Presentation
CONCLUSIONS: More than half of patients with ascending retrocecal appendicitis presented with atypical clinical presentation. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Here we present a patient of acute subhepatic-retrocaecal appendicitis in whom clinical and US findings mimicked acute cholecystitis. [tjtes.org]
Entire Body System
- Pain
RESULTS: Patients presented with right lower abdominal pain (49%, 16/33), right flank pain (24%, 8/33), right upper abdominal pain (18%, 6/33), and periumbilical pain (15%, 5/33). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Initially, pain from the appendix and its visceral peritoneum is referred to the umbilical region. As the appendix becomes increasingly inflamed, it irritates the parietal peritoneum, causing the pain to localise to the right lower quadrant. [teachmeanatomy.info]
- Inflammation
Clinical Relevance: Inflammation of the Appendix Inflammation of the appendix is known as appendicitis, and is a common cause for acute severe abdominal pain. [teachmeanatomy.info]
Mesenteric panniculitis, when more immune system cells enter the mesentery and cause inflammation. Retractile mesenteritis, when inflammation worsens, and scar tissue begins forming in the mesentery. [medicalnewstoday.com]
Computed tomography (CT) identified correctly retrocecal appendicitis and inflammation in the retroperitoneum in all cases. In addition, abscesses in the retrocecal space (n = 2) and subhepatic collections (n = 2) were also demonstrated. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
These include the fact that biopsies of affected areas show chronic, ongoing inflammation. [rarediseases.org]
Axial non-contrast Retrocecal inflammation and fluid with an appendicolith, in keeping with appendicitis. 2 public playlists includes this case Interesting Cases Appendix Related Radiopaedia articles Appendicolith Promoted articles (advertising) PlayAdd [radiopaedia.org]
- Fever
A 6-year-old girl had lower abdominal pain for 3 days and high fever on the day of admission. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Fever, nausea, vomiting, altered stool pattern, blood with stool, tenderness, distension? Painful urination, blood in urine ? Recent trauma, herniation? Stressors? Other risks? ...Read more [healthtap.com]
A WBC count >15,000/µL and/or a fever >101°F may signal a ruptured appendix. The urine may contain WBCs, RBCs, or both. [clinicaladvisor.com]
- Sepsis
or neoplasm) End result is mucosal ischemia and ulceration with bacterial obergrowth, which can progress to gangrene and perforation Perforation Occurs in 20-30% of cases Typically occurs 48-72h from onset of symptoms Can result in peritonitis and sepsis [faculty.washington.edu]
Infants with perforated appendicitis often manifest complications such as intestinal obstruction and systemic sepsis (5). [meddean.luc.edu]
Failure to recognize this possibility may lead to delays in treatment and may result in complications such as perforation, abscess formation and sepsis. Footnotes Competing interests: None declared. This article has been peer reviewed. [cmaj.ca]
When there is severe sepsis, a full course of 5 days of therapy is recommended. Alternatively, an appendicectomy can be performed laparoscopically. [surgwiki.com]
The patient was diagnosed as an acute abdomen due to a perforated appendix associated with peritonitis and sepsis. The patient underwent an urgent laparotomy, which revealed pus that was evacuated. [academic.oup.com]
- Fatigue
Other common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, early satiety, anorexia, fatigue, fever, unintended weight loss and altered bowel habits (either constipation or diarrhea). [rarediseases.org]
Other symptoms of mesenteric panniculitis include abdominal and digestive complications, such as: feeling full after eating very little nausea vomiting bloating diarrhea constipation fatigue fever loss of appetite weight loss The symptoms of mesenteric [medicalnewstoday.com]
A few days later a poor appetite, fatigue, fevers to 101°F, nonbilious vomiting, and non-bloody, watery diarrhea developed. [journals.lww.com]
Fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, weight loss, fatigue and constipation are some of the other associated clinical symptoms. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Gastrointestinal
- Abdominal Pain
