Optimizing US examination to detect the normal and abnormal appendix in children

Background US detection of a normal appendix can safely rule out appendicitis. However, there is a wide range of accuracy in detection of a normal appendix. Objective To optimize US examination to detect the normal and the abnormal appendix according to the potential positions of the appendix. Materials and methods This prospective study included 107 children who underwent gray-scale US scanning. Noncompressive and compressive graded sonography was performed to detect normal and abnormal appendices according to their potential positions. The maximum transverse diameter of the appendices was measured. Results Of the 107 children examined, 56 had a histologic diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Sonography had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 98% for the diagnosis of appendicitis. A normal appendix was visualized in 44 (86.2%) of the 51 patients without acute appendicitis, and of these 44, 43 were true-negative and 1 was false-positive. Normal and abnormal appendices, respectively, were positioned as follows: 54.4% and 39.3% were mid-pelvic; 27.2% and 28.6% were retrocecal; 11.4% and 17.8% were deep pelvic; and 6.8% and 14.3% were abdominal. Conclusion US scanning according to the potential positions of the appendix was useful in the detection of normal appendices in children suspected of having appendicitis.     

Diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced MR for acute appendicitis and alternative causes of abdominal pain in children

Objective

Unenhanced MRI has emerged as a useful tool for diagnosing pediatric acute appendicitis. The use of contrast-enhanced MRI for diagnosing pediatric appendicitis has not been documented. The purpose of this study is to examine the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced MRI for acute appendicitis and alternative entities in the pediatric population presenting with acute abdominal pain.

Materials and methods

A retrospective review was conducted of 364 consecutive pediatric patients undergoing contrast-enhanced MRI for the evaluation of possible appendicitis at a single institution between November 2012 and September 2013.

Results

There were 132 cases of pathologically confirmed appendicitis out of 364 pediatric patients (36.3%) included in the study. Overall sensitivity and specificity were 96.2% (95% CI [91.4–98.4%]) and 95.7% (95% CI [92.3–97.6%]), respectively. Positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 92.7% (95% CI [86.6–96.3%]) and 97.8% (95% CI [94.7–99.1%]), respectively. The appendix was visualized in 243 cases (66.8%). Imaging confirmed alternative diagnoses in 75 patients, including most commonly colitis, enteritis or terminal ileitis (n?=?25, 6.9%), adnexal cysts (n?=?25, 6.9%) and mesenteric adenitis (n?=?7, 1.9%).

Conclusion

Contrast-enhanced MRI is capable of accurately diagnosing acute appendicitis while detecting many alternative entities of abdominal pain, and it allows good visualization of the appendix. Further evaluation is needed to determine whether contrast-enhanced MRI provides an advantage over non-enhanced MRI for imaging evaluation of acute abdominal pain in the pediatric population.     

超声引导内镜下逆行阑尾炎治疗术在阑尾相关慢性腹痛患儿中的应用价值北大核心CSCD

目的 探讨超声引导内镜下逆行阑尾炎治疗术在儿童阑尾相关慢性腹痛中的临床疗效。方法 回顾性收集2019年8月至2021年5月收治的以慢性腹痛为主诉,超声提示阑尾炎症或腔内粪便或粪石且行超声引导内镜下逆行阑尾炎治疗术患儿30例的临床资料,分析其临床表现、内镜下表现、白细胞计数及中性粒细胞百分比、住院时间、治愈率。结果 30例慢性腹痛患儿中,男童13例(43%),女童17例(57%),平均确诊年龄(9±3)岁,年龄范围3~15岁,中位病程持续时间12个月,中位住院时间3 d;中位白细胞计数6.7×10^(9)/L,中性粒细胞百分比为(50±13)%。21例(70%)术中阑尾腔内冲洗出粪石及大量粪渣。随访率97%(29/30),中位随访时间11(范围:5~26)个月,27例(93%)腹痛症状完全消失。结论 超声引导内镜下逆行阑尾炎治疗术对阑尾腔内粪便或粪石引起的儿童慢性腹痛治疗有效。     

