Ultrasound Assessment in Children With Suspected Appendicitis: Time to Revise Diagnostic Criteria: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Although ultrasound is considered the gold standard for the evaluation of children with suspected appendicitis, there is still much debate about the most accurate ultrasound findings. The purpose of this study was to define the best ultrasound signs that could ultimately improve the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound for diagnosing pediatric acute appendicitis, and to differentiate between simple appendicitis and complicated appendicitis. Patients and Methods: After approval by our Institutional Review Board, a prospective study was carried out from January 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023, in a pediatric emergency department. We included all patients aged under 14 years with suspected appendicitis and ultrasound-visualized appendix. Results: A total of 550 patients presented with suspected appendicitis during the study period. Of these children, 411 had an ultrasound-visualized appendix. Our patients' mean age was 9.4 years. The best positive predictive value of ultrasound was found for appendiceal diameter ≥7.5 mm. The combination of an appendiceal diameter <6 mm and the lack of peri-appendiceal free fluid on ultrasound rules out the diagnosis of appendicitis. The best diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound, which was 92%, was achieved for appendix diameters ≥6.5 mm. The sonographic sign giving the best ultrasound accuracy for diagnosing complicated appendicitis was an appendix diameter ≥9 mm. Conclusions: In conclusion, our present study demonstrated that appendiceal diameter ≥6.5 mm is the gold standard for diagnosing appendicitis in pediatric patients. The combination of an appendiceal diameter <6 mm and the lack of peri-appendiceal free fluid on ultrasound would rule out appendicitis.

Diagnostic performance of serum CA-125 for overall and complicated acute appendicitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aimed to analyze the diagnostic performance of serum CA-125 in acute appendicitis (AA). This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023450988). We included prospective and retrospective original clinical studies evaluating the diagnostic performance of serum CA-125 in AA. A search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and OVID. Search terms and keywords were: (appendicitis OR appendectomy) AND (CA-125 OR CA125). Two independent reviewers selected the articles and extracted relevant data. Methodological quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 index. A synthesis of the results, standardization of the metrics, and three random-effect meta-analyses were performed. Five studies with data from 533 participants (including 219 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of AA and 107 controls) were included in this review. The random-effect meta-analysis of serum CA-125 (AA vs controls) included 3 articles (125 AA and 70 controls) and resulted in a non-significant mean difference [95% CI] of - 6.80 [- 20.51, 6.92] U/mL (p = 0.33). The meta-analysis by subgroups that included only male patients resulted in a significant mean difference [95% CI] of 3.48 [0.46, 6.49] U/mL (p = 0.02). Although serum CA-125 does not appear to be a good overall marker for the diagnosis of AA, our subgroup analyses show that this marker could be useful for diagnosing AA in males. It also appears to be a potentially useful tool for discriminating complicated and uncomplicated AA. However, the limited number of included studies precludes drawing generalizable conclusions. Future prospective studies focused on males and in its potential ability to discriminate between complicated and uncomplicated AA are required.Registration. PROSPERO (CRD42023450988).

Multiple adverse outcomes associated with antipsychotic use in people with dementia: population based matched cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate risks of multiple adverse outcomes associated with use of antipsychotics in people with dementia. DESIGN: Population based matched cohort study. SETTING: Linked primary care, hospital and mortality data from Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), England. POPULATION: Adults (≥50 years) with a diagnosis of dementia between 1 January 1998 and 31 May 2018 (n=173 910, 63.0% women). Each new antipsychotic user (n=35 339, 62.5% women) was matched with up to 15 non-users using incidence density sampling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcomes were stroke, venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, heart failure, ventricular arrhythmia, fracture, pneumonia, and acute kidney injury, stratified by periods of antipsychotic use, with absolute risks calculated using cumulative incidence in antipsychotic users versus matched comparators. An unrelated (negative control) outcome of appendicitis and cholecystitis combined was also investigated to detect potential unmeasured confounding. RESULTS: Compared with non-use, any antipsychotic use was associated with increased risks of all outcomes, except ventricular arrhythmia. Current use (90 days after a prescription) was associated with elevated risks of pneumonia (hazard ratio 2.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.10 to 2.28), acute kidney injury (1.72, 1.61 to 1.84), venous thromboembolism (1.62, 1.46 to 1.80), stroke (1.61, 1.52 to 1.71), fracture (1.43, 1.35 to 1.52), myocardial infarction (1.28, 1.15 to 1.42), and heart failure (1.27, 1.18 to 1.37). No increased risks were observed for the negative control outcome (appendicitis and cholecystitis). In the 90 days after drug initiation, the cumulative incidence of pneumonia among antipsychotic users was 4.48% (4.26% to 4.71%) versus 1.49% (1.45% to 1.53%) in the matched cohort of non-users (difference 2.99%, 95% CI 2.77% to 3.22%). CONCLUSIONS: Antipsychotic use compared with non-use in adults with dementia was associated with increased risks of stroke, venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, heart failure, fracture, pneumonia, and acute kidney injury, but not ventricular arrhythmia. The range of adverse outcomes was wider than previously highlighted in regulatory alerts, with the highest risks soon after initiation of treatment.

Acute diverticulitis of the appendix.

Acute diverticulitis of the appendix (ADA), though uncommon, often presents similarly to acute appendicitis but carries a higher risk of complications such as perforation and malignancy. We report the case of a male patient in his 50s with acute right iliac fossa abdominal pain, diagnosed via CT scan with ADA. Urgent laparoscopic appendicectomy was performed, and the patient was discharged without further issues. This case highlights the importance of promptly identifying and managing such conditions to minimise complications and improve outcomes. Despite the overlap in symptoms between appendiceal diverticulitis and acute appendicitis, accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment. Healthcare providers should maintain a high index of suspicion, particularly in older patients presenting with an acute appendicitis, like clinical picture to ensure timely intervention and optimal patient care.

Appendicitis Hospitalization Care Costs Among Patients With Delayed Diagnosis of Appendicitis.

Importance: Delayed appendicitis diagnosis is associated with worse outcomes. Appendicitis hospital care costs associated with delayed diagnosis are unknown. Objective: To determine whether delayed appendicitis diagnosis was associated with increased appendicitis hospital care costs. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used data from patients receiving an appendectomy aged 18 to 64 years in 5 states (Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Wisconsin) that were captured in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient and Emergency Department databases for the years 2016 and 2017 with no additional follow-up. Data were analyzed January through April 2023. Exposures: Delayed diagnosis was defined as a previous emergency department or inpatient hospital encounter with an abdominal diagnosis other than appendicitis, and no intervention 7 days prior to appendectomy encounter. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome was appendicitis hospital care costs. This was calculated from aggregated charges of encounters 7 days prior to appendectomy, the appendectomy encounter, and 30 days postoperatively. Cost-to-charge ratios were applied to charges to obtain costs, which were then adjusted for wage index, inflation to 2022 US dollar, and with extreme outliers winsorized. A multivariable Poisson regression estimated appendicitis hospital care costs associated with a delayed diagnosis while controlling for age, sex, race and ethnicity, insurance status, care discontinuity, income quartile, hospital size, teaching status, medical school affiliation, percentage of Black and Hispanic patient discharges, core-based statistical area, and state. Results: There were 76 183 patients (38 939 female [51.1%]; 2192 Asian or Pacific Islander [2.9%], 14 132 Hispanic [18.5%], 8195 non-Hispanic Black [10.8%], 46 949 non-Hispanic White [61.6%]) underwent appendectomy, and 2045 (2.7%) had a delayed diagnosis. Delayed diagnosis patients had median (IQR) unadjusted cost of $11 099 ($6752-$17 740) compared with $9177 ($5575-$14 481) for nondelayed (P < .001). Patients with delayed diagnosis had 1.23 times (95% CI, 1.16-1.28 times) adjusted increased appendicitis hospital care costs. The mean marginal cost of delayed diagnosis was $2712 (95% CI, $2083-$3342). Even controlling for delayed diagnosis, non-Hispanic Black patients had 1.22 times (95% CI, 1.17-1.28 times) the adjusted increased appendicitis hospital care costs compared with non-Hispanic White patients. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, delayed diagnosis of appendicitis was associated with increased hospital care costs.

