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.
Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency. The etiology and pathophysiology of appendicitis have been well investigated. Aggregatibacter aphrophilus is a fastidious gram-negative coccobacilli. Detection of this organism in clinical samples and its differentiation from Haemophilus aphrophilus or from Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in routine microbiology settings could be difficult.
Perforated appendicitis, with its increased complication rate, today still poses a formidable problem in the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital. Out of 1694 emergency operations performed by our unit in 1987, there were 927 appendicectomies. A retrospective study of these cases showed 126 cases of perforated appendicitis, which were then subjected to detailed analysis. We have a diagnostic accuracy of 81% and perforation rate of 18%. In addition, it is interesting to note the racial differences in the relationship of diagnostic accuracy to perforation rate. Perforation is associated with an increased wound infection rate. Transperitoneal drainage in perforated appendicitis did not lead to a lower incidence of wound infection or improve postoperative performance. Distinguishing between perforated and non-perforated appendicitis may be difficult. Perforation could occur while awaiting operation. We recommend the early administration of systemic antibiotics should appendicectomy be delayed and the cautious use of drains in cases of perforated appendicitis.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) consider as the most common infections worldwide, with higher risk in patients experienced Acute Appendicitis (AA). The purpose of this study was, to investigate the bacterial profile of UTIs in patients with non-ruptured AA postsurgically, and to assess age- and gender-related links of all AA cases in Karak region, Jordan. Urine samples obtained from 46 cases (32 male and 14 female) aged between 16-70 years were diagnosed as non-ruptured AA, following with isolation and characterization of isolated bacteria. Out of 46 AA cases, uropathogens isolated from 25 (54.3%) UTI cases. Out of these isolates; 42 (73.7%) were gram-negative isolates and 15 (26.3%) were gram-positive bacteria. The percentage of isolates were E. coli (26.3%), Enterobacter species (21%), Enterococcus faecalis and Klebsiella pneumoniea (10.5%) for each, Streptococcus saprophytics and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7%) for each, Yersinia spp. and S. milleri (8.8%). Out of UTI cases, 20 cases (80%) possessed mixed culture, each of them had at least one of Enterobacterial species. i.e. Enterobacter spp. or E. coli or both. More precisely, out of all these positivecases, 2 cases had pure gram positive-bacterial infection (8%), while pure gram negative bacterial infection comprised 48% of them and the rest (44%) were mixed (gram-negative and gram-positive) bacterial infection. Moreover, study revealed a high prevalence rate of AA cases 24 (52.2%) in the ages of 16-22 years, then declining the rate with increasing the age, reaching the lowest rate (4.3%) in ages of 60-70. In addition to age factor, the males significantly more susceptible to AA cases than females by 2.2-fold. Antibiotic sensitivity test revealed high resistance capability of E. coli to the most used antibiotics except for nitrofurantoin. Bacterial isolates showing sensitivity against ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid and nitrofurantoin, with a superiority for the first two. Results demonstrate high prevalence rate of UTIs in patients with AA. For avoiding, the needless use of antibiotics through sticking to our accountability as healthcare provisioner to pursuit the antimicrobial management.
Diagnosing acute appendicitis in children can be difficult due to atypical presenting symptoms. While there are reported cases of acute appendicitis or appendiceal masses causing unilateral hydronephrosis, bilateral hydronephrosis as a complication of appendiceal mass is very rare. We report a case of a child who presented with cardinal symptomatology associated with the urogenital tract. Ultrasound (US) investigation showed a pelvic mass causing bilateral hydronephrosis. An initial diagnosis of a pelvic teratoma was made based on the US and computed tomography (CT) scan findings. The final diagnosis of an appendiceal mass causing bilateral hydronephrosis was established intraoperatively.
Acute appendicitis has been known as a disease entity for well over a century but a confident diagnosis before surgery in all patients suspected of the condition is still not possible. Timely diagnosis is essential to minimise morbidity due to possible perforation of the inflamed organ in the event treatment is delayed; so much so that surgeons often preferred to operate at the slightest suspicion of the diagnosis in the past. This resulted in the removal of many normal appendixes. When the diagnosis of appendicitis is clear from the history and clinical examination, then no further investigation is necessary and prompt surgical treatment is appropriate. Where there is doubt about the diagnosis however it is advisable to resort to imaging studies such as abdominal ultrasound or computed tomography to clear such suspicions before subjecting the patient to an appendicectomy. These studies would also help avoid delays in surgery in deserving patients.
