Pain as the Only Consistent Sign of Acute Appendicitis: Lack of Inflammatory Signs Does Not Exclude the Diagnosis

Noninflammatory obstructive appendicopathy: A rare presentation of abdominal pain

Patients with appendicitis-like abdominal pain but negative laboratory and radiological findings can have rare alternative aetiologies such as obstructive appendicopathy. A normal appendix may be seen in surgery, and removal with consent is curative.

The Systemic Inflammatory Response in Patients with Appendicitis: a Progressive Phenomenon

The systemic inflammatory response has been described in patients with appendicitis. However, its progression from onset of symptoms to diagnosis has not been characterized. The specific purpose of this study was to describe and characterize the systemic inflammatory response to appendicitis. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. One hundred eighty-three patients were studied, divided into four groups from onset of symptoms to diagnosis. The primary outcome measure was to determine the systemic inflammatory response to appendicitis according to the established groups of time intervals. The secondary outcome measure was the analysis of C-reactive protein for the same purpose. The variables of the systemic inflammatory response, according to diagnostic intervals, showed non-significant differences in white blood cell count. The temperature rose constantly after 48 h, reaching its peak after 72 h (p = 0.001), and the respiratory rate rose after 73 h (p < 0.0001). After 73 h, most patients had three or four systemic inflammatory response criteria (p < 0.0001). C-reactive protein levels rose progressively, showing higher levels after 48 h (p = 0.005). The inflammatory response to appendicitis is progressive, being more marked along the timeline from onset of symptoms to diagnosis.

The outcome of antibiotic therapy for uncomplicated appendicitis with diameters ≤ 10 mm

PURPOSE

Although many patients receive antibiotic therapy for uncomplicated appendicitis, the relatively high treatment failure and recurrence rates are problematic. We assumed that patients with appendicitis and appendiceal diameters ≤ 10 mm, have better outcomes. The purpose of this prospective non-randomized study was to assess the outcomes of antibiotic therapy in patients with uncomplicated appendicitis and appendiceal diameters ≤ 10 mm.

METHODS

Over 2 years, we enrolled 119 patients who initially received antibiotic therapy. The failure of antibiotic therapy was defined as the need for appendectomy and true appendicitis. Peritonitis was defined as either complicated appendicitis or intra-abdominal abscess postoperatively. We evaluated the rates of treatment failure, peritonitis, and recurrence.

RESULTS

Nine patients (7.6%) failed to respond to initial antibiotic therapy, and 6 had true appendicitis after subsequent surgery. Two patients had complicated appendicitis (peritonitis), but no patient displayed intra-abdominal abscess postoperatively. During a median follow-up period months of 14 months, 14 patients (12.7%) experienced recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Antibiotic therapy without surgery may be a safe treatment for uncomplicated appendicitis in select patients with appendiceal diameters ≤ 10 mm.

Effect of surgeon's judgement on the diagnosis of acute appendicitis

OBJECTIVE

The accuracy of a surgeon's judgement still remains to be controversial in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, which is a diagnosis usually based on laboratory data and imaging tests.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients with a possible diagnosis of acute appendicitis were reviewed retrospectively with regard to demographic variables, laboratory and imaging results, and treatment modalities.

RESULTS

There were 128 patients with a mean age of 31.2±14 years. The mean white blood cell count and the proportion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes were 11403±4669/mm(3) and 75±11%, respectively. Appendectomy was performed on 66 (51.6%) patients. Conservative management was applied to 62 (48.4%) patients. Statistical analysis showed that patients with appendicitis have a higher white blood cell count (p=0.015) and a higher proportion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (p=0.023). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy rates were 84.6%, 63.7% and 74.3% for ultrasound and 100%, 86.7% and 92.2% for computed tomography, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Diagnosis based on patients' laboratory and imaging data, in combination with, the surgeon's judgement appears to yield the best outcomes in patients with suspicion of acute appendicitis.

Efficacy of Short-Term Antibiotic Therapy for Consecutive Patients with Mild Appendicitis

Although antibiotic therapy seemed to be a safe treatment option for acute appendicitis, indications of this treatment have not been fully evaluated. We hypothesized that clinical and radiologic mild appendicitis may be a candidate for short-term antibiotic therapy. The purpose of present study was to examine the efficacy and the recurrence rate of short-term antibiotic therapy for consecutive patients with mild appendicitis. A prospective observational study was conducted over 3 years. The mild appendicitis was defined as the intermediate Alvarado score (4-8) and dilated appendix from 6 mm to 10 mm in radiologic study. All patients received initial antibiotics administration with clinical observation during 48 hours. The failure to respond to therapy and the incidence of recurrence were assessed. There were 107 enrolled patients with the mean Alvarado score of 6 ± 1 and the mean appendiceal diameter of 7.4 ± 1 mm. Of these, 97 (91%) exhibited improved symptoms and were discharged. The remaining 10 patients underwent surgery because of clinical aggravation, and pathology revealed true appendicitis in six of them. Of the 97 patients in whom the initial treatment was successful, five patients (5%) exhibited recurrent symptoms during a median follow-up period of 18 months. Of these five patients, three were treated with surgery (all true appendicitis), and the remaining two were once again treated with antibiotics. Patients with suspected appendicitis, those in whom mild appendicitis was diagnosed after clinical and radiologic evaluations, were found to benefit from short-term antibiotic therapy.