Diagnosis of the acute abdomen in the neurologically stable spinal cord-injured patient. A case study.

The diagnosis of the acute abdomen in the spinal cord injured patient is difficult. Diagnoses are often so delayed that approximately 10% of these patients die of acute abdominal problems. The presentation also varies with the level and duration of injury. An understanding of the functional neuroanatomy of the abdominal wall and viscera aids in timely diagnosis. I present an illustrative case and describe the pertinent functional neuroanatomy.