Abstract
Background
Describe the indications for surgical interventions in asymptomatic patients with SARS-CoV-2. We are unaware of previous reports of an association between SARS-CoV-2 and acute appendicitis.
Methods
We performed a single institution retrospective review of SARS-CoV-2 pre-procedure testing and indications for surgical intervention. Statistical comparisons were performed using Chi Square analysis or two-tailed Student T test.
Results
We report a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in both all testing and pre-procedure testing during the enrollment period. We observe a high prevalence of acute appendicitis among patients identified to be SARS-CoV-2 positive during pre-procedure testing and without recognized symptoms of COVID19.
Conclusion
We report a previously unrecognized association between SARS-CoV-2 and acute appendicitis.
Acute appendicitis is the most common appendiceal disease leading to the surgical excision of the organ. We report four cases of fibrous obliteration of appendix / appendiceal neuroma presented as acute appendicitis on ultrasonography (USG). Due to similar clinical symptoms and USG findings, fibrous obliteration of the appendix can easily be mistaken as acute appendicitis.