CPS CASE 181. The Right Angle

The isolated symptom of abdominal distention is frequently explained by functional gastrointestinal disorders such as the irritable bowel syndrome, but when it is accompanied by early satiety, fatigue, and dyspnea, more serious conditions such as ascites, gastrointestinal hypomotility or obstruction, or an intraabdominal mass should be considered.

腹部膨満それだけでは過敏性腸症候群のような機能性胃腸障害によって説明されることが多いが、早期満腹感、倦怠感、息切れを伴うと、より深刻な病態、例えば腹水、胃腸の運動低下や閉塞、あるいは腹腔内腫瘍を考慮すべきである。