Ascending retrocecal appendicitis presenting with right upper abdominal pain may be clinically indistinguishable from acute pathology in the gallbladder, liver, biliary tree, right kidney and right urinary tract. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Keywords: Computed tomography Retrocecal appendicitis Upper abdominal pain Issue Date: 2009 Citation: Ong, E.M.W., Venkatesh, S.K. (2009). Ascending retrocecal appendicitis presenting with right upper abdominal pain: Utility of computed tomography. [scholarbank.nus.edu.sg]
In patients presented with right abdominal pain with atypical clinical, laboratory and ultrasound (US) findings, acute appendicitis should be eliminated with computed tomography (CT). [tjtes.org]
- Vomiting
[citation needed] Special bags are often supplied on boats for sick passengers to vomit into. Most people try to contain their vomit by vomiting into a sink, toilet, or trash can, as vomit is difficult and unpleasant to clean. [en.wikipedia.org]
Fever, nausea, vomiting, altered stool pattern, blood with stool, tenderness, distension? Painful urination, blood in urine ? Recent trauma, herniation? Stressors? Other risks? ...Read more [healthtap.com]
Retrocecal Appendicitis in a Pediatric Patient Detected by Point-of-care Ultrasound Abstract A 10-year-old male presented to our pediatric emergency department with progressive, colicky abdominal pain for one day, associated with fever and non-bilious vomiting [escholarship.org]
Absence of migration of pain occurs in about 25% of cases Pain may radiate to right testicle in men Anorexia occurs in 90% of cases Nausea and vomiting occur in 60-80% of cases (abdominal pain should precede vomiting; if abdominal pain starts after vomiting [faculty.washington.edu]
Pain usually precedes any nausea and vomiting. If vomiting is the presenting symptom, other diagnoses should be seriously considered. In 80% of cases, physical examination will reveal right lower- quadrant tenderness with guarding and rebound. [clinicaladvisor.com]
- Acute Abdomen
Clinical science Physician Summary Appendicitis refers to acute inflammation of the appendix, and is the most common cause of acute abdomen requiring emergency surgery. [amboss.com]
She was transferred to our hospital, with an acute surgical abdomen. [academic.oup.com]
[…] emergency with acute pain in right upper abdomen. [ispub.com]
[citation needed] Peritonitis is an example of an acute abdomen. [en.wikipedia.org]
- Obturator Sign
Obturator sign The obturator internus and nearby muscles Differential diagnosis (obturator internus muscle irritation) due to appendicitis The obturator sign or Cope's obturator test is an indicator of irritation to the obturator internus muscle.[1] The [en.wikipedia.org]
[…] rebound tenderness at McBurney's point Psoas/Obturator sign raise the patient's right leg with the knee flexed rotate the leg internally at the hip increased abdominal pain indicates a positive obturator sign Rovsing's sign pressure over the descending [medbullets.com]
Anatomic basis for the obturator sign: inflamed appendix in the pelvis is in contact with the obturator internus muscle, which is stretched by this maneuver. [aafp.org]
O bturator (Cope’s obturator) sign: Flexion and medial rotation at hip produces pain due to irritation of obturator muscle in pelvic appendicits. 5. [medchrome.com]
- Abdominal Tenderness
Symptoms Possible signs and symptoms of mesenteric lymphadenitis include: Abdominal pain, often centered on the lower right side, but the pain can be more widespread General abdominal tenderness Fever Mesenteric lymph node enlargement Depending on what's [mayoclinic.org]
Fever occurs in 70% of cases (often absent in elderly and immunosuppressed patients) Abdominal tenderness Present in > 95% of patients Cutaneous hyperesthesia may be present in "Sherren's triangle" (umbilicus-pubic tubercle-anterior super iliac spine) [faculty.washington.edu]
Appendicitis is acute inflammation of the vermiform appendix, typically resulting in abdominal pain, anorexia, and abdominal tenderness. Diagnosis is clinical, often supplemented by CT or ultrasonography. [msdmanuals.com]
[…] sure 5-6: compatible 6-9: probable >9: confirmed TZANAKIS SCORING SYSTEM Right lower abdominal tenderness : 4 points Rebound tenderness : 3 points Presence of white blood cells greater than 12,000 in the blood : 2 points Presence of positive ultrasound [medchrome.com]
[…] tool=bestpractice.com A classic sign is right lower quadrant abdominal tenderness (McBurney's sign) and localised rebound tenderness, if appendix is anterior. [bestpractice.bmj.com]