74例小儿慢性阑尾炎诊断分析

目的总结小儿慢性阑尾炎的特点及诊断方法。方法回顾性分析2000年1月￣2004年12月经手术治疗并确诊的74例慢性阑尾炎患儿的症状、发病及诊断过程。结果74例均临床诊断为慢性阑尾炎,占5.79%;全部病例均行阑尾切除术,其中43例(3.36%)病理诊断为慢性阑尾炎。结论小儿慢性阑尾炎并不少见,除反复发作的腹痛病史外,阑尾慢性粘连及阑尾粪石是诊断慢性阑尾炎的重要依据。     

婴儿阑尾盲肠多重套叠并急性阑尾炎一例并文献复习

目的 探讨婴儿期阑尾盲肠多重套叠并急性阑尾炎的临床病理和诊治方法.方法 回顾性分析1例阑尾盲肠多重套叠并急性阑尾炎8月龄婴儿的临床资料,并通过PubMed、ProQuest、中国知网(CNKI)、万方和维普数据库中检索2016年5月前的报道并复习相关文献资料,对各类儿童阑尾套叠进行系统性综述.结果 本例阑尾盲肠多重套叠并急性阑尾炎经手术诊断,整复套叠后切除阑尾并经病理证实,术后顺利康复.共检索到215例阑尾套叠中儿童52例,阑尾盲肠套叠136例,仅3例阑尾自身套叠中有2例为儿童;检索到肠套叠并阑尾炎66例,儿童59例,其中小于1岁的患儿27例,回结型肠套叠43例,此外,检索到回肠盲肠型套叠7例和盲肠盲肠型套叠并阑尾炎1例均为成人患者,所有病例均行手术治疗而痊愈.儿童阑尾盲肠多重套叠并急性阑尾炎者未见报道.结论 婴儿阑尾盲肠多重套叠并急性阑尾炎罕见,如套叠未导致回盲瓣排空完全梗阻则无典型症状体征,诊断困难,易误、漏诊.因此,对经保守治疗不能解除肠梗阻且不能解释其原因时,只要B型超声提示“同心圆征”或“套筒征”就应果断行手术探查以明确诊断并及时治疗.     

Appendicitis diagnosed following active observation does not increase morbidity in children

An audit was undertaken to assess the outcome of patients aged less than 16 years who underwent appendicectomy after active obsevation. A comparison was made of the incidence of perforation, complications, and hospital stay of patients who underwent emergency appendicectomy (group A) and those who were operated upon after active observation (group B). A total of 1,672 patients were admitted with acute abdominal pain. Emergency appendicectomy following the diagnosis of acute appendicitis on admission was performed in 744 patients (group A); an appendicectomy was performed in 123 patients following active observation (group B). In group A, 140 patients (18.8%) were found to have macroscopic or microscopic perforations; a normal appendix was removed in 75 (10.1%) cases and 31 (4.2%) patients developed postoperative complications. In group B, perforations occurred in 19 (15.1%) patients, normal appendix was encountered in 25 (19.8%), and postoperative complications occured in 7 (5.5%). The overall normal appendicectomy rate was 11.5%. Mean duration of hospital stay was 3.5 days in group A and 4.7 days in group B. The remaining patients who were actively observed and did not require surgery were discharged when their symptoms and signs had resolved. The study illustrates that appendicectomy after a period of active observation in hospital fro acute abdominal pain carries no increase in morbidity compared with urgent appendicectomy.     

Appendicular colic and the non-inflamed appendix: fact or fiction?

