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appendicitis

 
American Heritage Dictionary:

ap·pen·di·ci·tis

(ə-pĕn'dĭ-sī'tĭs) pronunciation
n.
Inflammation of the vermiform appendix.

[New Latin, from Latin appendix, appendic-, appendage. See appendix.]

WORD HISTORY   Even though the word appendicitis was in use in 1885, the year in which the Oxford English Dictionary published the section "Anta-Battening" that would have contained the word, the editor, James Murray, omitted this "crack-jaw medical and surgical word" on the advice of Oxford's Regius Professor of Medicine, Sir Henry Wentworth Acland. As K.M. Elisabeth Murray, the granddaughter and biographer of James Murray, points out, "The problem of what scientific words to include was a continuing one, and James Murray was always under pressure-from his advisers . . . who thought the emphasis should be on words from good literature and from those in the [Oxford University] Press who wanted to save cost and time-not to include scientific words of recent origin." In 1902 no less a person than Edward VII had his appendix removed, and his coronation was postponed because of the operation. Appendicitis hence came into widespread use and has remained so, thereby pointing up the lexicographer's difficult task of selecting the new words that people will look for in their dictionaries.


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An inflammation of the vermiform appendix. Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of emergency abdominal surgery, occurring in 5–6% of the population of the United States. It develops when the lumen of the appendix becomes obstructed, usually by fecal material, a foreign body, or hyperplasia of lymphatic tissue that is normally present in the wall of the appendix. The obstructed appendix becomes distended because of continued secretion of mucus by the lining cells. Typically, acute appendicitis progresses from obstruction of the lumen and distention of the appendix to spread of the inflammation beyond the appendix. Initially, there is localized peritonitis confined to the area of the appendix. If unrecognized and untreated, this may progress to an inflammatory mass or abscess, or to perforation of the appendix with resultant diffuse peritonitis, generalized toxic reaction, and even death. See also Appendix (anatomy); Peritonitis.

The usual progression of symptoms includes pain in the region around the navel; loss of appetite, nausea, and occasionally vomiting; localization of the pain to the right lower quadrant of the abdomen; and mild fever. Although the pain typically is localized in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, there are variations because the appendix may be located in a number of other positions within the abdominal cavity. Fever is a fairly late sign, with mild elevation the rule; a high fever increases the suspicion of perforation or of some other inflammatory process. The diagnosis of appendicitis is generally made by history and physical examination, although laboratory and radiologic studies may be helpful in differentiating appendicitis from other conditions.

The treatment of acute appendicitis is prompt surgical removal of the inflamed appendix. Prior to surgery, the patient may be given intravenous fluids to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. The use of antibiotics before surgery to decrease wound infection is often recommended. Antibiotics are continued after surgery in cases where the inflammation has extended beyond the appendix. Delay in removal of the appendix increases the chance of perforation. See also Antibiotic; Gastrointestinal tract disorders.


Definition

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, which is the small, finger-shaped pouch attached to the beginning of the large intestine on the lower-right side of the abdomen. Appendicitis is a medical emergency, and if left untreated, the appendix may rupture and cause a potentially fatal infection.

Description

In children, appendicitis is the most common abdominal medical emergency and most common pediatric emergency surgical procedure. Although the appendix has no known function, it can become inflamed and diseased. This condition, called appendicitis, can rapidly evolve into a life-threatening or fatal infection of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis) if not treated immediately. Appendicitis usually involves emergency consultation with a physician and evaluation in a hospital emergency department.

Demographics

Appendicitis is the most common abdominal emergency found in children and young adults. One person in 15 develops appendicitis in his or her lifetime. The incidence is highest among males aged 10 to 14, and among females aged 15 to 19. More males than females develop appendicitis between puberty and age 25. It is rare in infants and children under the age of two. In the United States, appendicitis occurs in four out of 1,000 children.

Causes and Symptoms

Appendicitis is usually caused by a blockage of the inside of the appendix, which is called the lumen. Most often, the lumen is blocked by fecal material. Lymphoid tissue, which is present in mucosal lining of the appendix and intestines to help fight bacterial and viral infections, can swell and lead to obstruction of the appendix. This condition, called lymphoid hyperplasia, may also be associated with a variety of inflammatory and infectious diseases, such as Crohn's disease, gastroenteritis, respiratory infections, mononucleosis, and measles. Appendicitis can also be caused by foreign bodies (e.g., intrauterine device or something swallowed), traumatic abdominal injury, or tumors. In addition, genetics may play a role in appendicitis; some children may inherit genes that make them more susceptible to blockage of the appendiceal lumen. Having cystic fibrosis also increases a child's risk for appendicitis.

Blockage of the appendix then causes inflammation, increased pressure, and restricted blood flow, leading to abdominal pain and tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. If the appendix is not removed, bacteria and inflammation within the appendix rapidly expand, the wall of the appendix stretches, and perforation can occur. Once the appendix is perforated, bacteria-filled fluid is released into the abdominal cavity and peritonitis then develops. Perforation is more common in younger children. Perforation can occur as soon as 48 to 72 hours after symptoms first begin and can become life-threatening.

Classic symptoms of appendicitis include the following:

  • abdominal pain, first around the navel then moving to the lower right quadrant of the abdomen
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • loss of appetite
  • diarrhea, constipation, and/or inability to pass gas
  • fever beginning after other symptoms
  • abdominal swelling and tenderness

Other possible symptoms are pain on urination, inability to urinate, or frequent urge to urinate if the swollen appendix is near the urinary tract and bladder. When perforation occurs, abdominal pain becomes more intense and involves the whole abdominal area, and fever may be very high.

