Early childhood appendicitis is still a difficult diagnosis.

Acta Paediatr

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Finland.

Published: April 1996

We report on 90 pre-school children operated on for suspected acute appendicitis. The data analysis was retrospective. The outcome of exploration was negative in 54% (49/90) of cases; inflamed nonperforated appendix was removed 28% (25%/90) and a perforated appendix in 18% (16/90) of cases. In infants aged < 3 years (n = 26) the perforation rate was 60%, and in children age 4-5 years (n = 64) it was 27%. Tenderness in the iliac fossa, blood leukocytosis and urinanalysis had little diagnostic value. Preoperative signs of diffuse peritonitis and elevated values of serum C-reactive protein were found more frequently only in the children with a perforated appendix. There was no mortality and the postoperative morbidity varied between 10 and 20%. Thus, although appendectomy is currently a safe procedure in children, more specific non-invasive diagnostic acids are still needed to reduce the number of negative explorations and the rate of perforation.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1651-2227.1996.tb14061.xDOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

perforated appendix
8
early childhood
4
childhood appendicitis
4
appendicitis difficult
4
difficult diagnosis
4
diagnosis report
4
report pre-school
4
children
4
pre-school children
4
children operated
4

Similar Publications

Background And Objectives: Securing the base of the appendix is the most critical part of laparoscopic appendectomy in children. Determining the average values of the appendix, will facilitate the creation of suitable instruments, and will also have an impact on research in imaging studies.

Methods: One hundred and eight patients with the acute appendicitis were randomized into 2 groups: group I: children aged 2-10 years old, group II: children >10 years of age.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Amyand's hernia is a rare condition defined by the presence of the vermiform appendix within an inguinal hernia sac. The occurrence of Amyand's hernia with testicular necrosis is particularly uncommon, further complicating its clinical presentation and management.

Case Presentation: A 50-year-old male presented with a two-year history of progressive right scrotal swelling, acutely worsened over four days with pain and fever.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Persistent ascending mesocolon (PAM) is a rare congenital anomaly in ⁓2%-4% of individuals. PAM is associated with various complications, including volvulus of the colon and caecum, bowel perforation, intestinal obstruction, and adhesions. This case is reported on a 48-year-old woman who reported to the Ho Teaching Hospital specialist clinic with a 13-year history of initial painless and reducible paraumbilical swelling.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Perforated Meckel's Diverticulum in an Adult that Resembles Acute Appendicitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Curr Med Imaging

January 2025

Medical Imaging Department, King Abdullah Medical Complex, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Perforation is one of the rarest effects of Meckel's diverticulum and may clinically resemble acute appendicitis.

Case Report: A 34-year-old woman with pain in the right iliac fossa, nausea, and vomiting for three days was brought to the emergency department. An abdominal examination indicated rebound tenderness in the area of the right iliac fossa.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Duplication of the vermiform appendix is a rare anomaly observed in patients undergoing appendectomy. A 27-month-old male toddler presented with a 9-day history of abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, progressing to an acute abdomen with signs of severe peritonitis. Intraoperative findings revealed a periappendicular infiltrate from a perforated vermiform appendix of the tenia coli type.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!