Acute abdominal pain.

Acute abdominal pain is a complaint seen commonly in the outpatient setting that has a broad and often confusing differential diagnosis. Although many presentations can be managed on an outpatient basis, several gastrointestinal causes of abdominal pain demand thoughtful consideration with subsequent referral to a higher level of care for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. To achieve this goal, outpatient physicians must have an understanding of the mechanisms of abdominal pain, as well as the common gastrointestinal causes that carry potentially higher morbidity and mortality.