Abdominal Compartment Syndrome After Binge Eating

Abstract

Question: A 41-year-old woman with a history of eating disorder was admitted to the hospital with progressively worsening abdominal pain. Apart from the eating disorder, there were no previous illnesses in the patient’s medical history. On physical examination her abdomen was significantly distended, painful, and with signs of peritoneal irritation. Bowel sounds were absent. Laboratory examination showed a severe lactic acidosis, an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) at 20 mg/L (<5.0), as well as massive leukocytosis. The patient became hemodynamically unstable and soon needed catecholamine resuscitation. The abdominal ultrasound was limited owing to the pain and hemodynamic instability.