appendicitis Flashcards
define appendicitis
Inflammation of the appendix
what is the pahthophysiology behind appendicitis?
- appendix lumen obstructed
- Gut flora invade appendix wall , fluid and mucus build up
- Wall becomes inflamed + infected
- Pressure in appendix increases
- increased rupture risk
- Leads to oedema , ischaemia , necrosis , inflammation and SBP
What are the causes behind appendicitis?
lumen obstruction
1. faecolith- stones made of faeces
2. lymphoid hyperplasia ( of Peyer patches)
3. filarial worms
4. bacteria
what are the complications associated with appendicitis?
-SBP
· Peri-appendical abscess
what is the epidemiology for appendicitis?
Peak age 10-20 years
· Males
· Most common surgical emergency
what are the symptoms of appendicitis?
- Umbilical pain
↳ can progress to RIF (right iliac fossa) - Rebound tenderness+ abdo guarding
- Pyrexia (fever) N + V , diarrhoea /constipation
what are the signs of appendicitis?
1 rosving
-> press on RLQ>- causes LLQ pain
2 obturator
↳internal rotation of thigh pain
3 PSOAS
↳> lying on left side , painful toextend right leg
how is appendicitis diagnosed?
1 CT (gold standard)
↳ of abdomen + pelvis
2 Pregnancy test
↳ rule out ectopic pregnancy
3 F B C
- High WBC, High CRP, High ESR
how is appendicitis treated?
Antibiotics and then
appendectomy
↳ must drain abscesses first