Chronological Changes in Appendiceal Pathology Among Patients Who Underwent Appendectomy for Suspected Acute Appendicitis

Clinical features and risk factors for appendiceal diverticulitis: a comparative study with acute appendicitis

PURPOSE

Despite their similar clinical characteristics, appendiceal diverticulitis (AD) and acute appendicitis (AA) are pathologically distinct. This study compared the clinical features of AD and AA and identified relevant risk factors.

METHODS

Patients who underwent appendectomy with a preoperative diagnosis of either AD or AA were categorized based on histopathological findings. The two groups were compared in terms of various clinical factors.

RESULTS

Among the 854 patients included in the study, a histopathological evaluation revealed 49 and 805 cases of AD and AA, respectively. A univariate analysis demonstrated that AD was more prevalent than AA among older, taller, and heavier males. A multivariate analysis revealed that male sex, a white blood cell (WBC) count < 13.5 × 103/μL, an eosinophil count ≥ 0.4%, and a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) ≥ 91.6 fL were significant factors differentiating AD from AA. In addition, pathological AD emerged as an independent risk factor for abscess and/or perforation.

CONCLUSIONS

AD was associated with an older age, robust physique, and significant risk of abscess and/or perforation despite a low WBC count. In addition to imaging modalities, the preoperative factors of male sex, a WBC count < 13.5 × 103/μL, an eosinophil count ≥ 0.4%, and a MCV ≥ 91.6 fL may be useful for distinguishing AD from AA.

The intraperitoneal bacteriology and antimicrobial resistance in acute appendicitis among children: a retrospective cohort study between the years 2007-2017

This study aims to describe the microbiology and susceptibility profile of the intraperitoneal flora in complicated appendicitis. It is a retrospective cohort study including children < 18-year-old with pathologically confirmed appendicitis, from 2007 to 2017. It included 1466 children. Intraperitoneal samples were obtained from 655 (44.7%) patients, and 201 (30.7%) had positive culture with 395 pathogens. Gram-negative rods comprised 67.6%, Gram-positive cocci 21.5%, and anaerobes 10.9% of the isolates. Gram-positive cocci were detected in 67 (37.8%) patients. Milleri group Streptococci was the most frequently isolated Gram-positive (44.7%). The proportional rate of Milleri group Streptococci from Gram-positive cocci increased from 9.5 to 56.3% (P < 0.001, OR 12.214). Patients with Gram-positive cocci had longer hospital stay (mean 9.36 + 6.385 vs 7.72 + 4.582, P = 0.036, (CI -3.165, -0.105)) and more complicated disease (89.5% vs 78.4%, P = 0.045, OR 2.342). Patients with Milleri group Streptococci isolates readmitted more frequently (26.5% vs 13.2%, P = 0.05, OR 2.37). Resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanate, gentamicin, ceftazidime, piperacillin-tazobactam, and amikacin were detected in 29.1%, 6.5%, 2.3%, 1.2%, and 0.7% of the Gram-negative rods, respectively.Conclusion: The rates of Gram-positive cocci and particularly Milleri group Streptococci in peritoneal fluid are increasing. More complicated disease and longer hospital stay in Gram-positive cocci and higher readmission rate in Milleri group Streptococci. These emphasize the role of anti-Gram-positive antimicrobials. What is known: • Gram-negative rods are the main isolates in complicated appendicitis. • The choice of antibiotic regimen is an unsettled issue due to resistance. What is new: • Increased rate of Gram-positive cocci and Milleri group Streptococci. • More complicated disease, longer hospital stay, and higher readmission rate.

Conditional CT Strategy-An Effective Tool to Reduce Negative Appendectomy Rate and the Overuse of the CT

(1) Background: Diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) remains challenging; either computed tomography (CT) is universally used or negative appendectomy rates of up to 30% are reported. Transabdominal ultrasound (TUS) as the first-choice imaging modality might be useful in adult patients to reduce the need for CT scans while maintaining low negative appendectomy (NA) rates. The aim of this study was to report the results of the conditional CT strategy for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. (2) Methods: All patients suspected of acute appendicitis were prospectively registered from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2018. Data on their clinical, radiological and surgical outcomes are presented. (3) Results: A total of 1855 patients were enrolled in our study: 1206 (65.0%) were women, 649 (35.0%) were men, and the median age was 34 years (IQR, 24.5–51). TUS was performed in 1851 (99.8%) patients, and CT in 463 (25.0%) patients. Appendices were not visualized on TUS in 1320 patients (71.3%). Furthermore, 172 (37.1%) of 463 CTs were diagnosed with AA, 42 (9.1%) CTs revealed alternative emergency diagnosis and 249 (53.8%) CTs were normal. Overall, 519 (28.0%) patients were diagnosed with AA: 464 appendectomies and 27 diagnostic laparoscopies were performed. The NA rate was 4.2%. The sensitivity and specificity for TUS and CT are as follows: 71.4% and 96.2%; 93.8% and 93.6%. (4) Conclusion: A conditional CT strategy is effective in reducing NA rates and avoids unnecessary CT in a large proportion of patients. Observation and repeated TUS might be useful in unclear cases.

[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on appendicitis in COVID-19 negative children]

The global COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown in Germany had an impact on all areas of social life. In a single-center study, we were able to demonstrate a statistically more frequent occurrence of perforated appendicitis in COVID-19 negative children for the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic (39.5% vs. 20.6%; p = 0.0652). Possible causes for this trend are discussed.

Mucosal prolapse syndrome-like inflammatory polyp protruding from the appendiceal orifice masquerading as an appendiceal neoplasm: A rare case report

We describe a case of a mucosal prolapse syndrome (MPS)-like inflammatory polyp protruding from the appendiceal orifice, mimicking an appendiceal neoplasm. A 48-year-old man presented with lower abdominal pain and elevated white blood cell count and C-reactive protein level. Computed tomography showed a swollen appendix with multiple small saccular lesions and periappendiceal fat stranding and small saccular lesions in the ascending colon and cecum. Ultrasonography showed a swollen appendix 25 mm in diameter with multiple saccular structures and a periappendiceal high-echoic area, suggesting appendiceal diverticulitis. Colonoscopy revealed an erythematous lesion protruding from the appendiceal orifice. An ileocecal resection was performed based on a preoperative diagnosis of appendiceal diverticulitis and tumor. Histopathological examination of the appendix showed multiple mucosal herniations with infiltration of inflammatory cells, indicating appendiceal diverticulitis. The tumor was characterized by glandular duct hyperplasia and stromal expansion with smooth muscle hyperplasia and was diagnosed as an inflammatory polyp resembling an MPS lesion. Although several studies have shown the macroscopic and endoscopic appearance of MPS-like inflammatory lesions associated with colonic diverticular disease, this case was the first to present an inflammatory polyp associated with appendiceal diverticulitis in which the lesion protruding from the appendiceal orifice was masquerading as an appendiceal neoplasm.