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Ultrasonography in the management of acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasonography (US) shows promise in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. METHODS: The authors present their own experience in ultrasonography (US) employed in the diagnosis of appendicitis, based on 40 patients admitted to the Department of Surgery of the University of Perugia. RESULTS: US was found to be easily obtainable and reliable; it had good specificity and sensitivity, was not very time consuming, and had a good cost/benefit ratio. CONCLUSIONS: The authors believe US is an important diagnostic tool that can reduce useless laparotomies for false acute appendicitis, particularly in cases presenting with unclear clinical findings.

Acute Disease↗

Adjunctive antimicrobial therapy for complicated appendicitis: bacterial overkill by combination therapy.

Although single antimicrobials with broad-spectrum aerobic and anaerobic coverage are effective in patients with appendicitis, many general surgeons continue to use multiple agents. A prospective, double-blind, randomized trial was designed to detect any clinical correlate of in vitro susceptibility advantage of multiple antimicrobials as adjunctive therapy for 114 patients undergoing operation for complicated appendicitis. There was clinical resolution of intraabdominal infections with no occurrence of postoperative infectious complications in 90% (36 of 40) of the cefotetan group and 86% (31 of 36) of the clindamycin/amikacin group (p = 0.11). The number of patients who had changes in antibiotic therapy due to postoperative complications was higher in the clindamycin/amikacin group: five (12.5%), compared to one (2.8%) in the cefotetan group (p = 0.07). Although Bacteroides fragilis group organisms resistant to cefotetan were identified, none was responsible for the postoperative infections. Adverse drug events in 28% of the cefotetan group and 26% of the clindamycin/amikacin group consisted primarily of transient elevations of liver function tests. Monotherapy with a second-generation, broad-spectrum cephalosporin, such as cefotetan, given twice a day is an economical and effective adjunctive regimen in patients with complicated appendicitis for which operation is the definitive treatment. Aminoglycosides and other, more potent antimicrobials should be reserved for resistant organisms or nosocomial infections.

Adolescent↗

Peritoneoscopy for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in females of reproductive age.

The diagnosis of acute appendicitis in women of reproductive age can be a difficult clinical problem. A retrospective audit found our incidence of normal appendix removal in this patient population to be 42%. This study was undertaken to determine if the selective use of peritoneoscopy would improve the accuracy of diagnosis and thereby reduce the need for celiotomy in these patients. Peritoneoscopy was performed on 21 patients, and acute appendicitis was confirmed in 12 cases. Tubo-ovarian pathology was found in 5 patients, no pathology was found in 4 patients, and an unnecessary celiotomy was avoided in 8 patients. The incidence of normal appendix removal was reduced to 15%. There were no serious complications associated with peritoneoscopy. Diagnostic peritoneoscopy should be liberally employed in women of reproductive age with suspected appendicitis.

Adolescent↗

[Suspected appendicitis -- is a conservative attitude advantageous? (author's transl)].

Between 1970 and 1973 1333 patients with suspected appendicitis were seen at the University Hospital of Basle. Operations were performed on 87.5%, of whom 89.8% proved to have appendicitis. The incidence of perforation was 13.5%. A five-year follow-up study was carried out on 100 cases dismissed without operative revision and appendectomy. Of these patients 20 later had an appendectomy and 42% did not approve of the conservative attitude. The high rate of secondary appendectomies within 5 years seems to advocate liberal indication for appendectomy if appendicitis is considered.

Appendicitis↗

[Appendicitis in a personal 10-year patient sample].

862 patients underwent appendectomy for suspected acute appendicitis at the 3rd Surgical Department of the Semmelweis University, Budapest during the period from 1976-1985. In 111 cases neither the histologic examination nor the macroscopic finding at operation confirmed the inflammation. We considered these cases as "chronic appendicitis". The postoperative mortality rate was 0.8%. Surgical complications arose in altogether 10 patients. In the remaining 751 patients the mortality rate was 0.5% with 20 complications. The incidence of surgical complications was not significantly decreased in cases with "acute appendicitis" therefore we do not emphasize prophylactic appendectomy.

Appendectomy↗

The diagnostic challenge of postoperative acute appendicitis.

