Medicine
Differential Diagnosis of Right Lower Quadrant Abdominal Pain
Quick fact
In women of reproductive age, the differential for right lower quadrant pain includes a wider range of gynecologic emergencies—such as ovarian torsion and ectopic pregnancy—that can mimic appendicitis, sometimes leading to unnecessary appendectomy.
Why this is interesting
Imagine a patient pointing to the lower right side of their belly. Which of dozens of possible conditions could be the culprit—and how would you tell them apart without a CT scanner?