Symptoms of appendicitis vary, and not every child will have all the symptoms. In children younger than age two years, the most common symptoms are vomiting and a bloated or swollen abdomen. Toddlers with appendicitis may have difficulty eating and may seem very tired. Children may have constipation, but may also have small stools that contain mucus. Although infants and children younger than two years may also have abdominal pain and other symptoms, they are too young to effectively communicate their symptoms to adults, who may then miss the symptoms of appendicitis.

When to Call the Doctor

Appendicitis is a medical emergency. A doctor should be called immediately if appendicitis is suspected so that children can receive prompt medical treatment before perforation occurs. Parents who suspect that their child has appendicitis should not give the child any pain medication because it may interfere with the results of a doctor's physical examination for appendicitis. In addition, parents should not give their child anything to eat or drink in case surgery is required immediately.

Symptoms in combination that require a doctor's immediate attention include significant abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, swollen or bloated abdomen, and loss of appetite. If abdominal pain begins before nausea and vomiting, rather than after, appendicitis rather than intestinal infection is more likely.

Diagnosis

Appendicitis is diagnosed by physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging tests. During a physical examination, the doctor palpates the abdomen to find tender and painful spots. A physical examination can also include a rectal examination, examination of the genitals in boys, and a gynecologic examination in girls, because other conditions, such as testicular torsion and ectopic pregnancy may have symptoms similar to appendicitis. Laboratory tests involve an analysis of white blood cell count to determine whether infection is present, urinalysis to rule out urinary tract or kidney infection, and other tests, such as pregnancy and liver function tests, to rule out other causes of abdominal pain. Imaging tests can include abdominal x rays, ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT).

In 2004, a new imaging technique that uses nuclear medicine imaging and an injection of an imaging agent called NeutroSpec was introduced for the diagnosis of appendicitis. This technique provides images of infected areas and may help physicians decide which children are candidates for surgery to remove the appendix. Up to 20 percent of appendectomies are performed on infants and children with a normal appendix.

Abdominal pain is a common complaint in children, and making a timely diagnosis of appendicitis before perforation is often difficult. Up to 30 percent of children with appendicitis are misdiagnosed, even by experienced physicians. In infants, diagnosis is often not possible and not made until after perforation. Appendicitis is most often misdiagnosed as gastroenteritis or respiratory infection.

Treatment

Appendicitis is treated by immediate surgery to remove the appendix, called an appendectomy. Appendectomy is the most common emergency surgery performed by pediatric surgeons. In an open appendectomy, the appendix is removed through a standard abdominal incision. In laparoscopic appendectomy, surgeons insert a small scope through tiny abdominal incisions to remove the appendix. A laparoscopic appendectomy results in less postoperative pain and fewer surgical incision infections. However, the procedure is longer and requires specialized surgical experience in operating on pediatric patients. In female teen patients, laparascopy has the added benefit of being able to diagnose and treat gynecologic conditions and ectopic pregnancy during the appendectomy if the appendix is found to be normal.

Preoperative antibiotics are given to children with suspected appendicitis and stopped after surgery if there is no perforation. Antibiotic treatment kills bacteria, and stronger and longer courses of antibiotics are required if peritonitis occurs.

If the appendix is removed before perforation occurs, the hospital stay is usually two to three days. A child with a perforated appendix and peritonitis must remain in the hospital up to a week.

Prognosis

Appendicitis is usually treated successfully by appendectomy, and unless there are complications, children should recover without further problems. The mortality rate in cases without complications is less than 0.1 percent. Perforated and ruptured appendix, as well as peritonitis, occur at higher rates among children. When the appendix has ruptured or a severe infection has developed, the likelihood for developing complications is higher, and recovery is longer. Peritonitis is a life-threatening condition, and death occurs in about 1 percent of cases.

Prevention

In general, appendicitis cannot be prevented. The incidence of appendicitis is lower in cultures where people eat more daily dietary fiber, which is thought to decrease the viscosity of feces, decrease bowel transit time, and discourage formation of fecaliths, which predispose individuals to obstructions within the appendix.

Parental Concerns

Because the appendix is more likely to perforate in children than adults, parents should not hesitate to call the doctor if their child develops symptoms that may indicate appendicitis. Parents should feel free to ask their doctor and other medical staff questions about any medical tests or treatments their child receives.

Resources

Books

Majumdar, P. C. Appendicitis. New Delhi, India: B. Jain, 2003.

Tilden, J. H. Appendicitis: The Etiology, Hygienic, and Dietetic Treatment. Pahrump, NV: Library of New Atlantis, 2003.

Harvard Medical School. Medical Tests: A Practical Guide to Common Tests. Boston, MA: Harvard Health Publications, 2004.

Periodicals

Kosloske, A. M., et al. "The Diagnosis of Appendicitis in Children: Outcomes of a Strategy Based on Pediatric Surgical Evaluation." Pediatrics 113 (January 2004): 29–34.

McCullough, M. "Targeting Appendicitis: A New Tool Offers Wider Promise." Philadelphia Inquirer (July 7, 2004).

Zitsman, J. L. "Current Concepts in Minimal Access Surgery for Children." Pediatrics 111 (June 2003): 1239–52.

Organizations

American College of Emergency Physicians. Web site: www.acep.org.

American College of Radiology. Web site: www.acr.org.

Web Sites

"Appendicitis." Available online at (accessed October 24, 2004).

"Appendicitis." National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Available online at (accessed October 24, 2004).

