Appenditis (Acute)

Appenditis (Acute)

Inflammation of the appendix

Causes

Blockage of the appendix duct with stool or particles, followed by infection by intestinal bacteria

Clinical features

• Constipation (common)

• Pain situated around the umbilicus

− crampy, keeps on increasing in severity

− after some hours the pain is localised in the right iliac fossa and becomes

continuous

• There may be nausea and vomiting

• Locally there is tenderness and rigidity (guarding) in the right iliac fossa

• Generalized abdominal pain follows rupture when the contents are poured into the

abdominal cavity

• Low grade fever

• There are signs of peritonitis
Differential diagnosis

• Salpingitis (in females)

• Ectopic pregnancy

• Ovarian cyst

• Kidney infection

• Ureteritis (inflammation of the ureter)

• Intestinal obstruction

Investigations

No special investigations − good history and physical examination are essential for

diagnosis

Complete blood count

Management

Emergency surgery

If there are signs of peritonitis:

Give broad−spectrum antibiotics