Retrospective analysis of the incidence of appendiceal neoplasm and malignancy in patients treated for suspected acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Nonoperative management of uncomplicated appendicitis is currently being promoted as treatment option, albeit 0.7-2.5% of appendectomies performed due to suspected acute appendicitis show histologically malignant findings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of neoplasm and malignancy of the appendix in patients presenting with suspected acute appendicitis in real world setting. METHODS: This is a retrospective single-centre investigation of 457 patients undergoing appendectomy between the years 2017-2020. The patients' demographics, symptoms and diagnosis, intraoperative findings, and histopathological results were analysed. RESULTS: In 3.7% (n = 17) histological analysis revealed neoplasms or malignancies. Median age was 48 years (20-90 years), without sex predominance. Leukocytes (11.3 ± 3.7 G/l) and C-reactive protein (54.2 ± 69.0 mg/l) were elevated. Histological analysis revealed low-grade mucinous appendiceal neoplasia (n = 3), sessile serrated adenoma of the appendix (n = 3), neuroendocrine tumours (n = 7), appendiceal adenocarcinoma of intestinal type (n = 3), and goblet cell carcinoma (n = 1). Additional treatment varied between no treatment or follow-up due to early tumour stage (n = 4), follow-up care (n = 3), additional surgical treatment (n = 8), or best supportive care (n = 2). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative diagnosis of appendiceal tumours is difficult. Nonoperative management of patients with acute, uncomplicated appendicitis potentially prevents the correct diagnosis of malignant appendiceal pathologies. Therefore, close follow-up or surgical removal of the appendix is mandatory.

Prospective evaluation of the emetogenic profile and analgesic efficacy of intravenous ibuprofen and metamizole in the immediate postoperative period of pediatric acute appendicitis. / Evaluación prospectiva del perfil emético y la eficacia analgésica del ibuprofeno y el metamizol intravenosos en el postoperatorio inmediato de la apendicitis aguda pediátrica.

BACKGROUND: Literature comparing different alternatives for pain control in the immediate postoperative period of pediatric acute appendicitis (PAA) is scarce. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively compared the analgesic and emetogenic profile of intravenous ibuprofen and metamizole in the immediate postoperative period of PAA. For this purpose, we used a sample of patients operated on in 2021 in our center. Participants were recruited on arrival at the Emergency Department and histopathological confirmation of the diagnosis was obtained in all of them. Pain was evaluated every 8 hours after the surgery with validated visual analog scales ranging from 0 to 10 points. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the evolution of pain in the 48 hours after surgery between the two groups. RESULTS: The sample included 95 patients (65% males) with a mean age of 9.7 years (sd: 3.14). 41 patients were treated with Ibuprofen (group 1) and 54 with metamizole (group 2). No significant differences were found in the level of pain either in the comparisons of point measurements or in its evolution in the 48 hours after surgery (p= 0.58). After adjusting for the received fluid therapy, children in the metamizole group had significantly more emetic episodes and needed significantly more doses of ondansetron. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, ibuprofen had a similar analgesic efficacy and a better emetogenic profile than metamizole in the immediate postoperative period of PAA. Future prospective, adequately controlled studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.