Trevino, M. "CT for Appendicitis Diagnosis in Children Gains Popularity." Available online at www.dimag.com/dinews/2003050901.shtml (accessed October 24, 2004).

Tucker, J. "Pediatrics: Appendicitis." Emedicine. Available online at www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic361.htm (accessed October 24, 2004).

[Article by: Jennifer E. Sisk, M.A.]



(uh-pen-duh-seye-tis)

Inflammation of the appendix.

Inflammation of the vermiform appendix. Occurs in humans and the great apes. The syndrome includes abdominal pain, fever and leukocytosis.

Mosby's Dental Dictionary:

appendicitis

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n

An inflammation of the vermiform appendix, usually acute, which, if undiagnosed and not surgically removed, leads rapidly to perforation and peritonitis.

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categories related to 'appendicitis'

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Wikipedia on Answers.com:

Appendicitis

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Appendicitis
Classification and external resources

An acutely inflamed and enlarged appendix, sliced lengthwise.
ICD-10 K35 - K37
ICD-9 540-543
DiseasesDB 885
MedlinePlus 000256
eMedicine med/3430 emerg/41 ped/127 ped/2925
MeSH C06.405.205.099

Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It is classified as a medical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to peritonitis and shock.[1] Reginald Fitz first described acute and chronic appendicitis in 1886,[2] and it has been recognized as one of the most common causes of severe acute abdominal pain worldwide. A correctly diagnosed non-acute form of appendicitis is known as "rumbling appendicitis".

The term "pseudoappendicitis" is used to describe a condition mimicking appendicitis.[3] It can be associated with Yersinia enterocolitica.[4]

Contents

Signs and symptoms

Location of the appendix in the digestive system

Pain first, vomiting next and fever last has been described as the classic presentation of acute appendicitis. Pain starts mid-abdomen, and except in children below 3 years, tends to localize in the right iliac fossa in a few hours. This pain can be elicited through various signs and can be severe. Signs include localized findings in the right iliac fossa. The abdominal wall becomes very sensitive to gentle pressure (palpation). Also, there is severe pain on sudden release of deep pressure in the lower abdomen (rebound tenderness). In case of a retrocecal appendix, however, even deep pressure in the right lower quadrant may fail to elicit tenderness (silent appendix), the reason being that the cecum, distended with gas, prevents the pressure exerted by the palpating hand from reaching the inflamed appendix. Similarly, if the appendix lies entirely within the pelvis, there is usually complete absence of abdominal rigidity. In such cases, a digital rectal examination elicits tenderness in the rectovesical pouch. Coughing causes point tenderness in this area (McBurney's point) and this is the least painful way to localize the inflamed appendix. If the abdomen on palpation is also involuntarily guarded (rigid), there should be a strong suspicion of peritonitis, requiring urgent surgical intervention.

Pain is not typical in some people, who may only have lower right abdominal pain, and no mid-upper abdominal pain at the beginning. Often, the pain is not prominent in the elderly or children below 3 years old. Or the pain point moves to other locations, especially just below the liver in a pregnant woman. In this case, the inflamed appendix is pushed up by the enlarged uterus.[5]

Rovsing's sign

Continuous deep palpation starting from the left iliac fossa upwards (counterclockwise along the colon) may cause pain in the right iliac fossa, by pushing bowel contents towards the ileocaecal valve and thus increasing pressure around the appendix. This is the Rovsing's sign.[6]

Psoas sign

Psoas sign or "Obraztsova's sign" is right lower-quadrant pain that is produced with either the passive extension of the patient's right hip (patient lying on left side, with knee in flexion) or by the patient's active flexion of the right hip while supine. The pain elicited is due to inflammation of the peritoneum overlying the iliopsoas muscles and inflammation of the psoas muscles themselves. Straightening out the leg causes pain because it stretches these muscles, while flexing the hip activates the iliopsoas and therefore also causes pain.

Obturator sign

If an inflamed appendix is in contact with the obturator internus, spasm of the muscle can be demonstrated by flexing and internal rotation of the hip. This maneuver will cause pain in the hypogastrium.

Dunphy's sign

Increased pain in the right lower quadrant with coughing.[7]

Kocher's (Kosher's) sign

From the history given, the appearance of pain in the epigastric region or around the stomach at the beginning of disease with a subsequent shift to the right iliac region.

Sitkovskiy (Rosenstein)'s sign

Increased pain in the right iliac region as patient lies on his/her left side.

Bartomier-Michelson's sign

Increased pain on palpation at the right iliac region as patient lies on his/her left side compared to when patient was on supine position.

Aure-Rozanova's sign

Increased pain on palpation with finger in right Petit triangle (can be a positive Shchetkin-Bloomberg's sign) - typical in retrocecal position of the appendix.[8]


Also referred as rebound tenderness. Deep palpation of the viscera over the suspected inflamed appendix followed by sudden release of the pressure causes the severe pain on the site indicating positive Blumberg's sign and peritonitis.[9]

Causes

On the basis of experimental evidence, acute appendicitis seems to be the end result of a primary obstruction of the appendix lumen (the inside space of a tubular structure).[10][11] Once this obstruction occurs, the appendix subsequently becomes filled with mucus and swells, increasing pressures within the lumen and the walls of the appendix, resulting in thrombosis and occlusion of the small vessels, and stasis of lymphatic flow. Rarely, spontaneous recovery can occur at this point. As the former progresses, the appendix becomes ischemic and then necrotic. As bacteria begin to leak out through the dying walls, pus forms within and around the appendix (suppuration). The end result of this cascade is appendiceal rupture (a 'burst appendix') causing peritonitis, which may lead to septicemia and eventually death.

