What Tests Are Used to Confirm the Diagnosis of Abdominal Membranitis?

Update Date: Source: Network

Peritonitis is a serious disease caused by bacterial infection and damage, which usually manifests as abdominal organ infection, necrosis, or perforation. Typically, patients may experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and other discomforts.

Although the symptoms of peritonitis are relatively obvious, confirmation of the diagnosis requires medical examinations. Peritonitis can be diagnosed through white blood cell tests and abdominal X-rays.

Peritonitis is a common and serious surgical disease caused by bacterial infection, chemical irritation, or damage. Most cases are secondary peritonitis, originating from infections, necrosis, perforation, and trauma of abdominal organs. The main clinical manifestations include abdominal pain, muscle tension, nausea, vomiting, fever, and in severe cases, hypotension and systemic toxic reactions. If not treated promptly, patients may die from toxic shock.

Some patients may develop complications such as pelvic abscess, intestinal abscess, subphrenic abscess, iliac fossa abscess, and adhesive intestinal obstruction. White blood cell count may be elevated, but in severe cases or when the body's response is low, the white blood cell count may not be elevated, and only the proportion of neutrophils or the appearance of toxic granules may increase.

Abdominal X-ray examination may reveal general intestinal distension and multiple small air-fluid levels indicative of intestinal paralysis. When gastrointestinal perforation occurs, free gas under the diaphragm is often visible, which is of great significance in diagnosis. Weak patients or patients who cannot stand for fluoroscopy due to shock can undergo lateral radiography to detect the presence of free gas.

If further auxiliary examinations are needed for diagnosis, such as rectal examination, pelvic examination, diagnostic laparoscopy in a semi-recumbent position, and posterior fornix puncture examination for women. The etiology can be determined based on the color, odor, nature, and microscopic examination of the fluid obtained through puncture, as well as quantitative determination of amylase levels. Bacterial culture can also be performed. If the abdominal fluid is less than 100ml, diagnostic abdominal puncture may not be successful.

To confirm the diagnosis, diagnostic abdominal lavage can be performed to provide reliable information. In cases where the etiology is difficult to determine but surgical intervention is indicated, laparotomy should be performed as soon as possible to detect and manage the primary lesion in a timely manner.