Acute Appendicitis: The Reliability of Diagnosis by Clinical Assessment Alone

2005 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Kalliakmanis ◽  
E. Pikoulis ◽  
I. G. Karavokyros ◽  
E. Felekouras ◽  
P. Morfaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Appendicitis ◽  
Clinical Assessment ◽  
Aged Patients ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Lower Quadrant ◽  
Rebound Tenderness ◽  
Local Rigidity ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Appendiceal Inflammation ◽  
Loss Of Appetite

Background and Aims: This prospective study aimed to review the trustworthiness of the initial clinical assessment in acute appendicitis without employment of imaging modalities, laparoscopy or any other adjunct diagnostic test. Patients and Methods: 717 patients were operated on for appendicitis by six different surgeons. Initial clinical and laboratory examination were evaluated in relation to the intraoperative and the pathological appreciation of the appendiceal inflammation. Results: 598 patients were found to have appendicitis, 34 a different condition, 41 had both appendicitis and an additional condition and 44 no pathology. 6% of the laparotomies and 11 % of the appendectomies were unnecessary. The severity of the inflammation correlated significantly with periumbilical pain, pain migrating to right lower quadrant, loss of appetite, fever, rebound tenderness, local rigidity, polymorphonuclear predominance on deferential, polymorhonucleosis and leukocytosis. Leukocytosis was less frequent in aged patients. All the six surgeons were found to be equally reliable, although they all underestimated the setting compared to the pathologists. Patients with a long duration of symptoms had milder forms of inflammation and increased percentage of unanticipated abdominal conditions. Conclusions: Appendicitis can be reliably diagnosed clinically without employment of adjunct tests. These can be reserved for equivocal cases.

scholarly journals 1158. Pediatric Group A Streptococcal Peritonitis: A Single-Center Eleven Patient Case Series

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S670-S671
Author(s):  
Nicole L Pershing ◽  
Scott Eldredge ◽  
Jack E Burgeson ◽  
David Dansie ◽  
Katie Russell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Acute Appendicitis ◽  
Peritoneal Fluid ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome ◽  
Antibiotic Administration ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Group A ◽  
Appendiceal Inflammation

Abstract Background Pediatric group A streptococcal peritonitis (GASP) is a rare but serious infection, with few cases reported in the literature. Utah has an unusually high incidence of invasive GAS (iGAS) disease, but the frequency and characteristics of pediatric GASP are unknown. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review to identify GASP in Utah children from 2000-2019. GASP was defined as isolation of GAS from peritoneal fluid or blood and clinical signs of peritonitis. Results : Eleven children with GASP were identified, with slight female predominance (n=6). Median age was 6 years; males were significantly younger than females (1.4 versus 7.2 years, p=0.01). GAS was isolated from 4 of 8 blood and 8 of 11 peritoneal cultures obtained. Peritoneal fluid PCR was positive for GAS in one patient. Ten patients underwent laparotomy. Peri-appendiceal inflammation prompted appendectomy in 7 patients; only one had pathologic findings of acute appendicitis. Four patients developed streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and 7 required intensive care. Non-white race (n=4) and lack of appendectomy (n=5) were associated with more severe outcomes. Median antibiotic duration was 27 days. Median hospitalization was 8 days. All patients survived. Figure 1. Schematic representation of GAS peritonitis patient clinical course. Each patient is represented by a single line. Duration of symptoms prior to hospitalization, as well as duration of hospitalization (day 0 representing admission), intensive care, antibiotic administration, and timing of procedural interventions are noted. Duration of antibiotics after discharge for patient 3 was unable to be verified, as indicated by a question mark. Hospitalization, general pediatric hospital care. PICU, pediatric intensive care unit. IR, interventional radiology. Conclusion We present the largest pediatric case series of GASP to date. Diagnostic hallmarks included gastrointestinal symptoms, fever, systemic inflammation, and peritoneal enhancement without an abdominal source. Peri-appendiceal inflammation was common, although acute appendicitis was rare, and appendectomy was associated with a less severe course. GASP should be considered in patients with acute abdominal processes given increasing incidence of iGAS infections. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Is Alvarado Score Helpful for Pediatrician in Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis? Our Center Experience

