This paper presents a case report of a primary lymphoma of the appendix as the underlying cause of acute appendicitis. As in previous reported cases, diagnosis can only be made intraoperatively followed by a proven histopathological picture as they present with an acute surgical abdomen.
A young boy presented with history of abdominal trauma. History and initial clinical findings suggested a soft tissue injury. Due to increasing abdominal pain and fever, we proceeded with an exploratory laparotomy with a diagnosis of intra-abdominal injury, at which we found a perforated appendix. Appendicitis following blunt abdominal trauma needs high index of suspicion.
A retrospective study of the pathology seen in 1,000 consecutive appendicectomy specimens with a pre-operative diagnosis of acute appendicitis, was made in an attempt to find common factors which might throw light on the aetiology of the disease. Acute inflammation was seen in 775 cases. In 225 cases where no inflammation was seen, 168 appendices were associated with other pathology, i.e., lymphoid hyperplasia, fibrosis and tumour. In 57 cases the appendix was not inflamed. Acute inflammation was seen more in males and in patients aged below 30 years, while normal appendices were more commonly seen in females of reproductive age.