an abruptly painful abdomen (an acute abdomen) with inflammation of the inner abdominal (peritoneal) surface due, for example, to appendicitis or diverticulitis. The tensed muscles of the abdominal wall automatically go into spasm to keep the tender underlying tissues from being disturbed.
Differential diagnosis
Laboratory findings
Electrolyte and biomarker studies
MRI and CT
Echocardiography or ultrasound
Other imaging findings
Other diagnostic studies
Treatment
Pharmacotherapy
Surgery and device-based therapy
References
Abdominal guarding Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA