Let's take a little break from #COVID19 and talk #appendicitis were I breakdown the @EMBoardBombs ULTIMATE appendicitis guide with the legendary Dr. Mary Claire O'Brien. Hat tip @blakebriggsMD @IltifatMD emboardbombs.com/podcasts
emboardbombs.com/papers/2019/8/…
emboardbombs.com/papers/2019/8/…
Inflammation of the vermiform appendix is one of the MCC causes of acute abdomen worldwide.
It occurs most commonly in ages 10-30. In children <5, its incidence is <5%.
Forget what you learned in med school. This condition can be very difficult to diagnose w/out imaging
It occurs most commonly in ages 10-30. In children <5, its incidence is <5%.
Forget what you learned in med school. This condition can be very difficult to diagnose w/out imaging
It results from an initial inflammation (due to obstruction from fecalith, calculi, lymphoid hyperplasia, infection, tumors) -> Increase in intraluminal pressure along with bacterial overgrowth —> necrosis and perforation
We are worried about perforation. Time of onset matters especially to the surgeons.
20% of patients have a perforation in <24 hours of initial symptoms.
65% had perforation after 48 hours of symptoms.
20% of patients have a perforation in <24 hours of initial symptoms.
65% had perforation after 48 hours of symptoms.
Typical presentation in adults is with RLQ abdominal pain with anorexia.
The case of periumbilical pain that migrates to the RLQ only occurs about 50-60% of the time.
The location of the appendiceal tip is important. The tip can be located anterior, retrocecal, or even RUQ
The case of periumbilical pain that migrates to the RLQ only occurs about 50-60% of the time.
The location of the appendiceal tip is important. The tip can be located anterior, retrocecal, or even RUQ
Atypical abdominal pain is not uncommon.
Fever is often late in presentation. A strong differential of other causes of fever should be present.
McBurney’s Sign: point tenderness 2 inches from ASIS on a straight line to umbilicus. Sens & Spec range considerably (50-94%; 75-85%)
Fever is often late in presentation. A strong differential of other causes of fever should be present.
McBurney’s Sign: point tenderness 2 inches from ASIS on a straight line to umbilicus. Sens & Spec range considerably (50-94%; 75-85%)
Rovsing’s Sign: tenderness with palpation of LLQ which can reflect peritoneal irritation. Once again, Sens and Spec vary (20-70%; 60-96% respectively).
Psoas Sign: RLQ pain with passive right hip extension. The sensitivity <40% is quite awful, the specificity is 80-97%
Psoas Sign: RLQ pain with passive right hip extension. The sensitivity <40% is quite awful, the specificity is 80-97%
Obturator Sign: flexion of the patient’s right hip and knee along with internal rotation of the right hip causes RLQ pain.
Sens is 8% (not a typo), and Spec is 94%.
Sens is 8% (not a typo), and Spec is 94%.
In the diagnosis: Labs are not very helpful.
Typically, CBC, CMP, pregnancy test and urine studies are ordered.
80% of patients have leukocytosis, but leukocytosis is nonspecific in most cases of disease as well.
Sens and Spec of leukocytosis: 80 and 55% respectively.
Typically, CBC, CMP, pregnancy test and urine studies are ordered.
80% of patients have leukocytosis, but leukocytosis is nonspecific in most cases of disease as well.
Sens and Spec of leukocytosis: 80 and 55% respectively.
Diagnosis:
CT abd/pelvis w/ IV contrast is more accurate than the other modalities and the fastest to acquire.
Findings that suggest appendicitis:
-enlarged >6mm diameter with an occluded lumen
-wall thickening >2 mm
-fat stranding along periappendix or wall enhancement
CT abd/pelvis w/ IV contrast is more accurate than the other modalities and the fastest to acquire.
Findings that suggest appendicitis:
-enlarged >6mm diameter with an occluded lumen
-wall thickening >2 mm
-fat stranding along periappendix or wall enhancement
CT Findings cont:
-Appendicolith (~25% of patients)
-One of the biggest concerns is nonvisualization of the appendix (10-20% of cases).
-This decreases the likelihood of appendicitis but does not eliminate it. Overall, Sens and Spec 95% and 96%, respectively.
-Appendicolith (~25% of patients)
-One of the biggest concerns is nonvisualization of the appendix (10-20% of cases).
-This decreases the likelihood of appendicitis but does not eliminate it. Overall, Sens and Spec 95% and 96%, respectively.
US: preferred in children and pregnancy. Most accurate finding: appendiceal diameter >6 mm
Advantages: no radiation, no contrast. Unfortunately, It's strongly dependent on body habitus, & operator experience. Overall, Sens 85% & Spec 90%.
US rules in/out appy if its visualized.
Advantages: no radiation, no contrast. Unfortunately, It's strongly dependent on body habitus, & operator experience. Overall, Sens 85% & Spec 90%.
US rules in/out appy if its visualized.
MRI: most often used in pregnancy. Not well tolerated by patients as they are often in pain and have to lie on the table for >10 minutes for testing.
