Appendicitis Flashcards
1
Q
What is the definition of appendicitis?
A
Inflammation of the appendix
2
Q
What is the lifetime incidence of appendicitis?
A
The lifetime incidence of appendicitis is 6%
3
Q
What is the pathology of appendicitis?
A
- Appendix normally becomes obstructed/infected with faecal matter
- Can just be generalised inflammation
4
Q
What are the risk factors/aetiology of appendicitis?
A
- CF
- Infection
- Obstruction/injury to the bowel
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Low fibre diet
- UC - protective
5
Q
What are the signs/symptoms of appendicitis?
A
- Initially central abdominal pain – radiated to right iliac fossa, coughing or walking makes pain worse
- Nausea/vomiting
- Anorexia
- Diarrhoea
- Pyrexia
- Appendix mass – surgery may not be needed
6
Q
What diseases present similarly to appendicitis?
A
- Non specific mesenteric lymphadenitis
- Acute terminal ileitis – due to Crohns disease
- Inflamed Meckel’s diverticulum
- Functional bowel disease
- IBS
- Gastroenteritis
- Constipation
- Bladder/urine infection
- Pelvic infection
- Ectopic pregnancy
7
Q
What investigations are carried out for suspected appendicitis?
A
- ESR ↑
- CPR ↑
- Pregnancy test
- Urine dipstick – rule out bladder infection
- Ultrasound
- CT
- Abdominal US
8
Q
What are the surgical treatments for appendicitis?
A
- Laparoscopic appendectomy
- Traditional appendectomy – perforated appendix, 1st trimester of pregnancy, previous abdominal surgery, tumours in GI tract
9
Q
What are the pharmacological treatments for appendicitis?
A
- Fluids
- IV Antibiotics
- Analgesia
10
Q
What are the non pharmacological treatments for appendicitis?
A
None as MEDICAL EMERGENCY
