Acute appendicitis

Appendix is an organ which is rudimentary in humans. Any inflammation of the appendix is called as appendicitis.

Acute appendicitis presents as sudden onset pain which starts in the navel region and gets localized to the Right lower abdomen. It is associated with vomiting, anorexia or loss of appetite. Fever can also be there.

The diagnosis of the disease is pretty straightforward by simple clinical examination. On examination there is tenderness, high heart rate and sometimes rebound tenderness in the Right lower abdomen.In few cases surgeon may order Ct scan also.

On blood tests the White blood Cell count is high.

The diagnosis is confirmed by Ultrasound of the abdomen which would show a tubula, aperistaltic structure in the Right lower abdomen with tenderness on pressing.

Treatment of the disease is surgical. The surgery is done Laparoscopically (Key hole Surgery). Sometimes a formal open surgery may be required.

Acute appendicitis can get complicated sometimes. The complications can be Appendicular Abscess, appendicular perforation, appendicular lump formation.

One important thing to be kept in mind is that in few cases Cecal cancer can present as acute appendicitis