INTRODUCCION: En la literatura existen pocas referencias que comparen las distintas alternativas disponibles para controlar el dolor en el postoperatorio inmediato de la apendicitis aguda pediátrica (AAP). MATERIAL Y METODOS: Comparación prospectiva del perfil analgésico y emético del ibuprofeno y el metamizol intravenosos en el postoperatorio inmediato de la AAP, para lo cual se recurre a una muestra de pacientes operados en 2021 en nuestro centro. Los participantes fueron reclutados a su llegada a Urgencias, obteniéndose confirmación histopatológica del diagnóstico en todos ellos. La evaluación del dolor se llevó a cabo cada 8 horas tras la cirugía mediante escalas analógicas visuales validadas, con valoraciones entre los 0 y los 10 puntos. Se realizó un ANOVA de las medidas repetidas entre los dos grupos para comparar la evolución del dolor en las 48 horas posteriores a la cirugía. RESULTADOS: La muestra estaba compuesta por un total de 95 pacientes (65% de ellos varones) con una edad media de 9,7 años (DT: 3,14). 41 pacientes fueron tratados con ibuprofeno (grupo 1) y 54 con metamizol (grupo 2). No se hallaron diferencias significativas en lo que respecta al dolor, ni en las comparaciones de las mediciones puntuales, ni en su evolución en las 48 horas posteriores a la cirugía (p= 0,58). Una vez realizado el ajuste correspondiente a la terapia de fluidos recibida, los niños del grupo metamizol tuvieron significativamente más episodios eméticos y necesitaron significativamente más dosis de ondansetrón. CONCLUSIONES: En nuestra cohorte, el ibuprofeno tuvo una eficacia analgésica similar y un mejor perfil emético que el metamizol en el postoperatorio inmediato de la AAP. Se hacen necesarios nuevos estudios prospectivos, adecuadamente controlados y con mayor tamaño muestral que validen estos hallazgos.

Impact of COVID-19 on acute appendicitis presentation, management and pathology findings in adult and paediatric populations.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on trends of presentation, management and pathology findings in patients who underwent an appendicectomy for suspected acute appendicitis. METHOD: The retrospective study reviewed patients (n = 939 adults and n = 329 children) who had an appendicectomy performed for suspected acute appendicitis and histopathology assessment in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland. Pre-COVID-19 (March 2019 to February 2020) and COVID-19 Year 1 (March 2020 to February 2021) data were compared. Chi-squared tests were applied to compare timeframes. RESULTS: 513 adult appendicectomies were performed in the immediate year pre-COVID-19, compared to 426 in COVID-19 Year 1, representing a 17% reduction. No such reduction was seen within the paediatric population, likely related to a change in regional paediatric referral criteria during the pandemic. When comparing COVID-19 Year 1 with pre-pandemic, fewer patients presented with <24 hours of symptoms (45% v 53%, p = 0.005), and there was greater use of pre-operative computed tomography imaging in adults (63.2% v 48.7%, p<0.001). Fewer adult and paediatric cases of simple acute appendicitis and non-diagnostic specimens, with relative increased proportions of perforated acute appendicitis, were observed in COVID-19 Year 1 compared with pre-pandemic. No absolute increase in perforated acute appendicitis cases was observed in adults. CONCLUSION: Year 1 of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with delayed presentation of acute appendicitis in adults and children. In adults, an overall reduction in appendicectomy operations, increased use of pre-operative diagnostic imaging, and fewer specimens showing simple acute appendicitis or non-diagnostic features, collectively support appropriate restriction of surgery for those patients with a more certain acute appendicitis diagnosis.

Pylephlebitis combined with septic shock secondary to acute nonperforated appendicitis: a case report.

Pylephlebitis, which is a type of septic thrombophlebitis of the portal vein, is a rare and life-threatening complication that commonly occurs following appendicitis. However, nonspecific abdominal complaints and fever can impede the diagnosis of pylephlebitis. Timely use of appropriate antibiotics and anticoagulants is paramount for treating this condition. We present a case of pylephlebitis and septic shock caused by acute nonperforated appendicitis. A 32-year-old man presented with migratory right lower abdominal pain. Blood cultures showed the presence of Escherichia coli. Blood test results showed increased bilirubin concentrations and coagulation factor abnormalities. A computed tomographic abdominal scan showed that the portal vein had a widened intrinsic diameter. After intensive care treatment with antibiotics, antishock therapy, anticoagulants, and other supportive treatments, the infection was monitored, the abdominal pain disappeared, and the jaundice subsided. Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed. Histopathology showed acute suppurative appendicitis, and no abnormalities were observed during the follow-up period after discharge. A multidisciplinary approach is mandatory for the decision-making process in the presence of pylephlebitis caused by appendicitis to obtain a correct diagnosis and prompt treatment. Similarly, the timing of appendectomy is important for minimizing intra- and postoperative complications.

Diagnostic value of laboratory parameters for complicated appendicitis: A two­center study.

