Unusual presentation of coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19): two cases of  acute abdomen.

Josephine Nsaful; Florence  Dedey; David  Olayiwola; Benjamin  Fenu; Joe Nat Clegg-Lamptey

doi:10.46829/hsijournal.2021.12.2.2.277-280

Josephine Nsaful Department of Medicine, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana
Florence Dedey Department of Medicine, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana
David Olayiwola Department of Medicine, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana
Benjamin Fenu Department of Medicine, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana
Joe Nat Clegg-Lamptey Department of Medicine, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46829/hsijournal.2021.12.2.2.277-280

Keywords: COVID-19, acute abdomen, SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Two cases of acute abdomen presented as a “surgical abdomen”, one had a negative laparotomy and negative PCR test, the other did not have surgery and tested positive on PCR testing. Both were incidentally diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia on chest CT scan and managed accordingly. It is unclear whether reported gastrointestinal manifestations are a direct causal effect of the virus in the GI tract. Surgeons should be aware that COVID-19 can present as a “surgical abdomen” which may lead to negative laparotomies.