2021 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sedigheh Rafiei Tabatabaei ◽  
Abdollah Karimi ◽  
Mohammad Nassiri ◽  
Leily Mohajerzadeh ◽  
Shahnaz Armin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Appendicitis ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Scoring Systems ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Alvarado Score ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lower Quadrant ◽  
Suspected Appendicitis ◽  
Rebound Tenderness

Background: Many problems in the diagnosis of patients with suspected appendicitis have led to the design of clinical scoring systems. In children, diagnostics tools for appendicitis are more critical. Younger patients, diagnostic challenges become more. Practical scoring systems are useful without any particular material and necessitate novel ability. Objectives: However, in spite of the reported outstanding consequences, these scoring systems are not employed regularly. Methods: In this cross-sectional study performed from October 2016 to October 2017, ten provinces out of the 31 provinces in Iran were randomly selected. A total of 631 patients referring to the hospitals with the suspicion of acute appendicitis were assessed. Related variables such as age, sex, right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain, migration of pain to RLQ, nausea, and presence of vomiting, anorexia, tenderness in RLQ and guarding, presence of rebound tenderness, and degree of fever were taken from recorded files by pediatricians. Alvarado scoring system was used for included cases to assess the accuracy of this test for diagnosis of appendicitis in our centers. Results: The mean age of eligible patients was 9.3 ± 3.21 years ranged from 3 years to 18 years, and 380 (60.5%) were male. Using the Alvarado score system in this study, considering the cut-off point value of 7 to decide for operation, the positive predictive value (PPV) showed 32.6%, and negative predictive value (NPV) was 76.73%, with a sensitivity of 44.05% and, specificity of 66.95%. There were statistically no significant correlations among the scoring of the Alvarado and diagnosis of AA (P < 0.05). Regarding receiver operator characteristic curves (ROC), the area under curve (AUC) was 0.58 (0.54 to 0.63) for Alvarado. The AUC was very low, so there was no value for the diagnosis of appendicitis. According to the findings of the present study, the cut-off point of 4.5 is suggested for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children with a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 58%. Conclusions: Although the Alvarado scores supply obviously practical diagnostic information in the management of pediatric population with supposed appendicitis, this method delivers no adequate PPV for clinical practice as a safe way for determining necessary operation.

scholarly journals Solitary Cecal Diverticulitis During Surgery for Acute Appendicitis.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rovena Bode ◽  
Eriol Braholli ◽  
Asfloral Haxhiu ◽  
Xheladin Draçini ◽  
Etmont Çeliku
Keyword(s):  
Acute Appendicitis ◽  
Acute Abdomen ◽  
Preoperative Diagnosis ◽  
Acute Diverticulitis ◽  
Right Hemicolectomy ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Lower Quadrant ◽  
Cecal Diverticulitis ◽  
The Right

Background: Caecal diverticulitis is an unusual condition that presents clinically similar to appendicitis. The diagnosis is not always easy and in the majority of cases, it is usually made at laparotomy. The aim of the present study is to retrospectively report our personal experience with solitary caecal diverticulitis, to determine its incidence in patients presenting as an acute abdomen, as well as identify the symptoms and clinical features that may aid in making a pre-operative diagnosis. And to compare this with a review of the literature, focusing on the surgical treatment and also on the indication of appendectomy in the presence of caecal diverticulitis not requiring surgery. Materials and methods: Data was collected in patients hospitalized for acute appendicitis or acute abdomen, in the surgical emergency unit of University Hospital Center "Mother Teresa" of Tirana, in a period of 3 years (2015-2017). Sex, age, duration of symptoms, preoperative diagnosis, management, intraoperative findings, histologic examination, length of hospital stay and complications of allpatients affected by solitary caecal diverticulitis were reviewed. Results: In the study period, 15 patients presented with a solitary caecal diverticulitis. Most of patients had pain in the right iliac fossa, with a duration of 2–6 days. All patients presented with abdominal pain, additional symptoms were nausea, vomiting and fever. The mean white blood cell count was from 8500-19.200/mm3, while the remaining laboratory results were normal. There were no specific findings on abdominal X-ray or ultrasonography. Intraoperative findings ranged from localized /circumscript peritonitis to generalised peritonitis due to acute diverticulitis and a normal appendix. Surgery ranged from diverticulum resection accompanied to appendectomy, to ileocaecal resection, and right hemicolectomy. Conclusions: Cecal diverticulitis should be included in the differen­tial diagnosis of the cases with pain in the right lower quadrant. Preoperative diagnosis of caecal diverticulitis cannot always be made, since the signs and symptoms are similar to acute appendicitis, but is impor­tant in order to decide how to manage this condition.Diverticulectomy and incidental appendectomy are the preferred method of treatment in uncomplicated cases. Right hemicolectomy is a recommended treatment option in complicated patients or those suspicious for tumor during surgery.

