Name two abdominal/pelvic red flags that would prompt urgent referral in a patient with MSK symptoms.

Name two abdominal/pelvic red flags that would prompt urgent referral in a patient with MSK symptoms.

• A. Chronic mild abdominal discomfort with no fever.
• B. Pulsatile abdominal mass alone without fever.
• C. New-onset severe abdominal or flank pain with fever, or a pulsatile abdominal mass.
• D. Intermittent mild abdominal pain with no fever.

Answer: (C)

In musculoskeletal patients, certain abdominal/pelvic symptoms signal life-threatening issues and require urgent referral. A pulsatile abdominal mass raises the concern for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which can rupture and is a medical emergency. New-onset severe abdominal or flank pain with fever points to an acute surgical abdomen or an infectious/inflammatory process that needs rapid evaluation. The option that includes either of these two scenarios—the appearance of severe, new abdominal or flank pain with fever, or a pulsatile abdominal mass—best captures the red flags that trigger urgent referral. Mild, chronic, or intermittent pain without fever does not prompt urgent action, and while a pulsatile mass alone is concerning, the combination of either severe new pain with fever or a pulsatile mass clearly indicates an urgent need for assessment.

In musculoskeletal patients, certain abdominal/pelvic symptoms signal life-threatening issues and require urgent referral. A pulsatile abdominal mass raises the concern for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which can rupture and is a medical emergency. New-onset severe abdominal or flank pain with fever points to an acute surgical abdomen or an infectious/inflammatory process that needs rapid evaluation. The option that includes either of these two scenarios—the appearance of severe, new abdominal or flank pain with fever, or a pulsatile abdominal mass—best captures the red flags that trigger urgent referral. Mild, chronic, or intermittent pain without fever does not prompt urgent action, and while a pulsatile mass alone is concerning, the combination of either severe new pain with fever or a pulsatile mass clearly indicates an urgent need for assessment.