A 65-year-old woman with no significant past medical history presents to the emergency department with a 2-day history of left lower quadrant abdominal pain. The patient denies nausea and vomiting, although she claims decreased oral intake. She also reports a low-grade fever and mild diarrhea. She describes a milder episode several years ago, which resolved on its own. On physical examination, the patient is found to have left lower quadrant tenderness with some mild guarding, but no rebound. She is hemodynamically stable, and her heart rate is 82 per minute. In the initial management of this patient, which of the following is the most sensitive diagnostic test?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Abdominal/pelvic CT with oral contrast is the most sensitive diagnostic test for evaluating left lower quadrant abdominal pain, especially when suspecting diverticulitis, as in this case scenario. It can provide detailed images of the colon and surrounding structures, helping to confirm the diagnosis and assess for complications.

A 65-Year-Old Woman with No Significant Past Medical History Presents