Inflamed Appendix

Appendix is a finger like organ located in the right lower abdominal region. It is a vestigial organ of our body which generally does not cause much trouble but if any obstruction occurs in the appendix, it may result in acute appendicitis, which is the inflammation of the appendix.

It is a situation of medical emergency, which if not dealt with caution, may ultimately cause bursting of appendix causing peritonitis that may lead to septicemia and eventually death.

This clinical condition has been usually observed amongst people of age group of 10-30 yrs.

Causes of Appendicitis

Obstructions in appendix may occur because of various reasons such as intestinal worms, trauma, some foreign body and even fecolith.

This obstruction may eventually lead to infection and inflammation and then the symptoms of appendicitis become evident.

Symptoms of Appendicitis

There are certain classical symptoms of appendicitis.

Pain of appendicitis begins suddenly in the center of abdomen and radiates to the lower right abdomen. Being acute in nature, the intensity of pain increases in a few hours and often becomes intolerable. Because of such acuteness of pain, person also suffers from vomiting and nausea. Low grade fever is also an accompanant.

Signs of Appendicitis

There are few signs indicating the inflammation of appendix. There is rebound tenderness of the abdomen (abdominal wall becomes sensitive to pressure). Rovsing’s sign shows pain in the right iliac fossa on deep palpation of the left iliac fossa. Also, the patient gets relief by lying in the right flexed position, called Psoas sign.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of appendicitis may include physical examination, ultrasonography and /or doppler sonography.
Blood test shows elevated WBC count. But it may be negative in about 15-20% cases.

Treatment

Medical treatment includes administration of antibiotics and restricting food orally. Surgical intervention to remove the appendix is often necessary.

Prognosis

Appendicitis gets successfully treated by surgical treatment, but many times complications may occur in case treatment is delayed.