Appendicitis Flashcards

1
Q

What is appendicitis?

A

Inflammation of the appendix.

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2
Q

What are the common causes of appendicitis?

A

Obstruction of the appendix by fecalith, lymphoid hyperplasia, or tumors.

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3
Q

What is the pathophysiology of appendicitis?

A

Obstruction leads to bacterial overgrowth, increased pressure, ischemia, and inflammation.

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4
Q

What are the risk factors for developing appendicitis?

A

Young age, male gender, family history, and conditions like cystic fibrosis.

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5
Q

What are the typical signs and symptoms of appendicitis?

A

Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and fever.

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6
Q

What is McBurney’s point?

A

Point one-third of the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus.

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7
Q

What are Rovsing’s sign and rebound tenderness?

A

Palpation-induced pain in the right lower quadrant and pain on release of palpation pressure.

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8
Q

What laboratory tests are useful in diagnosing appendicitis?

A

Complete blood count (CBC) and inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

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9
Q

What imaging studies are used in diagnosing appendicitis?

A

Ultrasound and CT scan.

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10
Q

What is the Alvarado score?

A

Scoring system combining clinical signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings to assess the likelihood of appendicitis.

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11
Q

What is the role of ultrasound in diagnosing appendicitis?

A

Initial imaging modality of choice, especially in pediatric and pregnant patients.

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12
Q

What is the role of CT scan in diagnosing appendicitis?

A

Preferred imaging for confirming the diagnosis and evaluating for complications.

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13
Q

What is the treatment for uncomplicated appendicitis?

A

Appendectomy.

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14
Q

What is the role of antibiotics in treating appendicitis?

A

Used in conjunction with surgery in uncomplicated cases to reduce the risk of postoperative infection.

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15
Q

What is the surgical procedure for appendicitis?

A

Surgical removal of the appendix.

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16
Q

What are the possible complications of appendicitis?

A

Peritonitis, abscess formation, and sepsis.

17
Q

What is perforated appendicitis?

A

Perforation with localized or generalized peritonitis.

18
Q

What is gangrenous appendicitis?

A

Tissue necrosis due to compromised blood supply.

19
Q

What is the management of complicated appendicitis?

A

Drainage of abscesses and intravenous antibiotics.

20
Q

What is the prognosis for appendicitis with prompt treatment?

A

Excellent with low morbidity and mortality rates.

21
Q

What are the differential diagnoses for appendicitis?

A

Gastroenteritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and ovarian torsion.

22
Q

What is the role of laparoscopy in diagnosing and treating appendicitis?

A

Minimally invasive procedure for both diagnosis and treatment.

23
Q

What is the likelihood of recurrence after appendectomy?

A

Low, but recurrence can occur if the appendix was not completely removed.

24
Q

What are the postoperative care considerations for appendicitis?

A

Monitoring for complications like infection and ensuring adequate pain control.

25
Q

What is the role of pain management in appendicitis?

A

Important for patient comfort and early mobilization.

26
Q

What dietary recommendations are given after appendectomy?

A

Gradual return to normal diet as tolerated.

27
Q

What are the potential long-term effects of appendicitis?

A

None, if promptly treated; however, chronic abdominal pain can occur in some cases.

28
Q

What is chronic appendicitis?

A

Recurrent or intermittent abdominal pain attributed to the appendix without acute inflammation.

29
Q

What is the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of appendicitis?

A

Inflammatory response leads to tissue damage and clinical symptoms.

30
Q

What research is being done to improve the diagnosis and treatment of appendicitis?

A

Development of novel diagnostic tools and minimally invasive treatment options.