Acute Appendicitis Flashcards
What is acute appendicitis?
Sudden inflammation of the appendix, usually due to obstruction of the lumen by a faecolith/FB/lymphoid enlargement
What are the symptoms of acute appendicitis?
Periumbilical pain that moves to the RIF (McBurney's point) Anorexia Constipation Diarrhoea (occasional) Nausea/vomiting (after pain)
What are the signs of acute appendicitis?
Rebound tenderness in RIF Percussion tenderness Guarding Tachycardia Fever/flushing/fetor Tender mass (occasionally)
Describe the pain in appendicitis
Starts periumbilical, dull
As condition progresses and irritates parietal peritoneum pain localises to MB point
-2/3 between umbilicus and R ASIS
What conditions can commonly mimic acute appendicitis?
Ectopic pregnancy UTI Mesenteric adenitis Cystitis Cholecystitis Diverticulitis Salpingitis/PID Dysmenorrhoea Chron's disease Perforated ulcer Food poisoning Meckel's diverticulitis
What are the special signs seen in appendicitis?
Rosving’s sign - pain > in RIF when LIF palpated
Psoas sign - pain on hip extension when retrocaecal appendix
Cope/Obturator sign - pain on flexion/internal rotation of RH if pelvic appendix
What investigations are appropriate in suspected appendicitis?
PREGNANCY TEST Pelvic exam (in females) PR Urinalysis Bloods - FBC, U&Es, CRP/ESR USS/CT AXR/CXR Diagnostic lap +/- appendectomy
What laboratory findings would tend to confirm appendicitis?
Neutrophil leucocytosis
Elevated CRP
What are the complications of a perforated appendix?
Peritonitis/sepsis Abscess formation Appendix mass Adhesions Infertility
What is the differential diagnosis for a mass in the RIF?
Inflammatory mass (appendix mass/abscess) Lymphoma Chron's Tumour (caecal/carcinoid) Pelvic kidney
How should a RIF mass be investigated?
USS/CT to confirm diagnosis
How should RIF abscesses be managed?
Conservative - IV cefuroxime & metronidazole
If mass does not resolve drain abscess percutaneously
Interval appendectomy after 3mo
What are carcinoid tumours?
Tumours of argentaffin cells
-endocrine cells of GI tract
Produce sterotonin/prostaglandings
Occur on tip of appendix (MEN-1 syndrome)
How do carcinoid tumours present?
> 30yrs
Carcinoid syndrome
-flushing of face
-diarrhoea due to endocrine products
What is the management/prognosis of carcinoid tumours?
Tumour resection
Prognosis generally good