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Likelihood Ratio (LR) in Emergency Medicine

3/07/2013

Diagnosis of diverticulitis with hands and blood tests. Is it a good idea?


Clinical Scenario

A 66 yo man complains of left lower quadrant (LLQ) abdominal pain from 4/5 hours. The pain is described as crampy initially, than continuous, there is not vomit. Temperature is 37.5°C. Abdomen is treatable, with moderate pain and tenderness localized at LLQ , there is not history of prior abdominal surgery. 
ED US excluded the specter of an AAA.
WBC 13.000/μl
CPR: 51 mg/L

Probably this patient suffers of an acute diverticulitis. 
Is it an urgent imaging necessary to confirm the diagnosis? 


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