The causative agents include foreign bodies, trauma, intestinal worms, lymphadenitis, and, most commonly, calcified fecal deposits known as appendicoliths or fecaliths[12] The occurrence of obstructing fecaliths has attracted attention since their presence in patients with appendicitis is significantly higher in developed than in developing countries,[13] and an appendiceal fecalith is commonly associated with complicated appendicitis.[14] Also, fecal stasis and arrest may play a role, as demonstrated by a significantly lower number of bowel movements per week in patients with acute appendicitis compared with healthy controls.[15] The occurrence of a fecalith in the appendix seems to be attributed to a right-sided fecal retention reservoir in the colon and a prolonged transit time.[16] From epidemiological data, it has been stated that diverticular disease and adenomatous polyps were unknown and colon cancer exceedingly rare in communities exempt for appendicitis.[17][18] Also, acute appendicitis has been shown to occur antecedent to cancer in the colon and rectum.[19] Several studies offer evidence that a low fiber intake is involved in the pathogenesis of appendicitis[20] .[21][22] This is in accordance with the occurrence of a right-sided fecal reservoir and the fact that dietary fiber reduces transit time.[23]

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on patient history (symptoms) and physical examination backed by an elevation of neutrophilic white blood cells. Histories fall into two categories, typical and atypical. Typical appendicitis usually includes abdominal pain beginning in the region of the umbilicus for several hours, associated with anorexia, nausea or vomiting. The pain then "settles" into the right lower quadrant, where tenderness develops. Atypical histories lack this typical progression and may include pain in the right lower quadrant as an initial symptom. Atypical histories often require imaging with ultrasound and/or CT scanning.[24] A pregnancy test is vital in all women of child bearing age, as ectopic pregnancies and appendicitis present similar symptoms. The consequences of missing an ectopic pregnancy are serious, and potentially life threatening. Furthermore the general principles of approaching abdominal pain in women (in so much that it is different from the approach in men) should be appreciated.

Blood test

Most patients suspected of having appendicitis would be asked to do a blood test. Half of the time, the blood test is normal, so it is not foolproof in diagnosing appendicitis.

Two forms of blood tests are commonly done: Full blood count (FBC), also known as complete blood count (CBC), is an inexpensive and commonly requested blood test. It involves measuring the blood for its richness in red blood cells, as well as the number of the various white blood cell constituents in it. The number of white cells in the blood is usually less than 10,000 cells per cubic millimeter. An abnormal rise in the number of white blood cells in the blood is a crude indicator of infection or inflammation going on in the body. Such a rise is not specific to appendicitis alone. If it is abnormally elevated, with a good history and examination findings pointing towards appendicitis, the likelihood of having the disease is higher. In pregnancy, elevation of white blood cells may be normal, without any infection present.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase response protein produced by the liver in response to any infection or inflammatory process in the body. Again, like the FBC, it is not a specific test. It is another crude marker of infection or inflammation. Inflammation at ANY site can lead to a rise in CRP. A significant rise in CRP, with corresponding signs and symptoms of appendicitis, is a useful indicator in the diagnosis of appendicitis. If the CRP continues to be normal after 72 hours of the onset of pain, the appendicitis likely will resolve on its own without intervention. A worsening CRP with good history is a sure signal of impending perforation or rupture and abscess formation.

Urine test

A urine test in appendicitis is usually normal. It may, however, show blood if the appendix is rubbing on the bladder, causing irritation. A urine test or urinalysis is compulsory in women, to rule out pregnancy in appendicitis, as well to help ensure that the abdominal pain felt and thought to be acute appendicitis is not in fact, due to ectopic pregnancy.

X–Ray

In 10% of patients with appendicitis, plain abdominal x-ray may demonstrate hard formed feces in the lumen of the appendix (Fecolith). It is agreed that the finding of Fecolith in the appendix on X – ray alone is a reason to operate to remove the appendix, because of the potential to cause worsening symptoms. In this respect, a plain abdominal X-ray may be useful in the diagnosis of appendicitis, though plain abdominal x- ray is no longer requested routinely in suspected cases of appendicitis. An abdominal X – ray may be done with a barium enema contrast to diagnose appendicitis. Barium enema is whitish fluid that is passed up into the rectum to act as a contrast. It will usually fill the whole of the large bowel. In normal appendix, the lumen will be present and the barium fills it up and is seen when the x-ray film is shot. In appendicitis, the lumen of the appendix will not be visible on the barium film.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound image of an acute appendicitis

Ultrasonography and Doppler sonography provide useful means to detect appendicitis, especially in children, and shows free fluid collection in the right iliac fossa, along with a visible appendix without blood flow in color Doppler. In some cases (15% approximately), however, ultrasonography of the iliac fossa does not reveal any abnormalities despite the presence of appendicitis. This is especially true of early appendicitis before the appendix has become significantly distended and in adults where larger amounts of fat and bowel gas make actually seeing the appendix technically difficult. Despite these limitations, sonographic imaging in experienced hands can often distinguish between appendicitis and other diseases with very similar symptoms, such as inflammation of lymph nodes near the appendix or pain originating from other pelvic organs such as the ovaries or fallopian tubes.

Computed tomography

A cat scan demonstrating acute appendicitis (note the appendix has a diameter of 17.1mm and there is surrounding fat stranding.)
A fecalith marked by the arrow which has resulted in acute appendicitis.

