Appendicitis
Inflammation of the appendix causing acute abdominal pain.
Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, a small organ attached to the large intestine. It is one of the most common and significant causes of sudden abdominal pain, and in 2015, approximately 11.6 million cases were reported worldwide, resulting in around 50,100 deaths. The condition is primarily caused by a blockage of the hollow portion in the appendix, often by a calcified fecal deposit known as a faecolith or appendicolith.
- field
- Medicine
- known_for
- Inflammation of the appendix causing acute abdominal pain
- global_cases_2015
- 11.6 million
- global_deaths_2015
- 50,100
- annual_US_surgeries
- over 300,000
Lore & Background
Appendicitis is primarily caused by a blockage of the hollow portion in the appendix, typically resulting from a faecolith, a calcified 'stone' made of feces. Other factors such as inflamed lymphoid tissue from a viral infection, intestinal parasites, gallstone, or tumors may also lead to this blockage. When the appendix becomes blocked, it experiences increased pressure, reduced blood flow, and bacterial growth, resulting in inflammation and, ultimately, tissue death. If left untreated, the appendix can rupture, releasing bacteria into the abdominal cavity and potentially leading to severe complications such as widespread inflammation of the inner lining of the abdominal wall and sepsis.
Reader's Guide
The diagnosis of appendicitis is largely based on the person's signs and symptoms, which commonly include right lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and decreased appetite. However, approximately 40% of people do not have these typical symptoms. In unclear cases, medical imaging such as ultrasound and CT scan are used; CT scan is more accurate, but ultrasound may be preferred in children and pregnant women due to radiation risks. The standard treatment is surgical removal of the inflamed appendix, either through an open incision or laparoscopy. Antibiotics may be equally effective in certain non-ruptured cases, but 31% of those treated with antibiotics undergo appendectomy within one year. Appendicitis is one of the most common causes of sudden abdominal pain requiring surgery, with over 300,000 appendectomies performed annually in the United States.
Did You Know?
- Approximately 40% of people with appendicitis do not have the typical symptoms of right lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and decreased appetite.
- The blockage causing appendicitis is most commonly a faecolith, a calcified 'stone' made of feces.
- CT scan is more accurate than ultrasound in detecting acute appendicitis, but ultrasound may be preferred as the first imaging test in children and pregnant women.
- In 2015, appendicitis resulted in around 50,100 deaths worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Appendicitis?
Appendicitis is the acute inflammatory response of the vermiform appendix, a short tubular structure connected to the cecum of the large intestine. It is best known for producing sudden, severe abdominal pain that demands urgent medical attention.
What triggers an Appendicitis attack?
The condition most often begins when the lumen of the appendix becomes obstructed, frequently by a hardened pellet of stool called a faecolith or appendicolith. Once that blockage forms, intraluminal pressure rises and the wall swells, setting off the painful inflammatory cascade.
How widespread is Appendicitis on a global scale?
In 2015 roughly 11.6 million new cases were documented worldwide, and the condition claimed approximately 50,100 lives that year. In the United States alone, more than 300,000 surgical procedures to remove the appendix are performed every year.
How does the Appendicitis storyline usually resolve?
The standard resolution is a surgical appendectomy, in which the inflamed organ is excised before it ruptures and spills infected material into the abdominal cavity. Without timely intervention, the untreated episode can progress to perforation, peritonitis, and potentially death.
Why is Appendicitis considered a major entry in the Surgery & Trauma canon?
It ranks among the most frequently encountered causes of acute abdominal pain in emergency settings, making it a cornerstone diagnosis for surgical teams. Its combination of high prevalence, rapid deterioration if missed, and a well-established operative treatment gives it a central place in trauma and emergency medicine.
More in Surgery & Trauma 1-24
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