AIMS: Appendicoliths cause acute appendicitis and appendicular perforation. Do appendicoliths cause acute abdominal pain in the absence of acute appendicitis? METHODS: A retrospective observational study was undertaken of histology reports of all appendicectomy specimens from children < 16 years of age between January 1995 and December 2001. Specimens were categorised as perforated or uncomplicated acute appendicitis, non-inflamed, and "incidental" (removed during abdominal surgery for other indications). The presence of an appendicolith was noted. Clinical details were supplemented by selected case note review. Specimens in which the diagnosis of appendicitis or the presence of an appendicolith were not clearly defined (n = 20) were reviewed by an experienced, independent pathologist. RESULTS: 601 consecutive appendicectomy reports were analysed. The mean age of the study population was 9 years (range 1 day - 15.9 years) and there were 357 boys. An appendicolith was identified in 31/118 (26%) cases of perforated appendicitis, 60/352 (17%) cases of uncomplicated appendicitis, 12/59 (20%) cases of non-inflamed appendices, and only 1/72 (1%) cases of incidental appendicectomies. All patients with an appendicolith in the non-inflamed appendix group had presented with acute abdominal pain mimicking acute appendicitis. The frequency of an appendicolith in perforated appendicitis was significantly greater than in uncomplicated acute appendicitis (chi (2) = 4.8, 1 df, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the frequency of an appendicolith between non-inflamed appendices and acute appendicitis (either perforated or intact). Appendicoliths were rarely found in incidental appendicectomies, but these patients were younger. The frequency of appendicoliths in non-inflamed appendices was much greater than that expected from published autopsy data. CONCLUSION: Appendicoliths may cause acute abdominal pain that mimics acute appendicitis.     

Validation and Refinement of a Prediction Rule to Identify Children at Low Risk for Acute Appendicitis

OBJECTIVE To validate and refine a clinical prediction rule to identify which children with acute abdominal pain are at low risk for appendicitis (Low-Risk Appendicitis Rule). DESIGN Prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study. SETTING Ten pediatric emergency departments. PARTICIPANTS Children and adolescents aged 3 to 18 years who presented with suspected appendicitis from March 1, 2009, through April 30, 2010. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The test performance of the Low-Risk Appendicitis Rule. RESULTS Among 2625 patients enrolled, 1018 (38.8% [95% CI, 36.9%-40.7%]) had appendicitis. Validation of the rule resulted in a sensitivity of 95.5% (95% CI, 93.9%-96.7%), specificity of 36.3% (33.9%-38.9%), and negative predictive value of 92.7% (90.1%-94.6%). Theoretical application would have identified 573 (24.0%) as being at low risk, misclassifying 42 patients (4.5% [95% CI, 3.4%-6.1%]) with appendicitis. We refined the prediction rule, resulting in a model that identified patients at low risk with (1) an absolute neutrophil count of 6.75?×?103/μL or less and no maximal tenderness in the right lower quadrant or (2) an absolute neutrophil count of 6.75?×?103/μL or less with maximal tenderness in the right lower quadrant but no abdominal pain with walking/jumping or coughing. This refined rule had a sensitivity of 98.1% (95% CI, 97.0%-98.9%), specificity of 23.7% (21.7%-25.9%), and negative predictive value of 95.3% (92.3%-97.0%). CONCLUSIONS We have validated and refined a simple clinical prediction rule for pediatric appendicitis. For patients identified as being at low risk, clinicians should consider alternative strategies, such as observation or ultrasonographic examination, rather than proceeding to immediate computed tomographic imaging.     

Seasonal and day of the week variations of perforated appendicitis in US children

Purpose

The present study aimed to determine whether children with perforated appendicitis were more likely to present during specific days of the week or seasons of the year.

Methods

After obtaining IRB exemption, a retrospective, population-based study of patients <18 with ICD9 codes of acute (540.9) or perforated (540.0, 540.1) appendicitis in the Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID) was performed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed analyzing patient and hospital factors.

Results

A total of 31,457 children were identified with acute appendicitis, of whom 10,524 (33.5%) were perforated. Mondays [odds ratio (OR): 1.16; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.05?1.28] were significant for increased likelihood as day of presentation with perforation in US children more than any other day of the week. In seasonal analysis, fall (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.04?1.21) and winter (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.03?1.20) were at higher odds for perforation at presentation. Patients with Medicaid (OR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.03?1.43) and those uninsured (OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.16?1.93) were more likely to present with perforation.

Conclusion

Perforated appendicitis was more likely to present on Mondays in US children. Although appendicitis is most common in summer months, rates of perforated appendicitis were highest in fall and winter.     