During the period 1979 to 1989, 0.1% of all cases of acute appendicitis at our institution occurred soon after another operative procedure. The interval between primary operation and appendectomy was 5 to 31 days (mean, 14 days). Signs and symptoms did not differ from those of classical acute appendicitis. Duration of symptoms ranged from 12 hours to 8 days (mean, 2.4 days). Perforation was present in 3 patients, suppurative appendicitis in 1 patient, and acute inflammation in 4 patients. Two of the perforations were associated with abscess formation. Morbidity related to the appendiceal condition included hepatic abscesses, septic shock, and prolonged ileus. There was no mortality. Hospitalization ranged from 6 to 80 days (mean, 12.5 days).

Acute Disease↗

Graded compression sonography of abdominal neoplasms mimicking acute appendicitis.

Over a 3-year period nine patients (mean age of 43 years) with acute abdominal pain and unsuspected abdominal neoplasms were referred for graded compression sonography to rule out appendicitis. Six of the nine patients had right lower quadrant neoplasms involving the cecum, terminal ileum, iliacus muscle, or iliac lymph nodes. However, in three patients neoplasm was noted outside the right iliac fossa involving the liver, right kidney, and upper abdominal mesentery. This study underscores the fact that in patients without sonographic evidence of acute appendicitis, a survey of the upper abdomen and right flank should routinely be performed in addition to scanning the right iliac fossa and pelvis. In patients more than 50 years of age neoplasm must also be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of appendicitis.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Roentgenographic features of acute nonobstructive appendicitis: a case report.

We document a case of acute nonobstructive appendicitis and critically evaluate the pertinent literature. Although undoubtedly a rare entity, nonobstructive appendicitis may occur and should be differentiated from a normal appendix by barium enema examination. Mucosal and intramural inflammatory abnormalities are described which permit the diagnosis of nonobstructive appendicitis.

Appendicitis↗

Computed tomography in complicated acute appendicitis.

Due to the position and length of the appendix, intraabdominal abscesses after perforation in complicated acute appendicitis may occur in several different and sometimes unsuspected anatomical locations. Five patients are described with proven complicated acute appendicitis and inflammatory processes in multiple sites: anterior pararenal space, general retroperitoneum, subcutaneous fat space, intraperitoneal cavity, and small bowel mesentery. A confusing case of ileocecal carcinoid with mesenteric involvement is also presented. In all cases complicated acute appendicitis was diagnosed on CT prior to surgery, except in 1 case in which a pelvic abscess developed after intramural cecal bleeding in a patient with hemophilia B.

Abdomen↗

Sarcoidosis manifesting as acute appendicitis: report of a case.

PURPOSE: This report presents a patient who developed signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis because of sarcoid involvement of the appendix. METHODS: This is a retrospective case review with review of the English language literature. RESULTS: The patient underwent appendectomy for suspected acute appendicitis. Histologically the appendix had no signs of acute inflammation but did have noncaseating granulomas. The patient's abdominal pain resolved following appendectomy, and she has had no further similar pain in the two years since the operation. CONCLUSION: Patients with sarcoidosis may develop signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis without inflammation. Operative exploration should not be delayed in equivocal cases of right lower quadrant abdominal pain in patients with sarcoidosis.

Adult↗

The appearance of a normal appendix on barium enema examination does not rule out a diagnosis of chronic appendicitis: report of a case and review of the literature.

We report herein the rare case of a 15-year-old girl with chronic appendicitis in whom the appendix was clearly depicted by a barium enema (BE) examination. The patient presented with a 4-month history of diffuse abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen. Neither computed tomography nor ultrasonography showed any abnormal findings in the lower abdomen or pelvic cavity. Furthermore, BE examination depicted an appendix filled with the contrast medium. However, at elective surgery, she was found to have chronic appendicitis which was later confirmed histologically. Following this case report, a discussion on the value and limitations of BE examination for the diagnosis of acute and chronic appendicitis is presented.

Abdominal Pain↗

Perforated acute appendicitis in a term neonate.

Acute appendicitis is rare in term neonates. In most of the reported cases, it is seen as a complication of necrotizing enterocolitis, Hirschsprung's disease, cystic fibrosis, meconium plug, inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia, Group B Streptococcal septicemia and chorioamnionitis. A surviving term male newborn with isolated acute appendicitis with perforation is reported. A high index of suspicion of acute appendicitis, early surgery and the importance of a thorough search for a perforation in cases of neonatal acute abdominal distention is stressed. Literature of this rare condition is reviewed briefly.