Where it is readily available, CT scan has become frequently used, especially in adults whose diagnosis is not obvious on history and physical examination. Concerns about radiation, however, tend to limit use of CT in pregnant women and children. A properly performed CT scan with modern equipment has a detection rate (sensitivity) of over 95%, and a similar specificity. Signs of appendicitis on CT scan include lack of oral contrast (oral dye) in the appendix, direct visualization of appendiceal enlargement (greater than 6 mm in cross-sectional diameter), and appendiceal wall enhancement with IV contrast (IV dye). The inflammation caused by appendicitis in the surrounding peritoneal fat (so called "fat stranding") can also be observed on CT, providing a mechanism to detect early appendicitis and a clue that appendicitis may be present even when the appendix is not well seen. Thus, diagnosis of appendicitis by CT is made more difficult in very thin patients and in children, both of whom tend to lack significant fat within the abdomen. The utility of CT scanning is made clear, however, by the impact it has had on negative appendectomy rates. For example, use of CT for diagnosis of appendicitis in Boston, MA has decreased the chance of finding a normal appendix at surgery from 20% in the pre-CT era to only 3% according to data from the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Ultrasound and CT compared

According to a systematic review from UC-San Francisco comparing ultrasound vs. CT scan, CT scan is more accurate than ultrasound for the diagnosis of appendicitis in adults and adolescents. CT scan has a sensitivity of 94%, specificity of 95%, a positive likelihood ratio of 13.3 (CI, 9.9 to 17.9), and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.09 (CI, 0.07 to 0.12). Ultrasonography had an overall sensitivity of 86%, a specificity of 81%, a positive likelihood ratio of 5.8 (CI, 3.5 to 9.5), and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.19 (CI, 0.13 to 0.27).[25]

Alvarado score

Alvarado score
Migratory right iliac fossa pain 1 point
Anorexia 1 point
Nausea and vomiting 1 point
Right iliac fossa tenderness 2 points
Rebound tenderness 1 point
Fever 1 point
Leukocytosis 2 points
Shift to left (segmented neutrophils) 1 point
Total score 10 points

A number of clinical and laboratory-based scoring systems have been devised to assist diagnosis. The most widely used is Alvarado score. A score below 5 is strongly against a diagnosis of appendicitis,[26] while a score of 7 or more is strongly predictive of acute appendicitis. In patients with an equivocal score of 5 or 6, a CT scan is used to further reduce the rate of negative appendicectomy.

Other data

Tzanakis scoring
Tzanakis and colleagues, in 2005 published a simplified system, now called the Tzanakis scoring system for appendicitis, to aid the diagnosis of appendicitis. It incorporates the presence of four variables made up of specific signs and symptoms (presence of right lower abdominal tenderness = 4 points and rebound tenderness = 3), laboratory findings (presence of white blood cells greater than 12,000 in the blood = 2), as well as ultrasound findings (presence of positive ultrasound scan findings of appendicitis = 6), to which scores are allocated, in the computing of a scoring to predict the presence of appendicitis.
The maximum score is a total score of 15; where a patient scores 8 or more points, there is greater than 96% chance that appendicitis exists.

Pathologic diagnosis

Micrograph of appendicitis and periappendicitis. H&E stain.
Micrograph of appendicitis showing neutrophils in the muscularis propria. H&E stain.

The definitive diagnosis is based on pathology. The histologic findings of appendicits are neutrophils in the muscularis propria.

Periappendicits, inflammation of tissues around the appendix, is often found in conjunction with other abdominal pathology.[27]

Differential diagnosis

In children
Gastroenteritis, mesenteric adenitis, Meckel's diverticulitis, intussusception, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, lobar pneumonia, urinary tract infection (abdominal pain in the absence of other symptoms can occur in children with UTI), new-onset Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis, and abdominal trauma from child abuse; distal intestinal obstruction syndrome in children with cystic fibrosis; typhlitis in children with leukemia;
In women
menarche, dysmenorrhea, severe menstrual cramps, Mittelschmerz, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy
In adults
regional enteritis, renal colic, perforated peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, rectus sheath hematoma; in men: testicular torsion, new-onset Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis; in women: pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis, torsion/rupture of ovarian cyst, Mittelschmerz (the passing of an egg in the ovaries approximately two weeks before an expected menstruation cycle)
In elderly
diverticulitis, intestinal obstruction, colonic carcinoma, mesenteric ischemia, leaking aortic aneurysm.

Management

Largely surgical, any conservative management is done at the threshold of operation theater as the acutely inflamed appendix is liable to rupture during such treatment.

Inflamed appendix removal by open surgery

The treatment begins by keeping the patient from eating or drinking in preparation for surgery. An intravenous drip is used to hydrate the patient. Antibiotics given intravenously such as cefuroxime and metronidazole may be administered early to help kill bacteria and thus reduce the spread of infection in the abdomen and postoperative complications in the abdomen or wound. Equivocal cases may become more difficult to assess with antibiotic treatment and benefit from serial examinations. If the stomach is empty (no food in the past six hours) general anaesthesia is usually used. Otherwise, spinal anaesthesia may be used.

Once the decision to perform an appendectomy has been made, the preparation procedure takes more or less one to two hours. Meanwhile, the surgeon will explain the surgery procedure and will present the risks that must be considered when performing an appendectomy. With all surgeries there are certain risks that must be evaluated before performing the procedures. However, the risks are different depending on the state of the appendix. If the appendix has not ruptured, the complication rate is only about 3% but if the appendix has ruptured, the complication rate rises to almost 59%.[28] The most usual complications that can occur are pneumonia, hernia of the incision, thrombophlebitis, bleeding or adhesions. Recent evidence indicates that a delay in obtaining surgery after admission results in no measurable difference in patient outcomes [29]

The surgeon will also explain how long the recovery process should take. Abdomen hair is usually removed in order to avoid complications that may appear regarding the incision. In most of the cases patients experience nausea or vomiting which requires specific medication before surgery. Antibiotics along with pain medication may also be administrated prior to appendectomies.