Plain radiographs have no role in diagnosis. Please don't order it.
Plain radiographs have no role in diagnosis. Please don't order it.
Whats a Modified Alvarado Score?
It is used to identify patients with low likelihood of appendicitis.
-Migratory RLQ pain (1 pt) -Anorexia (1 pt)
-Nausea or vomiting (1 pt) -RLQ tenderness (1 pt)
-Fever >99.5 (1 pt) -Rebound tenderness in RLQ (1 pt)
-Leukocytosis (2 pts)
It is used to identify patients with low likelihood of appendicitis.
-Migratory RLQ pain (1 pt) -Anorexia (1 pt)
-Nausea or vomiting (1 pt) -RLQ tenderness (1 pt)
-Fever >99.5 (1 pt) -Rebound tenderness in RLQ (1 pt)
-Leukocytosis (2 pts)
Physician gestalt has been found in multiple studies to be equal in performance to the Alvarado score.
Analgesia: there is often concern that analgesia will limit the surgeon’s physical exam. Although there are no studies on the impact of analgesia on diagnosis, pain ....
Analgesia: there is often concern that analgesia will limit the surgeon’s physical exam. Although there are no studies on the impact of analgesia on diagnosis, pain ....
..control has not been found to negatively impact overall care.
Multiple studies where patients received IV morphine in the ED.
Morphine was not associated with increased risk of perforation, negative appendectomy, or missed appendicitis.
Multiple studies where patients received IV morphine in the ED.
Morphine was not associated with increased risk of perforation, negative appendectomy, or missed appendicitis.
What about the kids?!
Children have some of the same clinical features as noted above, however at much different rates.
The absence of classic clinical features as noted above in the adult section is not sensitive or specific for excluding appendicitis.
Children have some of the same clinical features as noted above, however at much different rates.
The absence of classic clinical features as noted above in the adult section is not sensitive or specific for excluding appendicitis.
-Lack of migration to RLQ (50%of patients), Absence of anorexia in 40%, no rebound in 50%.
Wow, got to make it difficult don’t you, pediatrics?
Neonates: appendicitis is rare. High mortality at 30%. Abdominal distention, vomiting, sepsis, anorexia. Huge overlap w/ NEC
Wow, got to make it difficult don’t you, pediatrics?
Neonates: appendicitis is rare. High mortality at 30%. Abdominal distention, vomiting, sepsis, anorexia. Huge overlap w/ NEC
Children <5: uncommon. RLQ <50% of patients. Diffuse pain, fever, irritability, vomiting, grunting respirations, refusal to ambulate are all more common.
Children 5-12: frequent. Anorexia, vomiting, fever. RLQ pain and migration from periumbilical region is common.
Children 5-12: frequent. Anorexia, vomiting, fever. RLQ pain and migration from periumbilical region is common.
In most children they lie still, with one or both hips flexed. Not too uncomfortable unless they are disturbed.
Abdominal pain can be elicited if child is asked to hop on one foot.
Children >12: mirrors adult findings as noted above.
Abdominal pain can be elicited if child is asked to hop on one foot.
Children >12: mirrors adult findings as noted above.
CBC, CMP, urine studies, pregnancy test (in appropriate age and setting).
Leukocytosis: 96% of patients have it but has Sens and Spec of 70% and 80%, respectively.
Urine studies: pyuria can be seen up to 25% of patients. Its presence or absence alone should never be used to dx
Leukocytosis: 96% of patients have it but has Sens and Spec of 70% and 80%, respectively.
Urine studies: pyuria can be seen up to 25% of patients. Its presence or absence alone should never be used to dx
Ultimately, patients with a clear alternative diagnosis present (pneumonia, UTI, pharyngitis) should undergo treatment for that condition first.
For those whom it is difficult to exclude appendicitis, we divide patients into low, moderate, high risk groups.
For those whom it is difficult to exclude appendicitis, we divide patients into low, moderate, high risk groups.
Low risk:
few clinical features, negative lab studies, no RLQ pain or RLQ pain but none with walking/jumping.
Discharge with generous return precautions.
If RLQ pain is present and distressing, reeval by PCP in 24 hours is warranted.
few clinical features, negative lab studies, no RLQ pain or RLQ pain but none with walking/jumping.
Discharge with generous return precautions.
If RLQ pain is present and distressing, reeval by PCP in 24 hours is warranted.
Moderate risk:
decent exam findings and some symptoms, often leukocytosis.
US evaluation +/- surgery eval. +/- admission with repeat abdominal exams.
decent exam findings and some symptoms, often leukocytosis.
US evaluation +/- surgery eval. +/- admission with repeat abdominal exams.
High risk: strong exam findings, +/- concern for perforation, leukocytosis. Call surgery.
No studies have evaluated their ability to improve diagnosis compared to gestalt.
We do not routinely use them.
No studies have evaluated their ability to improve diagnosis compared to gestalt.
We do not routinely use them.