Recurrent abdominal pain in young pre-menarchal female: clinical and surgical observations

The purpose of this study is to determine the role of surgical intervention in pre-menarchal patients with recurrent abdominal pain. Seventy-six pre-menarchal females aged 9–12 were examined for recurrent abdominal pain; during clinical observation blood tests were within normal values and abdominal and pelvic US showed no surgical or gynaecological problems. After laparoscopic appendectomy the patients’ clinical–surgical findings were related to their age, relief of symptoms and histopathological findings. A total of 71% of patients showed positive surgical findings; 55.5% of these showed variations in the position of the appendix with mild inflammation and reactive pericaecal lymph nodes, 7.5% had a macroscopic inflammation with adhesions and 37% had a mild inflammation. Twenty-nine percent of patients had a normal appendix without adhesions, inflammations or infections. Histopathological examination showed a pathologic appendix in 60 cases (79%). Six months after surgery abdominal pain persisted in 18 patients out of 76 (23%). There is a statistically significant relationship between recurrent abdominal pain, surgical observation and relief of symptoms (P < 0.05). We believe that patients affected by recurrent abdominal pain need to be closely and simultaneously monitored. For this reason, laparoscopy should be considered and used with those patients suffering from frequent abdominal pain and discomfort.     

Acute appendicitis in children under 3 years of age. Diagnostic and therapeutic problems

Aim: Analysis of diagnostic and therapeutic problems in acute appendicitis in children below 3 years of age. Material and methods: The analysis was based on medical data of 53 children under 3 years of age, treated in our department for acute appendicitis in the years 1988-2008. Among 53 children, 29 (53.7%) were admitted directly to the surgical department and 24 (45.3%) were transferred from the regional pediatric department. In the period of 1 month before admission to the surgical department 13 patients (24.5%) were treated as outpatients due to acute respiratory or alimentary tract infection. On the basis of the data from the case histories, the most frequent symptoms and their duration were evaluated, as well as the clinical signs, intraoperative diagnosis and the postoperative course. Results: The most frequent symptoms and clinical signs in this group of children were: abdominal pain, vomiting and fever, present in 83.0%, 75.5%, and 67.0% patients respectively. The mean time of the symptoms' duration was 3.6 days. The most frequently found physical signs on admission to the surgical ward were: abdominal pain on palpation, increased tonus of abdominal muscles and abdominal distension. On laparotomy gangrenous appendicitis was found in 49% of the children operated. In 24.5% of patients perforation of the appendix was confirmed. Further complications occurred in 9 children (16.9%). The average stay in hospital after the operation lasted 7.9 days. Conclusions: 1. Acute appendicitis in small children is a diagnostic problem not only for primary health care doctors but also for experienced pediatricians and pediatric surgeons. 2. Early surgical consultation should be a standard procedure in small children with acute symptoms of various locations when there is accompaning abdominal pain, not reacting to conservative treatment. Surgical consultation is also indicated in children under 3 years of age with relapses of abdominal pain. 3. Clinical signs of appendicitis in children aged less than 3 years, may differ from those in older children due to changes in their immunological reactivity. This problem should be included in under-graduate and post-graduate medical studies.     

Is C-reactive protein a reliable test for suspected appendicitis in extremely obese children?

Purpose

The diagnosis of acute appendicitis by physical examination can sometimes be difficult in extremely obese children. C-reactive protein (CRP) is commonly used to support the clinical diagnosis of appendicitis. However, obesity has been widely recognized as a chronic inflammatory condition and associated with elevated inflammatory indicators including CRP. The aim of this study was to examine the association between obesity and CRP levels in extremely obese children presenting with suspected appendicitis.

Materials

The hospital records of 947 consecutive patients, who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis between 2002 and 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. 164 children (17.3%) were extremely obese. Extreme obesity was defined, as greater than two standard deviations above the standardized mean weight for age. The diagnostic value of CRP level was compared between extremely obese and non-obese children.