Pain management

Pain from appendicitis can be severe. Strong (i.e., narcotic) pain medications are recommended for pain management prior to surgery. Morphine is generally the standard of care in adults and children in the treatment of pain from appendicitis prior to surgery.[citation needed]

In the past (and in some medical textbooks that are still published today), it was commonly accepted among the majority of academic sources[weasel words] that pain medication not be given until the surgeon has the chance to evaluate the patient, so as to not "corrupt" the findings of the physical examination. This line of practice, combined with the fact that surgeons may sometimes take hours to come to evaluate the patient, especially if he or she is in the middle of surgery or has to drive in from home, often leads to a situation that is ethically questionable at best.[citation needed] More recently, due to better understanding of the importance of pain control in patients, it has been shown that the physical examination is actually not dramatically disturbed when pain medication is given prior to medical evaluation. Individual hospitals and clinics have adapted to this new approach of pain management of appendicitis by developing a compromise of allowing the surgeon a maximum time to arrive for evaluation, such as 20 to 30 minutes, before active pain management is initiated. Many surgeons also advocate this new approach of providing pain management immediately rather than only after surgical evaluation.

Surgery

Laparoscopic appendectomy.

The surgical procedure for the removal of the appendix is called an appendicectomy (also known as an appendectomy). Often now the operation can be performed via a laparoscopic approach, or via three small incisions with a camera to visualize the area of interest in the abdomen. If the findings reveal suppurative appendicitis with complications such as rupture, abscess, adhesions, etc., conversion to open laparotomy may be necessary. An open laparotomy incision if required most often centers on the area of maximum tenderness, McBurney's point, in the right lower quadrant. A transverse or a gridiron diagonal incision is used most commonly.

According to a meta-analysis from the Cochrane Collaboration comparing laparoscopic and open procedures, laparoscopic procedures seem to have various advantages over the open procedure. Wound infections were less likely after laparoscopic appendicectomy than after open appendicectomy (odds ratio (OR) 0.45; confidence interval (CI) 0.35 to 0.58), but the incidence of intraabdominal abscesses was increased (OR 2.48; CI 1.45 to 4.21). The duration of surgery was 12 minutes (CI 7 to 16) longer for laparoscopic procedures. Pain on day 1 after surgery was reduced after laparoscopic procedures by 9 mm (CI 5 to 13 mm) on a 100 millimeter visual analogue scale. Hospital stay was shortened by 1.1 day (CI 0.6 to 1.5). Return to normal activity, work, and sport occurred earlier after laparoscopic procedures than after open procedures. While the operation costs of laparoscopic procedures were significantly higher, the costs outside hospital were reduced. Young female, obese, and employed patients seem to benefit from the laparoscopic procedure more than other groups.[30]

There is debate whether emergency appendicectomy (within 6 hours of admission) reduces the risk of perforation or complication versus urgent appendicectomy (greater than 6 hours after admission). According to a retrospective case review study [31] no significant differences in perforation rate among the two groups were noted (P=.397). Various complications (abscess formation, re-admission) showed no significant differences (P=0.667, 0.999). According to this study, beginning antibiotic therapy and delaying appendicectomy from the middle of the night to the next day does not significantly increase the risk of perforation or other complications. This finding is important not simply for the convenience of the surgeons and staff involved but for the fact that there have been other studies that have shown that surgeries taking place during the night, when people may be more tired and there are fewer staff available, have higher rates of surgical complications.

Findings at the time of surgery are less severe in typical appendicitis. With atypical histories, perforation is more common and findings suggest perforation occurs at the beginning of symptoms. These observations may fit a theory that acute (typical) appendicitis and suppurative (atypical) appendicitis are two distinct disease processes. (1)

Surgery may last from 30 minutes in typical appendicitis in thin patients to several hours in complicated cases.

Laparotomy explained

Laparotomy is the traditional type of surgery used for treating appendicitis. This procedure consists in the removal of the infected appendix through a single larger incision in the lower right area of the abdomen.[32] The incision in a laparotomy is usually 2-3 inches long. This type of surgery is used also for visualizing and examining structures inside the abdominal cavity and it is called exploratory laparotomy.

During a traditional appendectomy procedure, the patient is placed under general anesthesia in order to keep his/her muscles completely relaxed and to keep the patient unconscious. The incision is two to three inches (76 mm) long and it is made in the right lower abdomen, several inches above the hip bone.[33] Once the incision opens the abdomen cavity and the appendix is identified, the surgeon removes the infected tissue and cuts the appendix from the surrounding tissue. After the surgeon inspects carefully and closely the infected area and there are no signs that surrounding tissues are damaged or infected, he will start closing the incision. This means sewing the muscles and using surgical staples or stitches to close the skin up. In order to prevent infections the incision is covered with a sterile bandage. The entire procedure does not last longer than an hour if complications do not occur.

Laparoscopic surgery

The newer method to treat appendicitis is the laparoscopic surgery. This surgical procedure consists of making three to four incisions in the abdomen, each 0.25 to 0.5 inch (6.3 to 13 mm) long. This type of appendectomy is made by inserting a special surgical tool called laparoscope into one of the incisions. The laparoscope is connected to a monitor outside the patient's body and it is designed to help the surgeon to inspect the infected area in the abdomen. The other two incisions are made for the specific removal of the appendix by using surgical instruments. Laparoscopic surgery also requires general anesthesia and it can last up to two hours. The latest methods are NOTES appendectomy pioneered in Coimbatore, India where there is no incision on the external skin[34] and SILS( Single incision laparoscopic Surgery)where a single 2.5 cm incision is made to perform the surgery.