There are two types of treatment for acute appendicitis (AA): surgery and antibiotic therapy. Some patients with complex appendicitis are treated with surgery; however, for uncomplex appendicitis, most could be treated effectively with antibiotics instead. How to distinguish complex appendicitis from uncomplex appendicitis before surgery is currently unknown. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of the laboratory parameters to diagnose complicated appendicitis. Data from 1,514 cases with acute appendicitis who were admitted to Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital and Beijing Aerospace General Hospital (both Beijing, China) from January 2016 to September 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. All cases were divided into uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis. Independent variables were analyzed by uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to identify significant parameters in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. Cut-off values, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy with area under the curve (AUC)>0.600 were considered significant parameters. Significant differences were found in age (P<0.001), body temperature (P<0.001), white blood cell (WBC) count (P<0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP; P<0.001), neutrophil count (P<0.001), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR, P=0.019), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR, P<0.001), platelet count (P<0.001), coefficient of variation (CV) and standard deviation (SD) of red blood cell distribution width (RDW); both P<0.001), mean platelet volume (MPV, P<0.001) and total (P<0.001) and direct bilirubin (P<0.001) between the two groups. CRP, neutrophil count, NLR, PLR, platelet count, RDW-CV, RDW-SD, MPV and direct bilirubin levels were found as the independent variables to diagnose complicated appendicitis. In patients with acute appendicitis, CRP >22.95 mg/l, NLR >5.7, serum direct bilirubin >6.1 mmol/l and RDW-SD>17.7 fl were significantly associated with complicated appendicitis.

Evaluación prospectiva del perfil emético y la eficacia analgésica del ibuprofeno y el metamizol intravenososen el postoperatorio inmediato de la apendicitis agudapediátrica / Prospective evaluation of the emetogenic profile and analgesic efficacy of intravenous ibuprofen and metamizole in the immediate postoperative period of pediatric acute appendicitis

Introducción: En la literatura existen pocas referencias que comparen las distintas alternativas disponibles para controlar el dolor enel postoperatorio inmediato de la apendicitis aguda pediátrica (AAP).Material y métodos: Comparación prospectiva del perfil anal-gésico y emético del ibuprofeno y el metamizol intravenosos en elpostoperatorio inmediato de la AAP, para lo cual se recurre a unamuestra de pacientes operados en 2021 en nuestro centro. Los participantes fueron reclutados a su llegada a Urgencias, obteniéndoseconfirmación histopatológica del diagnóstico en todos ellos. La evaluación del dolor se llevó a cabo cada 8 horas tras la cirugía medianteescalas analógicas visuales validadas, con valoraciones entre los 0 ylos 10 puntos. Se realizó un ANOVA de las medidas repetidas entrelos dos grupos para comparar la evolución del dolor en las 48 horasposteriores a la cirugía.Resultados: La muestra estaba compuesta por un total de 95 pacientes (65% de ellos varones) con una edad media de 9,7 años (DT:3,14). 41 pacientes fueron tratados con ibuprofeno (grupo 1) y 54 conmetamizol (grupo 2). No se hallaron diferencias significativas en lo querespecta al dolor, ni en las comparaciones de las mediciones puntuales,ni en su evolución en las 48 horas posteriores a la cirugía (p= 0,58). Unavez realizado el ajuste correspondiente a la terapia de fluidos recibida,los niños del grupo metamizol tuvieron significativamente más episodioseméticos y necesitaron significativamente más dosis de ondansetrón.Conclusiones: En nuestra cohorte, el ibuprofeno tuvo una eficaciaanalgésica similar y un mejor perfil emético que el metamizol en elpostoperatorio inmediato de la AAP. Se hacen necesarios nuevos estudiosprospectivos, adecuadamente controlados y con mayor tamaño muestralque validen estos hallazgos.(AU)