Neurologic
- Hyperactivity
Hyperactive bowel sounds occur early as GI contents attempt to overcome the obstruction; hypoactive bowel sounds occur late. Exclude incarcerated hernias of the groin, femoral triangle, and obturator foramina. [intranet.tdmu.edu.ua]
Urogenital
- Hematuria
[…] can be appendicitis due to an inflamed appendix next to the bladder and hematuria may represent nephrolithiasis.. [cdemcurriculum.com]
In this report, we present a 9- year old boy who developed gross hematuria and anuria 6 days post- appendectomy. Case: The child presented with acute abdominal pain, fever and vomiting. [clinicsinsurgery.com]
[…] hip in flexion due to spasm of psoas muscle, with worsening of pain with passive extension of hte hip)-Can see in retrocecal appendicitis Leukocytosis has sensitivity 76% and specificity of 52% Elevation of CRP is usually present Urinalysis may show hematuria [faculty.washington.edu]
Others: Diarrhea (May be mistaken for gastroenteritis) Pyuria / Hematuria (May be mistaken for UTI) Facial flushing B. Signs: Mnemonic: ABC OPqRST A (Blumberg sign), B (Rovsing’s sign), C (Psoas sign), D (Obturator sign) 1. [medchrome.com]
The kidney can have a variable sonographic appearance from normal to focal or global enlargement and varied echogenicity. 4,21 Urolithiasis can also overlap with acute appendicitis. 21 Hematuria helps make a determination clinically in the setting of [jaocr.org]
- Pelvic Pain
Atypical pain may present in various ways. Pelvic appendix – pain initially felt in RLQ, no visceral symptoms and pain on urination, may cause suprapubic pain (5). May present with profuse diarrhoea and pelvic pain. [teachmepaediatrics.com]
McBurney sign) pelvic pain, diarrhea and tenesmus (pelvic appendix) flank pain (retrocecal appendix) groin pain - appendix within an inguinal hernia (Amyand hernia) or a femoral hernia (De Garengeot hernia) right upper quadrant pain (subhepatic appendicitis [radiopaedia.org]
The pain is not as severe as that associated with abdominal or pelvic appendicitis and the pain rarely localises well to the right iliac fossa. [surgwiki.com]
Because many gynecologic conditions can mimic appendicitis, a pelvic examination should be performed on all women with abdominal pain. [aafp.org]
Workup
Most often, however a workup including lab tests and imaging is required. Workup Laboratory studies There is no single lab test specific for the diagnosis of appendicitis. [cdemcurriculum.com]
Before his extensive GI tract workup, he had undergone investigations to exclude cardiac, renal and liver disease. In addition, mucosal disease of the GI tract had been excluded. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Treatment
Significant updates on bariatric surgery, Barrett's esophagus, endoscopic ultrasound, endosonography, treatment of liver disease, and much more keep you current on the latest advances. [books.google.com]
A combined treatment of ultrasound or CT-guided percutaneous drainage and systemic antibiotics for psoas abscess has been successfully recently and has become the preferred method for treatment [27]. [omicsonline.org]
This video demonstrates the laparoscopic treatment of a retrocaecal appendicitis performed by a resident in general surgery. The retrocaecal position of the appendix is found in 25% of cases. [websurg.com]
Advanced diagnosis and treatment Mayo Clinic doctors will work with you to review all of your treatment options and choose the treatment that best suits your needs and goals. [mayoclinic.org]
Prognosis Most appendicitis patients recover easily with treatment, but complications can occur if treatment is delayed or if peritonitis occurs secondary to a perforated appendix. [academickids.com]
Prognosis
Prognosis Special patient groups Appendicitis in pregnancy Children, the elderly, and pregnant women are at higher risk of perforation! [amboss.com]
Prognosis Most appendicitis patients recover easily with treatment, but complications can occur if treatment is delayed or if peritonitis occurs secondary to a perforated appendix. [academickids.com]
Treatment and prognosis The mainstay of treatment is supportive, as the disease is typically self-limiting. If severe or protracted medical therapy with corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide or azathioprine can be contemplated 2. [radiopaedia.org]
Etiology