scholarly journals A Rare Case Od Meckel’s Diverticulum Perforation Caused By a Toothpick Mimicking Acute Appendicitis

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandar Resanovic ◽  
Milan Gojgic ◽  
Vladimir Resanovic ◽  
Mazen Arafeh
Keyword(s):  
Acute Appendicitis ◽  
Meckel’S Diverticulum ◽  
Diagnostic Procedures ◽  
Abdominal Ultrasound ◽  
Meckel's Diverticulum ◽  
Imaging Features ◽  
Ileocecal Region ◽  
Lower Quadrant ◽  
Rebound Tenderness ◽  
History Of

<p><em>Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract and is caused by the failure of omphalomesenteric duct to obliterate during embryonal maturation. Most patients are asymptomatic with only 4-16% presenting complications which include hemorrhage, intestinal obstruction, inflamation and occasionally perforation. A preoperative diagnosis of a complicated Meckel’s diverticulum may be challenging because of the overlapping clinical and imaging features of other acute surgical and inflammatory conditions of the abdomen. A 32-year old male was admitted to the emergency department with a 48-hour history of colicky like pain in the lower part of the abdomen, which was gradually increased and was localised in the lower right quadrant, with no history of fever, nausea or vommiting, no urinary symptoms nor altered bowel habits. Laboratory revealed leukocytosis and elevated CRP, while on physical examination guarding and rebound tenderness were found in the right lower quadrant. Abdominal ultrasound  established a distended small bowel with very slow peristalsis in ileocecal region. Complete workup raised suspicion for an acute appendicitis, therefore the patient was operated. Intraoperatively, the perforated Meckel’s diveriticulum was found, caused by a toothpick. Diverticulectomy and appendectomy were done. Postoperative course was uneventful. Regardless of the fact that a variety of diagnostic procedures are at the disposal of surgeons, we feel that the diagnose of a complicated MD remains a challenging task, largely in thanks to the fact that it mimics some other acute abdominal pathology and, often, is misdiagnosed.</em></p>

scholarly journals ACUTE ABDOMINAL PAIN IN CHILDREN

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (08) ◽  
pp. 1080-1086
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ali Sheikh ◽  
Tariq Latif
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Acute Appendicitis ◽  
Acute Abdominal Pain ◽  
Paediatric Surgery ◽  
Discharge Diagnosis ◽  
Lower Quadrant ◽  
Rebound Tenderness ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Symptoms And Signs ◽  
Right Lower Quadrant

Objective: To determine the clinical outcomes of acute abdominal pain andevaluation of symptoms and signs in children admitted in pediatric surgery department.Design: Cohort study. Place and Duration of study: This study was conducted in Departmentof Paediatric Surgery Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore between August 2010 to August 2012.Patients and methods: Children aged 2 to 14 years who presented to emergency departmentwith complaint of acute abdominal pain of less than 5 days duration and admitted in pediatricsurgery department were included. Presenting symptoms, signs, hospital course of patientsand discharge diagnosis were recoded. Data was analyzed by SPSS. Results: Out of 73104patients who were seen in Paediatric emergency 1420 (1.94%) were referred for surgicalevaluation. Out of these 157 children were admitted. Six patients left against medical adviceso 151 patients were studied. Patients were divided into acute appendicitis, non-specificpain abdomen and miscellaneous categories on the basis of discharge diagnosis. Acuteappendicitis was diagnosed in 61(40.4%) patients. The patients who were admitted and nocause of pain abdomen could be found in them, were included in non-specific pain abdomengroup. NSPA group had 39 (25.8%) patients. Rests of the 51 (33.8%) patients were includedin miscellaneous group. Anorexia, fever, pain in right lower quadrant, tenderness in right iliacfossa, guarding, rebound tenderness and tachycardia were all significantly higher in patientswith acute appendicitis. Conclusion: Most of the children with acute abdominal pain wouldnot require surgery. Detailed history and thorough physical examination are cornerstone of thediagnosis.

