Acute Appendicitis
Acute Appendicitis
Acute Appendicitis
Aetiology
Pathology
Bacteria in the lumen initiate infection Small ulcer (due to impacted faecilith) Inflammation sets in oedema of the wall purulent inflammation leading to thrombosis and gangrene Greater omentum or small intestine adhere to appendix and localises sepsis
Patho Contind
Clinical features
50 % have classical presentation Its a mobile structure, clinical pic. Is dictated by the anatomical position of the inflamed organ Abdominal pain, initially central, colicky in obstructive appendix and constant in nonobstructive Pain shifts to RIF as inflammation involves the parietal peritoneum, agg. by movement and coughing
Pt. is flushed with dry tongue Mild pyrexia Slight tacycardia Tender RIF esp. McBurneys point with rigidity, tenderness on percussion Rebound tenderness offers no added help Rovsings sign PR and vaginal exam. May be normal
Rectocaecal appendix
Tenderness to deep plapation is lacking and muscular rigidity absent Rt. Hip slightly flexed due to psoas spasm Passive extension or hyperextension of the hip increases the abdominal pain
Post-ileal
Symptoms are vogue and pain is poorly localized Vomiting more persistent Diarrhoea more frequent
Pelvic
Diarrhoea Increased freq. of micturation, microscpic haematuria Rectal of vaginal examination may localize tenderness in the rectovaginal pouch Psoas spasm Passive internal rotation of Rt. Hip may aggravate pain (obturator sign)
Young Children
Non specific presentation difficult to differentiate from mesenteric adenitis and enteritis Delay in diagnosis and short greater omentum results in higher rates of peritonitis, perforation and abscess formation
Elderly
Symptoms less pronounced, May be afebrile Normal white cell count Delayed treatment resulting in higher rates of perforation Diminished physiological reserves Increased mortality
Pregnancy
Displaced appendix, Atypical presentaion Nausea/vomiting more pronounced Tenderness on Rt. Side abdomen, not marked US abdomen is helpful Risk of fetal death is 10% (UK) Perforation significantly increases risk to the mother and fetus (mortality 2% and 30% respect.)
Investigations
Leucocytosis in about 90% Predominantly neutrophils Usually normal Leucocytes or red cells in urine in retrocaecal and pelvic appendicitis
Urinalysis
AXR to exclude other cuases Usual findings but not specific, haziness in RIF, dilated distal ileal loops
Can be used in atypical hx and to exclude other pathology
US abdomen
Ix
Laparoscopy
Good visualization of abdomen and pelvis Helpful in atypical presentation, esp young women Rarely required to make diagnosis
CT abdomen
DDs
Thorax
Pneumonia Intestinal Obstruction Ac. Cholecystitis Perf. Peptic ulcer Gastroenteritis Mesenteric adenitis Terminal ileitis Meckels diverticulitis
Abdomen
DDs
Pelvic
Urinary System
Ectopic pregnancy Ruptured ovarian follicle Torted ovarian cyst Salpingitis/ PID Rt. Pyelonephritis Rt. Ureteric colic DKA, Rectus sheath haematoma, Pancreatitis, preherpatic pain on the Rt. 10th and 11th dorsal nerves
Others
Alvarados score