Appendicitis

Appendicitis is caused by acute inflammation of the appendix (usually secondary to obstruction) and can result in perforation, leading to peritonitis, sepsis, and/or abscess formation. Symptomatology includes anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and periumbilical pain (later localizing to the right lower quadrant). Patients at the extremes of age and pregnant women may have atypical presentations and higher rates of perforation and complications. Most patients suspected of having appendicitis receive prompt surgical intervention (usually laparoscopic). Antibiotic therapy, initiated preoperatively, varies for perforated vs nonperforated appendicitis. In patients with evidence of a contained abscess, nonoperative therapy is considered, as abscess is evidence of a prolonged disease course (more than 5 days) prior to presentation. On imaging, patients may have a well-circumscribed abscess or phlegmon; if immediate surgical intervention is attempted, there is significant risk of morbidity due to adhesions to adjacent tissues.