Results

The incidence of histologically normal appendix was significantly higher in extremely obese children [42 out of 164 (25.6%)] compared to non-obese children [85 out of 783 (10.8%) (P < 0.001)]. The mean CRP levels were significantly higher in extremely obese children with histologically normal appendix compared to non-obese children with normal appendix (P < 0.001). The specificity and the positive predictive value were significantly lower in the extremely obese children group than in the non-obese group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

CRP is not a reliable marker of inflammation in extremely obese children presenting with suspected appendicitis. Our data highlight the importance of obesity when interpreting the significance of an elevated CRP level in children with suspected diagnosis of appendicitis.     

Computed tomography localization of the appendix in the pediatric population relative to the lumbar spine

Background

Computed tomography (CT) is commonly used to evaluate suspected acute appendicitis. Although very effective, CT uses ionizing radiation, exposing patients to an increased risk of cancer.

Objective

This study assessed the potential for decreasing the field of view of the CT (and therefore the dose to the patient) in the evaluation of suspected acute appendicitis in children.

Materials and methods

This study was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data from 212 consecutive patients who underwent CT for suspected acute appendicitis. The most superior aspect of the appendix with respect to vertebral bodies was recorded. Age, gender and diagnosis (negative, acute appendicitis or alternative diagnosis) were noted.

Results

The appendix was visualized in 190 of 212 subjects (89.6%). Overall, all visualized appendixes were located at or below the level of L1. Sixty-three of the subjects (29.7%) were diagnosed with acute appendicitis via CT imaging. All appendixes in patients with acute appendicitis were located at or below the level of the L3 vertebral body, predominating at the level of L5. Six subjects (3.1%) received alternative diagnoses, including pneumonia, pyelonephritis, small bowel obstruction and infected urachal cyst. There were no differences in appendix location with regard to diagnosis, gender, or age (P=0.664, 0.748 and 0.705, respectively).

Conclusion

CT field of view may be decreased to the level of L1 or L3 superiorly, decreasing radiation dose without affecting the rate of appendix visualization.

     

Association of streptococcal pharyngitis with complicated appendicitis]

Streptococcal pharyngitis can be accompanied by right lower abdominal quadrant pain, which often is linked to mesenteric adenitis. We report on a case of such misleading association in a child. CASE REPORT: A 6-year-old child presented pain in the right lower abdominal quadrant and fever with 39 degrees C temperature for 24 h; clinical examination showed pharyngeal erythema and local abdominal tenderness. Strep-test was positive. Abdominal ultrasound visualized signs of appendicitis. The child was operated on for complicated appendicitis. COMMENTS: The association of pharyngitis and appendicitis is particularly misleading because mesenteric adenitis is the most common cause of right lower quadrant tenderness in children with pharyngitis.     

Pediatric appendicitis in "real-time": the value of sonography in diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the accuracy of sonography in the diagnosis of clinically equivocal appendicitis, and to identify the factors leading to an inaccurate ultrasound diagnosis. The impact of sonographic findings on clinical management and outcome of children with appendicitis is examined. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 317 children who attended the emergency department (ED) of a children's hospital for acute abdominal pain for which acute appendicitis was the main differential diagnosis. They had ultrasound because the diagnosis was uncertain clinically. RESULTS: The positive predictive value of ultrasound for appendicitis was 0.92, and the negative predictive value was 0.88. The sensitivity and specificity could not be determined because there were 43 patients with equivocal ultrasound results. The pitfalls hindering the accuracy of ultrasound diagnosis included a high incidence of perforated appendicitis at presentation, the retrocecal appendix, and other technical factors such as abdominal guarding, excessive bowel gas, obesity, inadequate bladder filling, and the uncooperative patient. When ultrasound findings were combined with clinical judgment in clinical management, there were only five cases of non-therapeutic laparotomy and eight cases of delayed surgery due to missed diagnosis in our cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound is a useful for the evaluation of acute abdominal pain in children. However, in the setting of a pediatric hospital ED, the accuracy of ultrasound and its ability to improve early hospital triage may be reduced. Repeated clinical review is still essential and in selected cases, appendiceal CT scan may be required to guide therapeutic decision making.     

