Knowra Appendicitis Appendicitis Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, most often following obstruction of its opening. It can progress to tissue death or rupture and commonly requires urgent treatment.
Appendiceal obstruction : Blockage of the appendix’s opening, often by hardened stool or swollen lymphoid tissue. Obstruction raises pressure inside the appendix and commonly initiates inflammation.
Abdominal examination : Clinical assessment of the abdomen by inspection, palpation, percussion, and listening. Tenderness and guarding help assess suspected appendicitis and possible complications.
Acute appendicitis : Rapid-onset inflammation of the appendix, typically causing worsening abdominal pain and tenderness. This is the common presentation that prompts urgent assessment.
Mesenteric adenitis : Inflammation of lymph nodes in the tissue supporting the small intestine, often causing abdominal pain. It can mimic appendicitis, particularly in children.
Sepsis : Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated response to infection. An untreated or perforated infection can spread and trigger systemic organ dysfunction.
Appendiceal lumen : The narrow hollow interior of the appendix, connecting it to the cecum. Its small opening can become blocked, setting the inflammatory process in motion.
Alvarado score : A clinical scoring system that estimates the likelihood of appendicitis from symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings. It organizes common findings but does not replace imaging or clinical judgment.
Chronic appendicitis : A rare, disputed pattern of prolonged or recurrent symptoms attributed to appendix inflammation. Its symptoms differ from the usual acute emergency and its diagnosis is less certain.
Gastroenteritis : Inflammation of the stomach and intestines, commonly causing diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Overlapping abdominal symptoms can make it an alternative diagnosis.
Intra-abdominal infection : Infection within the abdominal cavity, involving organs, tissues, or fluid collections. Perforation can turn a localized appendix infection into a broader abdominal infection.
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