Nonspecific abdominal pain

There is no consensus regarding the definition of acute nonspecific abdominal pain (NSAP); however, it accounts for 5–10% of all admissions to the emergency department (ED). The underlying conditions of NSAP comprise a spectrum of undiagnosed conditions, both somatic and functional, but its diagnosis remains a “diagnosis of exclusion.” In general, however, NSAP conditions can be classified requiring urgent treatment or a nonurgent management. Several authors have attempted to give guidelines for the diagnosis and management of NSAP. Management of acute NSAP could be divided into three stages: the first one includes patient’s medical history, physical examination, baseline investigations, and formulation of differential diagnosis. The second stage involves the use of radiological techniques, when needed. The third stage should be represented by diagnostic laparoscopy. The following chapter focuses on the most recent findings in the worldwide literature to date.