Harmonic US imaging of appendicitis in children

Background Harmonic imaging (HI), a relatively new ultrasound modality, was initially reported to be of use only in obese adult patients. HI increases the contrast and spatial resolution resulting in artefact-free images, and has been shown in adults to significantly improve abdominal sonography. Regarding its application in paediatric patients, just a handful reports exist and these do not encompass its use in intestinal sonography. Objective To compare the sonomorphological image quality of HI and fundamental imaging (FI, conventional grey-scale imaging) in the diagnosis of histologically confirmed appendicitis in children. Materials and methods For this prospective comparative study, 50 children (male/female 25/25; mean age 9.9 years) suspected of having appendicitis were recruited. In all patients US examination of the appendix and periappendiceal region was performed preoperatively and appendectomy carried out. The final diagnosis was based on histological examination of the appendix. Both FI and HI were used in the US examination (tissue harmonic imaging, THI; Sonoline Elegra, Siemens; 7.5 MHz linear transducer). A detailed comparison of the images from FI and HI was performed using a scoring system. The parameters compared included delineation of the appendiceal contour, wall, mucosa, contents of the appendix and surrounding tissues. Furthermore, periappendiceal findings such as mesenteric echogenicity, free fluid, lymph nodes and adjacent bowel wall thickening were compared. Results In 43 children (86%) acute appendicitis was histologically confirmed. The inflamed appendix could be depicted in the HI and FI modes in 93% and 86%, respectively. HI was found to be significantly better for the depiction of the outer contour, wall, mucosa and contents of the appendix (P<0.01). This was also true for the demonstration of free fluid, mesenteric lymph nodes, adjacent bowel walls and mesenteric echogenicity. Conclusion HI should be the preferred modality for scanning the right lower abdomen in suspected acute appendicitis. The diagnosis of acute appendicitis can then be more definitely ascertained.     

Granulomatous appendiceal disease in cystic fibrosis

Abdominal pain due to acute appendicitis in patients with cystic fibrosis is uncommon. A review of 572 patients with cystic fibrosis from the cystic fibrosis clinic of the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh from 1959 to 1983 disclosed only 4 in whom the diagnosis of acute appendicitis lead to appendectomy. In 3 of these the diagnosis was confirmed at operation. In 1 child, laparotomy for a persistent asymptomatic abdominal mass disclosed a huge cecal fecaloma originating in the appendiceal lumen. Histological examination of the appendix established the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. Large, symptomatic appendiceal granulomas were noted in 6 other children; these simulated abdominal tumors in 2. In 3 others there was smoldering infection and abscess with sepsis and in 1 a colocystic fistula. Such chronic granulomas, acute appendicitis, meconium ileus, and nonsurgical abdominal pain in cystic fibrosis can best be differentiated by careful clinical examination before and after treatment for meconium ileus equivalent. The granulomas involve not only the appendix but also the cecum and ascending colon. Contrast X-ray studies are of little value in diagnosis. The appendix in cystic fibrosis undergoes changes that are diagnostic even in the newborn; the granulomas described here appear to represent a progression of these changes.Offprint requests to: W. K. Sieber     

Imaging of acute appendicitis: US as the primary imaging modality

Background: The investigation of the acute abdomen in infants and children has evolved during the last two decades, placing imagers at the forefront of the evaluation and diagnosis of acute right lower quadrant abdominal problems. US and CT have recently been shown to be equally accurate in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, but not everyone agrees. Objective: To demonstrate the efficacy of triaging patients with acute abdominal problems that suggest appendicitis with US as the primary imaging modality. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the prospective imaging diagnoses in 622 children who presented to our emergency room (ER) and clinics with acute abdominal symptoms suggestive of appendicitis. We documented whether US or CT was performed and noted the diagnoses made. All of the patients had plain films. In addition, all patients undergoing surgical appendectomy during this time were also documented so as not to miss any cases of appendicitis. None was missed. Results: There were 622 consecutive patients in our study. Three patients, diagnosed as normal, were eventually excluded because of lack of follow-up. In all, 152 patients were evaluated clinically and with plain films only. They were not subject to surgical exploration or further imaging. None returned with appendicitis. Eighty-one patients were directly subject to laparotomy after clinical and plain film evaluation. Of these patients, 20% had a normal appendix. Of the remaining 389 patients, 386 had US and three had CT alone. Four patients had both CT and US because of an inconclusive US examination. Three patients had CT alone because of their size. In total, 137 patients were diagnosed with appendicitis with US and/or CT. Four of these patients (3%) had normal appendices. Forty-two patients (less three lost to follow-up) were diagnosed as normal, and none returned with findings of appendicitis. Nine others had conditions other than acute appendicitis. Three had surgically proven, nonrelated conditions, and of the other six, one had pancreatitis and five nonsurgical adnexal problems. In all, 201 patients were diagnosed (with US) with mesenteric adenitis–enteritis, and none returned with findings of appendicitis. Conclusion: We attained a high degree of diagnostic accuracy in patients presenting with findings suggestive of appendicitis using US as the primary imaging modality. Our false-positive appendectomy rate was 3%. Therefore, triage of the acute abdomen with US supported by CT when required has considerable merit, especially when considering that US is noninvasive and does not use ionizing radiation.     