After surgery

The stitches the day after having his appendix removed by laparoscopic surgery

Hospital lengths of stay typically range from a few hours to a few days, but can be a few weeks if complications occur. The recovery process may vary depending on the severity of the condition, if the appendix had ruptured or not before surgery. Appendix surgery recovery is generally a lot faster if the appendix did not rupture.[35] It is important that patients respect their doctor's advice and limit their physical activity so the tissues can heal faster. Recovery after an appendectomy may not require diet changes or a lifestyle change.

After surgery occurs, the patient will be transferred to an postanesthesia care unit so his or her vital signs can be closely monitored to detect anesthesia- and/or surgery-related complications. Pain medication may also be administered if necessary. After patients are completely awake, they are moved into a hospital room to recover. Most individuals will be offered clear liquids the day after the surgery, then progress to a regular diet when the intestines start to function properly. Patients are recommended to sit up on the edge of the bed and walk short distances for several times a day. Moving is mandatory and pain medication may be given if necessary. Full recovery from appendectomies takes about four to six weeks, but can be prolonged to up to eight weeks if the appendix had ruptured.

Prognosis

Most appendicitis patients recover easily with surgical treatment, but complications can occur if treatment is delayed or if peritonitis occurs. Recovery time depends on age, condition, complications, and other circumstances, including the amount of alcohol consumption, but usually is between 10 and 28 days. For young children (around 10 years old), the recovery takes three weeks.

The real possibility of life-threatening peritonitis is the reason why acute appendicitis warrants speedy evaluation and treatment. The patient may have to undergo a medical evacuation. Appendectomies have occasionally been performed in emergency conditions (i.e., outside of a proper hospital), when a timely medical evaluation was impossible.

Typical acute appendicitis responds quickly to appendectomy and occasionally will resolve spontaneously. If appendicitis resolves spontaneously, it remains controversial whether an elective interval appendectomy should be performed to prevent a recurrent episode of appendicitis. Atypical appendicitis (associated with suppurative appendicitis) is more difficult to diagnose and is more apt to be complicated even when operated early. In either condition, prompt diagnosis and appendectomy yield the best results with full recovery in two to four weeks usually. Mortality and severe complications are unusual but do occur, especially if peritonitis persists and is untreated. Another entity known as appendicular lump is talked about quite often. It happens when appendix is not removed early during infection and omentum and intestine get adherent to it forming a palpable lump. During this period, operation is risky unless there is pus formation evident by fever and toxicity or by USG. Medical management treats the condition.

An unusual complication of an appendectomy is "stump appendicitis": inflammation occurs in the remnant appendiceal stump left after a prior incomplete appendectomy.[36]

Epidemiology

Disability-adjusted life year for appendicitis per 100,000 inhabitants in 2004.[37]
  no data
  less than 2.5
  2.5-5
  5-7.5
  7.5-10
  10-12.5
  12.5-15
  15-17.5
  17.5-20
  20-22.5
  22.5-25
  25-27.5
  more than 27.5

 

