Medium urgency
Very commonModerately severe
Inflammation of a part of the small intestine called the appendix, which is located in the lower right part of the abdomen where the small intestine joins the large intestine.
It is caused by obstruction of its internal lumen, resulting in increased pressure, impaired blood flow, damage to the intestinal wall due to ischaemia, and perforation.
Symptoms include acute abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and fever. The pain typically starts in the middle of the abdomen and spreads to the right lower quadrant.
It is diagnosed by a clinical history and physical examination. It is confirmed by a blood culture and an abdominal ultrasound.
Treatment is surgical removal of the appendix.
- Ronald F Martin. Acute appendicitis in adults: Clinical manifestations and differential diagnosis. UpToDate. Feb 05, 2016.
- Jaffe, BM, Berger, DH. The Appendix. In: Schwartz Principles of Surgery, 8th ed, Schwartz, SI, Brunicardi, CF (Ed), McGraw-Hill Health Pub. Division, New York 2005.
- Danny O. Jacobs. Apendicitis aguda y peritonitis. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna. Volumen 2. 19ª Edición. 1985:1988.
- A. García-Pugés. Dolor abdominal. Apendicitis aguda. Farreras Rozman. Medicina Interna. Volumen I. Duodécima edición. 227:229.
Dr. Oscar Garcia-Esquirol
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