It is crucial to realize that both omental infarction and acute appendicitis can occur simultaneously in the children as both diseases are managed differently. Omental infarction itself is rare in the pediatric group, and its association with acute appendicitis is even rarer. Both diseases usually present with right sided abdominal pain. Ultrasound is the choice of imaging modality in the investigation of abdominal pain in the children. It should not be content if omental infarction is detected, whilst the normal appendix is not seen. We reported a case of simultaneous omental infarction and acute appendicitis in a child who presented with 3 days history of right sided abdominal pain. It was diagnosed preoperatively by ultrasound. Prompt surgical intervention was proceeded and the child made uneventful recovery.
A 1 year review of 529 cases of acute appendicitis, treated at the University Hospital in 1990, was performed. Perforation rate was 23.7% and delay in diagnosis was found to be significant. Patients above 50 years of age were particularly at risk. Diagnostic error was 19.3% and it was a problem not only in young women but also in children. Temperature and rectal examinations were not found to be helpful in the diagnosis in contrast to leukocytosis. Waiting time for operation was long (median 7 hours), be it for a perforated or a nonperforated appendicitis.
Appendicitis within an Amyand's hernia is rare; when it occurs it is often misdiagnosed as a strangulated inguinal hernia. Management of these cases needs to be individualized according to the presentation. In uncomplicated cases, we recommend concurrent appendectomy and darning repair of the hernia. We present such a case and review the related literature.
Subhepatically located caecum and appendix is a very rare entity. It occurs due to the anomaly in fetal gut rotation that results in an incomplete rotation and fixation of the intestine. Appendicitis, which is a common surgical emergency, in combination with the abnormal subhepatic location, presents a great challenge in its diagnosis and management. Here, we describe a 42-year-old male with chronic dyspepsia who presented with sepsis and severe pain at his right hypochondriac and epigastric region. The final diagnosis was acute appendicitis of the subhepatic appendix. Our discussion focuses on the diagnostic approach and clinical and surgical management. We hope that our report will increase the awareness among the clinicians and hasten the management of such rare condition to avoid complications.
Alimentary tract duplication is a rare congenital anomaly which may involve any part of the alimentary tract extending from stomach to rectum. Clinical presentation may mimic an inflamed appendix as described in this case. A 9-year-old boy with a clinical diagnosis of perforated appendix was noted to have a normal appendix intra-operatively. On further search for an underlying pathology, a gangrenous ileal duplication was discovered. En-bloc resection with primary bowel anastomosis was done. Histopathology report revealed a gangrenous small bowel duplication. We discuss the preoperative diagnostic dilemma and management options in approaching this rare entity.
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.
In a retrospective study, 455 people were found to have been admitted to the Surgical Unit of the Taiping District Hospital, suspected of acute appendicitis in the study period from 1 July to 31 December 1990. However, only 147 (32.3%) were clinically confirmed to have appendicitis and underwent appendicectomy. Out of these, 120 (81.6%) cases were subjected to detailed analysis. The study showed that the commonest age group affected was the 10 to 20 year old. Males were slightly more often affected but there seemed to be an equal distribution among the major races. The diagnostic accuracy, that is the operated cases that were actually acute appendicitis, was 92.5%. The perforation rate was 31.5%. Fifty-five percent of patients developed some post-operative complications, of which the commonest was fever.
A case report of a missed appendicitis presenting with abdominal wall necrotising fasciitis which extended up to the right knee. This subcutaneous collection in the prepatella region of the right knee presented as a crepitus and mimicked an intraarticular pathology.
Acute scrotal pain and swelling in children is commonly attributed to torsion of the testis or of the testicular appendage. However, following suppurative appendicitis, scrotal abscess secondary to a patent processus vaginalis must be considered.