BACKGROUND To define the benefits of different methods for diagnosis of pediatric appendicitis in Taiwan, a nationwide cohort study was used for analysis. METHODS We identified 44,529 patients under 18 years old who had been hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis between 2003 and 2012. We analyzed the percentages of cases in which ultrasound (US) and/or computed tomography (CT) w...

PURPOSE To evaluate the effectiveness of a staged ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) imaging protocol for the accurate diagnosis of suspected appendicitis in children and the opportunity for reducing the number of CT examinations and associated radiation exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study was compliant with HIPAA, and a waiver of informed consent was appro...

BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical abdominal emergency. Delayed treatment increases the incidence of complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the presentation, incidence, and predictors of complications, and histological findings in adult patients with clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis. METHODS The study was a prospective observational study and in...

BACKGROUND The level of platelet volume (MPV) has been reported to be a laboratory marker in inflammatory cases. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to seek whether MPV has a role in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. It was also aimed to show the relationship of MPV with leukocyte count and C-reactive protein (CRP) level. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was conducted via retrospective ...

BACKGROUND Although the standard treatment for appendicitis (since 1883) is an appendectomy, this is not always possible in a maritime or military setting. To avoid relying on improvisation in such situations this study examines the evidence for conservative management of appendicitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS PubMed was searched for studies on conservative treatment of appendicitis. Both prospec...

BACKGROUND Early diagnosis and surgery are important factors by which the morbidity and mortality of acute appendicitis in elderly patients can be lowered. This study was conducted to determine clinical and laboratory results that are commonly associated with acute appendicitis in elderly patients. METHODS A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients aged 60 years or older who under...

BACKGROUND Patients with non-inflamed appendix have been reported to have had more hospitalizations and emotional disorders before and after the operation than patients with acute appendicitis. OBJECTIVES To compare abdominal pain characteristics, as well as demographic and psychosocial data in children with histologically confirmed appendicitis compared to non-inflamed appendices. METHODS ...

Background Acute appendicitis is the common surgical emergency. This study analyzed the value of C-reactive protein as the diagnostic marker of acute appendicitis. Objective To assess the level of C-reactive protein in acute appendicitis and to relate the quantitative measurement with degree of inflammation of appendix. Method A cross sectional study was done with consecutive patients diagnosed...

BACKGROUND It appears that two forms of appendicitis exist. Preoperative distinction between the two is essential to optimize treatment outcome. This study aimed to develop a scoring system to accurately determine the severity of appendicitis in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS Historical cohort study of pediatric patients (aged 0-17 y old) with appendicitis treated between January 2010 and De...

Background. This study aimed to evaluate Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS), diagnostic delay, and factors responsible for possible late diagnosis in children <4 years compared with older children who were operated on for suspected appendicitis. Method. 122 children, between 1 and 14 years, operated on with appendectomy for suspected appendicitis, were retrospectively analyzed. The cohort was d...