Case

A patient presents with abdominal pain and upon MRI a lesion is observed in the cecum. 

Question 2/2 - How would the patient most likely describe the pain sensation during the initial aspects of the condition?

Click on your selected option(s) below  (correct = 1, possible = 2, over-thinking = 3+)

Incorrect. Sharp, well localized sensation is most typical of somatic body wall/limb sensation. Only if the lesion progressed and caused irritation of the body wall would the pain become sharp and well localized.

Incorrect. Sharp pain is typical of somatic body wall/limb sensations, which would also be well localized rather than poorly localized.

Incorrect. While visceral pain can, and often is, referred to regions of the body wall, shoulder pain is typical of organs that are close to the diaphragm (e.g. gallbladder pain to the scapula, or cardiac pain to the shoulder, etc.). The cecum typically has limited referred pain.

Incorrect. Diffuse pain is typical of broad injury or organ related pain. Body wall would be well localized, but organs are usually more poorly localized. 

Correct! Classically, pain from autonomic systems results in diffuse and poorly localized pain (e.g. lower right quadrant might be as close as someone may come) or can be refereed to specific points from select organs (e.g. gallbladder to the right scapula).

Visceral pain may be mild or intense, as the magnitude of the sensation is not proportional to the character of how it is described as being perceived.

We will address different aspects of perception vs. nociception in the Brain and Behavior course. At all times we should recognize and respect the perception that a patient has of pain and not dismiss what they are reporting.