scholarly journals Idiopathic Omental Infarction, Diagnosed and Managed Laparoscopically: A Case Report

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed AbdulAziz ◽  
Tamer El Zalabany ◽  
Abdul Rahim Al Sayed ◽  
Ahmed Al Ansari
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Acute Appendicitis ◽  
Clinical Finding ◽  
Iliac Fossa ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Free Fluid ◽  
Lower Quadrant ◽  
Omental Infarction ◽  
Rebound Tenderness ◽  
The Right

Idiopathic omental infarction is a rare cause of acute abdomen in adults, and the clinical finding can mimic acute appendicitis. Although idiopathic omental infarction is uncommon, the incidence of its detection has become more frequent as a result of advances in radiological technologies. We reported on a 21-year-old man who presented with sudden onset of intermittent right lower quadrant abdominal pain for seven days. The pain became more localized at the right iliac fossa (RIF) at day 2 before admission. A physical examination revealed a fever (38.2∘C), severe RIF tenderness, mass-like fullness, and positive rebound tenderness. A CT of the abdomen showed inflammatory changes and increased fat density mass in the right upper quadrant measuring5×4 cm representing focal panniculitis. However, the appendix was visualized normally and the findings were not in favor of acute appendicitis. Diagnosis was carried on laparoscopically. Serosanguinous free fluid was found in all abdominal quadrants. A6×4 cm gangrenous omental mass was noted. The omental mass was excised and an appendectomy was performed. In summary, omental infarction should be considered as a deferential diagnosis for acute right-sided abdominal pain, especially if the clinical finding does not correspond to appendicitis.

Clinical and laboratory findings in the diagnosis of right lower quadrant abdominal pain: outcome analysis of the APPAC trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elina Lietzén ◽  
Imre Ilves ◽  
Paulina Salminen ◽  
Hannu Paajanen ◽  
Tero Rautio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Appendicitis ◽  
Antibiotic Treatment ◽  
Roc Curves ◽  
Multicenter Trial ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Outcome Analysis ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Lower Quadrant ◽  
Wbc Count

AbstractBackground:The current research on acute appendicitis aims to improve the diagnostics and to clarify to whom antibiotic treatment might be the treatment of choice.Methods:The present study is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected data in our randomized multicenter trial comparing surgery and antibiotic treatment for acute uncomplicated appendicitis (APPAC trial, NCTO1022567). We evaluated 1321 patients with a clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis, who underwent computed tomography (CT). Age, gender, body temperature, pain scores, the duration of symptoms, white blood cell count (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were recorded on admission.Results:CT confirmed the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in 73% (n=970) and in 27% (n=351) it revealed no or other diagnosis. Acute appendicitis patients had significantly higher WBC levels than patients without appendicitis (median 12.2 and 10.0, respectively, p<0.0001), whereas CRP levels did not differ between the two groups. Ideal cut-off points were assessed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, but neither these markers or neither their combination nor any clinical characteristic could accurately differentiate between patients with acute appendicitis and those without. The proportion of patients with normal WBC count and CRP was significantly (p=0.0007) lower in patients with acute appendicitis than in patients without appendicitis.Conclusions:Both clinical findings and laboratory tests are unable to reliably distinguish between patients with acute appendicitis and those without. If both WBC count and CRP are normal, acute appendicitis is very unlikely. The current results emphasize the role of CT imaging in patients with suspected acute appendicitis.

scholarly journals Acute appendiceal diverticulitis diagnosed in the postoperative context of appendectomy

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1004
Author(s):  
Sofia M. Frade ◽  
Ana K. Andrade ◽  
João S. Pimentel ◽  
Luis M. Moniz ◽  
Helder J. Viegas
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Acute Appendicitis ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Lower Abdominal Pain ◽  
Vermiform Appendix ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Lower Quadrant ◽  
Appendiceal Diverticulitis ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Histological Result

