[Management of acute abdomen in clinical acute and emergency medicine : Focus on gastrointestinal diseases].

Acute abdomen can represent a serious clinical condition with a variety of different and potentially life-threatening underlying causes. Rapid identification of the underlying etiology through a structured approach and the prompt initiation of adequate diagnostic and treatment measures is highly relevant in order to reduce the patient's mortality risk. This article provides an overview of important differential diagnoses of an acute abdomen and describes recommended diagnostic and therapeutic measures that are relevant in acute and emergency clinical care.