Background: Literature comparing different alternatives for paincontrol in the immediate postoperative period of pediatric acute appendicitis (PAA) is scarce.Materials and methods: We prospectively compared the analgesicand emetogenic profile of intravenous ibuprofen and metamizole in theimmediate postoperative period of PAA. For this purpose, we used asample of patients operated on in 2021 in our center. Participants wererecruited on arrival at the Emergency Department and histopathologi-cal confirmation of the diagnosis was obtained in all of them. Pain wasevaluated every 8 hours after the surgery with validated visual analogscales ranging from 0 to 10 points. Repeated measures ANOVA wasused to compare the evolution of pain in the 48 hours after surgerybetween the two groups. Results: The sample included 95 patients (65% males) with a meanage of 9.7 years (sd: 3.14). 41 patients were treated with Ibuprofen(group 1) and 54 with metamizole (group 2). No significant differ-ences were found in the level of pain either in the comparisons of pointmeasurements or in its evolution in the 48 hours after surgery (p= 0.58).After adjusting for the received fluid therapy, children in the metamizolegroup had significantly more emetic episodes and needed significantlymore doses of ondansetron. Conclusions: In our cohort, ibuprofen had a similar analgesic ef-ficacy and a better emetogenic profile than metamizole in the immediatepostoperative period of PAA. Future prospective, adequately controlledstudies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.(AU)

Pediatric perforated appendicitis diagnosis based on the C-reactive protein/prealbumin ratio.

Pediatric perforated appendicitis, prone to multiple complications, necessitates identifying potential serum biomarkers for early diagnosis and intervention. A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients under 16 with acute appendicitis, admitted to Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center from January 2019 to July 2023. The patients were categorized into perforated and non-perforated groups. Among the 313 included patients, 106 (33.87%, 95% CI 28.59-39.14%) developed perforation. The C-reactive protein to prealbumin ratio (CPA) showed a significant difference between the perforated and non-perforated groups [6.63 (2.9-13.02) vs. 0.7 (0.11-2.18), p < 0.001]. The AUC of CPA on the ROC curve was 0.691 (95% CI 0.513-0.869, p = 0.084) in patients under 4. In patients aged 4-9, the sensitivity of CPA > 3 predicting perforation was 76.2%, with a specificity of 81.6%, and an AUC of 0.816 (95% CI 0.747-0.886, p < 0.001). For patients aged 9-16, the sensitivity of CPA > 2.2 predicting perforation was 85%, with a specificity of 85.7%, and an AUC of 0.919 (95% CI 0.859-0.979, p < 0.001). CPA > 3 and CPA > 2.2 can predict perforated appendicitis in patients aged 4-9 and 9-16, respectively.

Aberrant Diagnostic Imaging Resulting in Misdiagnosed Acute Perforated Appendicitis: A Case Report.

A 31-year-old male with a history of diverticulitis presented for acute abdominal pain and was found to have several small areas of free air on computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen/pelvis. Due to inflammatory changes seen around the sigmoid colon and small bowel, he was diagnosed with perforated diverticulitis. The patient complained of significant right-sided abdominal pain with significant tenderness on abdominal examination. The patient was initially treated with diagnostic laparoscopy and was actually found to have acute perforated appendicitis with mild appendiceal adherence to the sigmoid colon. This case highlights the importance of careful history and physical examination in an era where imaging often precedes the surgeon's evaluation. The case also provides support for laparoscopy in select cases of pneumoperitoneum, sparing patients the morbidity of undergoing an open laparotomy.

Mycobacterium bovis infection of the appendix: a case of appendiceal tuberculosis in rural England.

Appendiceal tuberculosis is a rare mimic of acute appendicitis, demonstrated by several case reports of patients from tuberculosis endemic countries. On literature review, there are few cases reported of appendiceal tuberculosis in urban England, and no reports from rural England. This case describes a patient with primary appendiceal tuberculosis from a remote district hospital in England who underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy for suspected acute appendicitis. Intraoperatively, an abnormal appearance with extensive intra-abdominal adhesions was seen in addition to appendicitis, making the diagnosis dubious. Histology of the appendix was positive for acid-fast bacilli and culture of the intra-abdominal fluid revealed a diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis infection. The mode of infection was thought to be reactivation of latent bovine tuberculosis from drinking unpasteurised milk in adolescence. Taking a focused history, particularly in those with a farming background, and intraoperative sampling for histology and culture are vital in the diagnosis of appendiceal tuberculosis.

Diagnostic pathways in acute appendicitis: Clinical score plus ultrasound outperform CT scan or upfront surgery, especially in doubtful cases.

