| When to Refer to a Gastroenterologist | |
| Unable
to make a definitive diagnosis Need for endoscopic procedure for diagnosis Irritable bowel syndrome refractory to standard therapy Suspected ischemic bowel (chronic) Suspected diverticulitis Suspected ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease Suspected pancreatitis Suspected pancreatic carcinoma |
|
| When to Refer to Other Specialists | |
| Surgeon | Acute abdomen
on physical examination Hemodynamic instability Free intraperitoneal air on radiographs Suspected bowel obstruction Suspected acute mesenteric ischemia Suspected acute appendicitis Suspected acute cholecystitis or biliary colic |
| Urologist | Nephrolithiasis
with fever or complete ureteral obstruction Nephrolithiasis with solitary kidney or failure to pass stone within 6 weeks Nephrolithiasis with stone > 7 mm diameter |
| Gynecologist | Suspected
adnexal torsion Lower abdominal pain and positive pregnancy test Suspected pelvic inflammatory disease Suspected endometriosis |