Etiology Pathophysiology Clinical features Nonspecific symptoms Progressive fever Anorexia (hamburger sign ) Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;, and/or constipation Abdominal pain: classical presentation Initially, dull migratory periumbilical pain (due to visceral [amboss.com]
If left lower quadrant pressure by the examiner leads only to left-sided pain or pain on both the left and right sides, then there may be some other pathologic etiology. [en.wikipedia.org]
Introduction Increased frequency 10-30 years of age More common in US due to low fiber diet Most common etiologies are lymphoid hyperplasia fecolith obstruction Presentation Symptoms loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting fever pain moves from periumbilical [medbullets.com]
Leu SY, Leonard MB, Beart RW Jr, Dozois RR (1986) Psoas abscess: Changing patterns of diagnosis and etiology. Dis Colon Rectum 29: 694-698. Procaccino JA, Lavery IC, Fazio VW, Oakley JR (1991) Psoas abscess: difficulties encountered. [omicsonline.org]
Laparoscopy can be used for diagnosis as well as definitive treatment of appendicitis; it may be especially helpful in women with lower abdominal pain of unclear etiology. [msdmanuals.com]
Epidemiology
Epidemiology Common cause of acute abdomen Lifetime risk: ∼ 8% Peak incidence: 10–19 years of age References:[1][2] Epidemiological data refers to the US, unless otherwise specified. [amboss.com]
Epidemiology and pathophysiology Peak incidence at 10-30yo Thought to result from obstruction of the lumen of the appendix, e.g. due to stool, lymphoid hyperplasia, vegetable matter, parasites, or neoplasm) End result is mucosal ischemia and ulceration [faculty.washington.edu]
The epidemiology of appendicitis and appendectomy in the United States. Am J Epidemiol 1990;132:910. PubMed Google Scholar Browne DS. Laparoscopic-guided appendicectomy. A study of 100 consecutive cases. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 1990;30:231–233. [link.springer.com]
[…] appendicitis with generalized peritonitis ICD-10: K35.3 - acute appendicitis with localized peritonitis ICD-10: K35.8 - other and unspecified acute appendicitis ICD-10: K35.80 - unspecified acute appendicitis ICD-10: K35.89 - other acute appendicitis Epidemiology [pathologyoutlines.com]
Addiss DG, Shaffer N, Fowler BS (1990)The epidemiology of appendicitis and appendectomy in the United States. Am J Epidemiol 132:910. Alvarado A (1986) A practical score for the early diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Ann Emerg Med 15:557. [transbiomedicine.com]
Pathophysiology
Etiology Pathophysiology Clinical features Nonspecific symptoms Progressive fever Anorexia (hamburger sign ) Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;, and/or constipation Abdominal pain: classical presentation Initially, dull migratory periumbilical pain (due to visceral [amboss.com]
Pathophysiology • Distention of this magnitude reflex nausea and vomiting • Capillaries and venules are occluded, but arteriolar inflow continues engorgement and vascular congestion • inflammatory process soon involves the serosa of the appendix parietal [slideshare.net]
Epidemiology and pathophysiology Peak incidence at 10-30yo Thought to result from obstruction of the lumen of the appendix, e.g. due to stool, lymphoid hyperplasia, vegetable matter, parasites, or neoplasm) End result is mucosal ischemia and ulceration [faculty.washington.edu]
[…] and young adults, most commonly occurring between early teens and 25 but may occur at any age; higher incidence in younger subjects likely related to increased lymphoid tissue More common with a low bulk Western diet, less common in Africa and Asia Pathophysiology [pathologyoutlines.com]
Prevention
Rapidly find the answers you need with separate sections on diseases and disorders, differential diagnosis, clinical algorithms, laboratory results, and clinical preventive services, plus an at-a-glance format that uses cross-references, outlines, bullets [books.google.com]
To prevent conversion due to hemodynamic instability, it is mandatory to work with an ultralow intra-abdominal pressure under 8mmHg. [websurg.com]
Timely surgical intervention by exploratory laparotomy and drainage of the abscess by single or multiple incisions can prevent morbidity and mortality. [medresearch.in]
Recommendations for prevention and control of influenza in children, 2017-2018. Pediatrics. 2017;140:e20172550. Sullivan JE, et al. Clinical report — Fever and antipyretic use in children. Pediatrics. 2011;127:580. [mayoclinic.org]