Chapter 6 – Geriatric Trauma
Abstract While elderly patients comprise a small percentage of total major trauma patients (8–12%), they represent a disproportionate percentage of trauma mortalities and costs (15–30%, Figures 6.1 and 6.2). Chapter…
Chapter 5 – Pediatric Trauma
Abstract Trauma evaluation and management often focuses on protocols, especially in adults. In children, however, special considerations are made based on epidemiology, physiology, and mechanisms of injury on the location…
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Introduction Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined as a “condition which develops when the reflux of gastric contents causes troublesome symptoms or complications.” The estimated prevalence of GERD in North America is…
Esophagitis
Introduction Abdominal pain and chest pain represent the two most prevalent pain complaints to the US emergency departments each year at 8.6% and 5.2%, respectively. Of those presenting with chest…
Atypical Chest Wall Pain
Introduction The initial evaluation for chest pain must rule out potentially life-threatening cardiac and pulmonary causes. However, the majority of chest pain cases are actually noncardiac in origin and typically…
Postherpetic Neuralgia
Introduction Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a neuropathic pain syndrome that occurs following an acute episode of herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles . As with other manifestations of neuropathic pain,…
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Introduction IBS has a worldwide prevalence rate of 5%–20% , and makes up ~25% of “functional gastrointestinal disorders” diagnoses. Functional abdominal pain is difficult to define, diffuse (not localized), and…
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Introduction Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition that comprises two different clinical diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The Centers for…
Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia
Introduction Chronic mesenteric ischemia develops due to insufficient blood flow within the splanchnic vasculature, most typically in the presence of a gradually occlusive disease state like atherosclerosis. An estimated one-fifth…
Chronic Abdominal Wall Pain
Introduction Between 10% and 30% of patients presenting to gastroenterologists with chronic abdominal pain have chronic abdominal wall pain (CAWP). These patients often undergo unnecessary procedures and tests while their…