References

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  2. ^ Fitz RH (1886). "Perforating inflammation of the vermiform appendix with special reference to its early diagnosis and treatment". Am J Med Sci (92): 321–46. 
  3. ^ Cunha BA, Pherez FM, Durie N (July 2010). "Swine influenza (H1N1) and acute appendicitis". Heart Lung 39 (6): 544–6. doi:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2010.04.004. PMID 20633930. http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0147-9563(10)00132-9. 
  4. ^ Zheng H, Sun Y, Lin S, Mao Z, Jiang B (August 2008). "Yersinia enterocolitica infection in diarrheal patients". Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 27 (8): 741–52. doi:10.1007/s10096-008-0562-y. ISBN 0960080562. PMID 18575909. 
  5. ^ Lawrence W. Way, Gerard M. Doherty (in English). Surgery. US: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.. ISBN 0-8385-1456-1. 
  6. ^ N. T. Rovsing, "Indirektes Hervorrufen des typischen Schmerzes an McBurney's Punkt. Ein Beitrag zur diagnostik der Appendicitis und Typhlitis". Zentralblatt für Chirurgie, Leipzig, 1907, 34: 1257-1259 (German)
  7. ^ Small V (2008) Surgical emergencies. In Dolan B and Holt L (eds) Accident and Emergency: Theory into Practice, 2nd edition. Elsevier.
  8. ^ http://max.1gb.ru/surg/s16_pract.shtml
  9. ^ "Blumberg's sign - Rebound Tenderness" | Offline Clinic
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  11. ^ Pieper R, Kager L, Tidefeldt U (1982). "Obstruction of appendix vermiformis causing acute appendicitis. On of the most common causes of this is an acute viral infection which causes lymphoid hyperplasia and therefore obstruction. An experimental study in the rabbit". Acta Chir Scand 148 (1): 63–72. PMID 7136413. 
  12. ^ Hollerman, J., et al. (1988). Acute recurrent appendicitis with appendicolith. Am J Emerg Med 6:6 614-7.
  13. ^ Jones BA, Demetriades D, Segal I, Burkitt DP (1985). "The prevalence of appendiceal fecaliths in patients with and without appendicitis. A comparative study from Canada and South Africa". Ann. Surg. 202 (1): 80–2. doi:10.1097/00000658-198507000-00013. PMC 1250841. PMID 2990360. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1250841. 
  14. ^ Nitecki S, Karmeli R, Sarr MG (1990). "Appendiceal calculi and fecaliths as indications for appendectomy". Surg Gynecol Obstet 171 (3): 185–8. PMID 2385810. 
  15. ^ Arnbjörnsson E (1985). "Acute appendicitis related to faecal stasis". Ann Chir Gynaecol 74 (2): 90–3. PMID 2992354. 
  16. ^ Raahave D, Christensen E, Moeller H, Kirkeby LT, Loud FB, Knudsen LL (2007). "Origin of acute appendicitis: fecal retention in colonic reservoirs: a case control study". Surg Infect (Larchmt) 8 (1): 55–62. doi:10.1089/sur.2005.04250. PMID 17381397. 
  17. ^ Burkitt DP (1971). "The aetiology of appendicitis". Br J Surg 58 (9): 695–9. doi:10.1002/bjs.1800580916. PMID 4937032. 
  18. ^ Segal I, Walker AR (1982). "Diverticular disease in urban Africans in South Africa". Digestion 24 (1): 42–6. doi:10.1159/000198773. PMID 6813167. 
  19. ^ Arnbjörnsson E (1982). "Acute appendicitis as a sign of a colorectal carcinoma". J Surg Oncol 20 (1): 17–20. doi:10.1002/jso.2930200105. PMID 7078180. 
  20. ^ Burkitt DP, Walker AR, Painter NS (1972). "Effect of dietary fibre on stools and the transit-times, and its role in the causation of disease". Lancet 2 (7792): 1408–12. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(72)92974-1. PMID 4118696. 
  21. ^ Adamis D, Roma-Giannikou E, Karamolegou K (2000). "Fiber intake and childhood appendicitis". Int J Food Sci Nutr 51 (3): 153–7. doi:10.1080/09637480050029647. PMID 10945110. 
  22. ^ Hugh TB, Hugh TJ (2001). "Appendicectomy--becoming a rare event?". Med. J. Aust. 175 (1): 7–8. PMID 11476215. http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/175_01_020701/hugh/hugh.html. 
  23. ^ Gear JS, Brodribb AJ, Ware A, Mann JI (1981). "Fibre and bowel transit times". Br. J. Nutr. 45 (1): 77–82. doi:10.1079/BJN19810078. PMID 6258626. http://journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S0007114581000111. 
  24. ^ Hobler, K. (Spring 1998). "Acute and Suppurative Appendicitis: Disease Duration and its Implications for Quality Improvement" (– Scholar search). Permanente Medical Journal 2 (2). http://xnet.kp.org/permanentejournal/spring98pj/Spring98.pdf#page=7. [dead link]
  25. ^ Terasawa T, Blackmore CC, Bent S, Kohlwes RJ (2004). "Systematic review: computed tomography and ultrasonography to detect acute appendicitis in adults and adolescents". Ann. Intern. Med. 141 (7): 537–46. PMID 15466771. 
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  27. ^ Fink, AS.; Kosakowski, CA.; Hiatt, JR.; Cochran, AJ. (Jun 1990). "Periappendicitis is a significant clinical finding". Am J Surg 159 (6): 564–8. doi:10.1016/S0002-9610(06)80067-X. PMID 2349982. 
  28. ^ Appendicitis surgery procedures Encyclopedia of surgery Portal. Retrieved on 2010-02-01
  29. ^ "'Emergency' appendix surgery can wait: MDs". CBC News. 2010-09-21. http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/09/21/appendectomy-waits.html. 
  30. ^ Sauerland S, Lefering R, Neugebauer EA (2004). Sauerland, Stefan. ed. "Laparoscopic versus open surgery for suspected appendicitis". Cochrane Database Syst Rev (4): CD001546. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001546.pub2. PMID 15495014. 
  31. ^ Yardeni D, Hirschl RB, Drongowski RA, Teitelbaum DH, Geiger JD, Coran AG (2004). "Delayed versus immediate surgery in acute appendicitis: do we need to operate during the night?". J. Pediatr. Surg. 39 (3): 464–9; discussion 464–9. doi:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2003.11.020. PMID 15017571. 
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  33. ^ Laparotomy abdominal surgery About surgeries online portal. Retrieved on 2010-02-01
  34. ^ 28
  35. ^ Appendicitis surgery, removal and recovery Retrieved on 2010-02-01
  36. ^ Liang MK, Lo HG, Marks JL (2006). "Stump appendicitis: a comprehensive review of literature". The American surgeon 72 (2): 162–6. PMID 16536249. 
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External links


Translations:

Appendicitis

Top

Dansk (Danish)
n. - appendicitis, blindtarmsbetændelse

Nederlands (Dutch)
blindedarmont- steking

Français (French)
n. - appendicite

Deutsch (German)
n. - Blinddarmentzündung

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (παθολ.) σκωληκοειδίτιδα

Italiano (Italian)
appendicite

Português (Portuguese)
n. - apendicite (f) (Med.)

Русский (Russian)
аппендицит

Español (Spanish)
n. - apendicitis

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - blindtarmsinflammation (med.)

中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
阑尾炎, 盲肠炎

中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 闌尾炎, 盲腸炎

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 충수염

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 盲腸炎, 虫垂炎

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) التهاب الزائده الدوديه‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮דלקת התוספתן‬


 
 
Related topics:
acute appendicitis (medicine)
McBurney's point (anatomy)
What is appendicitis? (anatomy)

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