Acute Disease↗

Hospital observation for right lower quadrant abdominal pain with questionable acute appendicitis in children.

920 children below the age of 12 years were admitted with complaints of pain in the right lower abdomen and a suspected diagnosis of acute appendicitis. In 720 patients, clinical diagnosis was made and immediate operation was performed. In 644 of them (89.5%) an intraabdominal lesion was found but in 76 (10.5%) no disease was encountered. Rest 200 patients were observed in the ward and progression was noted at regular intervals. Eight of these patients did not improve while on observation and they were operated. Five others did not have acute appendicitis but in them definite medical diagnosis was made. However in remaining 187 observed patients abdominal signs gradually resolved and needed no surgery but no definite diagnosis also could be made. They appeared to have non-specific abdominal pain. The conclusion of the study was that inhospital observation of patients with right lower quadrant abdominal pain and questionable appendicitis upto three days was a safe way to reduce the rate of negative appendicectomies and unnecessary surgical exploration.

Abdominal Pain↗

Appendicitis with bladder involvement: CT appearance.

A case of appendicitis presenting with microscopic hematuria and a suprapubic mass involving the bladder is described. Computed tomography (CT) is a valuable aid in the diagnosis of atypical or otherwise unsuspected appendicitis. Besides first suggesting the diagnosis of appendicitis, CT was also able to demonstrate the full extent of the inflammatory process preoperatively in this case.

Adult↗

Helicobacter pylori does not play a role in the aetiology of acute appendicitis.

The aetiology of acute appendicitis remains uncertain. H. pylori is viable outside the gastroduodenum, however its pathological role outside this area has not been fully investigated. Ten consecutive patients with a histological diagnosis of acute appendicitis were investigated for H. pylori status by serology, and by culture, histology, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the appendiceal specimens. One patient had positive serology for H. pylori, however PCR analysis was negative. Culture failed to reveal H. pylori colonies. Histology in 5 cases did reveal organisms with a morphological appearance of H. pylori, but PCR analysis confirmed that H. pylori was not present. Using a variety of methods, with PCR acting as the 'gold standard', we have shown that H. pylori is not associated with acute appendicitis.

Acute Disease↗

[Appendicitis in childhood].

From 1989 to 1995 high-resolution ultrasonography (US) was performed in 3,546 children (age: 1-17 years) with clinically suspected appendicitis. A total of 518 patients underwent laparotomy; 420 had histologically proven acute or perforated appendicitis (prevalence 11.8%). In these children, the sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy of US examination were 90%, 97% and 96% respectively. The use of US in clinically doubtful acute abdomen may allow earlier diagnosis of acute appendicitis; in 1995 the rate of unnecessary appendectomy was reduced to 13%.

Abdomen, Acute↗

Unusual perforated appendicitis within umbilical hernia: CT findings.

We present the first imaging report of perforated appendicitis in an umbilical hernia. Computed tomography demonstrated a gas-forming abscess within an umbilical hernia and the cecum was found inside the hernial sac, with an inner relation to the abscess. Computed tomographic findings suggested appendicitis as possible diagnosis, which was confirmed at surgery. Physicians must consider appendicitis within the differential diagnosis of an abdominal abscess located near to the cecum, even at an unexpected location.

Appendicitis↗

Value of laparoscopic appendectomy in perforated appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic appendectomy in patients with perforated appendicitis. METHODS: This study involved a total of 73 consecutive patients who had undergone appendectomy for perforated appendicitis between January 1999 and December 2004. While 39 patients underwent open appendectomy (OA) during the first 3 years, the remaining 34 patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) during the last 3 years. RESULTS: There was no case of LA converted to OA. No significant difference was found in the operating time between the two groups. Laparoscopic appendectomy was associated with less analgesic use, earlier oral intake restart (LA, 2.6 days; OA, 5.1 days), shorter median hospital stay (LA, 11.7 days; OA, 25.8 days), and lower rate of wound infections (LA, 8.8%; OA, 43.6%). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that LA for perforated appendicitis is a safe procedure that may prove to have significant clinical advantages over conventional surgery.

Abscess↗