Advancements in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children and adolescents.

The aim of our study was to further improve the preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children and adolescents. All diagnostic parameters from the patients' medical history (duration and quality of abdominal pain, stool behaviour), the laboratory (leukocytes, C-reactive protein), the clinic (defense, tenderness on percussion, nausea, vomiting, dry tongue) and repeated ultrasound investigations (visualisation of the appendix, indirect signs of an inflammatory process in the appendix region) were documented prospectively and were re-assessed with regard to their diagnostic value. As an additional parameter, procalcitonin was determined. 1156 patients (593 male/563 female) with a mean age of 9.51 years (+/- 1.2 yrs) (max. 15 yrs/min. 2.3 yrs), referred to the department with acute abdominal pain, were examined. 233 (141 male/92 female; 20.1 %) of these patients with a mean age of 10.47 years (+/- 1.1 yr) had appendicitis. Based on the patients' medical history, laboratory findings, the initial clinical investigation and the initial ultrasound investigation, 173 patients (74.3 % of the later operated 233 children with appendicitis) were diagnosed with certainty. The diagnosis of 60 patients (25.7 %) of this group remained uncertain. These patients received a saline enema (Clysmol, Pharmacia & Upjohn Company) and were subjected to a second clinical and sonographic investigation after approximately four hours of parenteral fluid substitution (Ringer's lactate, Mayrhofer Pharmazeutika Company, 4 ml/kg/h). The other 923 patients (79.83 %) were discharged and were followed up as outpatients in the following days. Based on this stepwise procedure, the percentage of correctly diagnosed appendicitis could be increased to 97.4 %. The measurement of procalcitonin proved to be of no value in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. It may be concluded that in children with abdominal pain, high diagnostic accuracy can only be achieved by a carefully combined evaluation of all individual diagnostic parameters and repeated investigations.     

Acute appendicitis: the continuing role for active observation

We present the results of a 6-year review of appendicitis. In the event of diagnostic doubt, a policy of active observation was instituted. This review endorses the validity of such a policy, indicating that it does not expose patients to increased morbidity. Data were collected prospectively over a 6-year period on 1,479 children admitted with suspected acute appendicitis (AA); 1,028 (69.5%) were discharged with a diagnosis of non-specific abdominal pain after a mean observation period of 2.5 days, whilst in the remaining 451 a clinical diagnosis of AA was confirmed. The male-to-female ratio was equal, with no difference in the mean age of males (11 years) or females (12 years); 95% of patients were over the age of 5 years. In 324 (72%) cases surgery was performed on the day of admission, whilst in the remaining 126 (28%) it was deferred for 1 to 6 days because the clinical diagnosis of AA remained doubtful. The mean hospital stay was 4 days (range 1 – 32). Analysis of the histological reports of all 451 cases confirmed a positive predictive value for clinical assessment alone of 97.9% and a normal appendicectomy rate of 2.6%. No mortality was observed; surgical morbidity was recorded at 6% with no correlation between post-operative morbidity and timing of surgery evident (Spearmans correlation coefficient = −0.079, p=0.9). Active observation for suspected AA thus remains a valid technique for achieving an accurate diagnosis and successful outcome. Accepted: 25 April 2000