BACKGROUND: Controversies remain on the diagnostic strategy in suspected AA, considering the different settings worldwide. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective observational international multicentric study including patients operated for suspected AA with a definitive histopathological analysis was conducted. Three groups were analyzed: (1) No radiology; (2) Ultrasound, and (3) Computed tomography. The aim was to analyze the performance of three diagnostic schemes. RESULTS: Three thousand and one hundred twenty three patients were enrolled; 899 in the no radiology group, 1490 in the US group, and 734 in the CT group. The sex ratio was in favor of males (p < 0.001). The mean age was lower in the no radiology group (24 years) compared to 28 and 38 years in US and CT-scan groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Overall, the negative appendectomy rate 3.8%: no radiology group (5.1%) versus US (2.9%) and CT-scan (4.1%) (p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity analysis showed the best balance in clinical evaluation + score + US. These data reach the best results in those patients with an equivocal Alvarado score (4-6). Inverse probability weighting (IPW), showed as the use of ultrasound, is significantly associated with an increased probability of formulating the correct diagnosis (p 0.004). In the case of a CT scan, this association appears weaker (p 0.08). CONCLUSION: The association of clinical scores and ultrasound seems the best strategy to reach a correct preoperative diagnosis in patients with clinical suspicion of AA, even in those population subgroups where the clinical score may have an equivocal result. This strategy can be especially useful in low-resource settings worldwide. CT-scan association may improve the detection of patients who may potentially be submitted to conservative treatment.

Atypical Duplex appendix arising from the ascending colon: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Duplex or vermiform appendix refers to the presence of an appendix beside the naturally occurring one. Although, duplex appendix emerges from the caecum most of the time, yet it is encountered in other parts of the colon. Inflammation of duplex appendix may represent not only a clinical, but also a surgical dilemma, and this would be confusing further among patients who already had prior appendectomy. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of 29-years old Egyptian male patient with history of appendectomy one and half year before presenting to the emergency department with recurrent acute abdominal pain that was linked to duplex appendicitis abnormally emerged from the mid-ascending colon. The first episode was treated conservatively considering atypical right colon diverticulitis as a potential differential diagnosis. Seven months later the patient was treated by laparoscopic appendectomy and experienced an uneventful pot-operative course. CONCLUSION: Duplex appendicitis, though rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of recurrent acute abdomen even after appendectomy.

Conventional herniorrhaphy followed by laparoscopic appendectomy for a variant of Amyand's hernia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Amyand's hernia (AH) is an appendix (with or without acute inflammation) trapped within an inguinal hernia. Most AH with acute appendicitis had a preexisting appendix within the hernia sac. We herein report a variant of AH that has never been described before. An inflamed appendix that was managed conservatively was found to have migrated and trapped in the sac of a previously unrecognized right inguinal hernia 6 weeks after the index admission, resulting in a secondary Amyand's hernia. CASE PRESENTATION: A 25-year-old healthy Taiwanese woman had persistent right lower abdominal pain for 1 week and was diagnosed with perforated appendicitis with a localized abscess by abdominal computed tomography (CT). No inguinal hernia was noted at that time. Although the inflamed appendix along with the abscess was deeply surrounded by bowel loops so that percutaneous drainage was not feasible, it was treated successfully with antibiotics. However, she was rehospitalized 6 weeks later for having a painful right inguinal bulging mass for a week. Abdominal CT revealed an inflamed appendix with abscess formation in an indirect inguinal hernia raising the question of a Amyand's hernia with a perforated appendicitis. Via a typical inguinal herniorrhaphy incision, surgical exploration confirmed the diagnosis, and it was managed by opening the hernial sac to drain the abscess and reducing the appendix into the peritoneal cavity, followed by conventional tissue-based herniorrhaphy and a laparoscopic appendectomy. She was then discharged uneventfully and remained well for 11 months. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike the traditional definition of Amyand's hernia, where the appendix is initially in the hernia sac, the current case demonstrated that Amyand's hernia could be a type of delayed presentation following initial medical treatment of acute appendicitis. However, it can still be managed successfully by a conventional tissue-based herniorrhaphy followed by laparoscopic appendectomy.