Acute appendiceal diverticulitis is a rare cause of acute abdomen that is commonly interpreted as acute appendicitis until definitive histological result. We herein present two cases of patients of distinct age groups and gender who presented to the emergency department with right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Laboratory and imaging studies led to the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. In both cases, intraoperative findings were compatible with the initial diagnosis and therefore appendectomy was performed. Later pathological exam showed diverticulitis of the vermiform appendix. Although appendiceal diverticulitis is associated with a higher risk of perforation and neoplasms, both patients had linear postoperative period, without complications or dysplastic findings. Despite its similarities to the acute appendicitis, appendiceal diverticulitis presents itself as a distinct entity and should be suspected in patients with right lower abdominal pain in older age and with longer duration of symptoms.

Risk factors Associated in Acute Appendicitis in Pregnancy

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mojtaba Ahmadinejad ◽  
Seyed Mozaffar Hashemi ◽  
Mahnaz Jamee
Keyword(s):  
Acute Appendicitis ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Lower Quadrant ◽  
Rebound Tenderness ◽  
Abnormal Increase ◽  
Clinical Indices ◽  
Wbc Count

Backgrounds:: Acute appendicitis has been considered as the most common non-obstetric indication, that requires surgical intervention in pregnant women. Objective: The aim of this study is to compare clinical manifestations and para-clinical indices between pregnant and non-pregnant patients whom underwent appendectomy. Methods:: In this prospective cohort study, 57 pregnant and non-pregnant women, presenting appendicitis, were compared in terms of diagnostic indicators, histopathological characteristics and laboratory findings. Results:: Periumbilical region was the point of initiation of the pain, however, was more prominent in non-pregnant women. Similarly, tenderness in RLQ (right lower quadrant) of abdomen was more detectable in non-pregnant group and some of the cases has no rebound tenderness. Pregnant women with appendicitis were presented abnormal increase in WBC count. Conclusion:: Pregnancy and appendicitis-related signs and symptoms have similarity among them. Due to pregnancy, physical examination might not present exact diagnosis, therefore, pregnant women, susceptible have appendicitis must undergo complete and careful on-time examination that includes; ultrasound and labs.

Improving diagnosis of acute appendicitis with atypical findings by Tc-99m HMPAO leukocyte scan

2002 ◽  
Vol 41 (01) ◽  
pp. 37-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Shung-Shung ◽  
S. Yu-Chien ◽  
Y. Mei-Due ◽  
W. Hwei-Chung ◽  
A. Kao
Keyword(s):  
Acute Appendicitis ◽  
False Positive ◽  
False Positive Rate ◽  
Accurate Method ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Pathological Findings ◽  
Lower Quadrant ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Positive Rate

Summary Aim: Even with careful observation, the overall false-positive rate of laparotomy remains 10-15% when acute appendicitis was suspected. Therefore, the clinical efficacy of Tc-99m HMPAO labeled leukocyte (TC-WBC) scan for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in patients presenting with atypical clinical findings is assessed. Patients and Methods: Eighty patients presenting with acute abdominal pain and possible acute appendicitis but atypical findings were included in this study. After intravenous injection of TC-WBC, serial anterior abdominal/pelvic images at 30, 60, 120 and 240 min with 800k counts were obtained with a gamma camera. Any abnormal localization of radioactivity in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, equal to or greater than bone marrow activity, was considered as a positive scan. Results: 36 out of 49 patients showing positive TC-WBC scans received appendectomy. They all proved to have positive pathological findings. Five positive TC-WBC were not related to acute appendicitis, because of other pathological lesions. Eight patients were not operated and clinical follow-up after one month revealed no acute abdominal condition. Three of 31 patients with negative TC-WBC scans received appendectomy. They also presented positive pathological findings. The remaining 28 patients did not receive operations and revealed no evidence of appendicitis after at least one month of follow-up. The overall sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values for TC-WBC scan to diagnose acute appendicitis were 92, 78, 86, 82, and 90%, respectively. Conclusion: TC-WBC scan provides a rapid and highly accurate method for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in patients with equivocal clinical examination. It proved useful in reducing the false-positive rate of laparotomy and shortens the time necessary for clinical observation.

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