This blockage leads to increased pressures in the appendix, decreased blood flow to the tissues of the appendix, and bacterial growth inside the appendix causing inflammation.
Necrosis
The combination of inflammation, reduced blood flow to the appendix, and distention of the appendix causes tissue injury, and tissue death. If this process is left untreated, the appendix may burst, releasing bacteria into the abdominal cavity, leading to increased complications.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of appendicitis is largely based on the person's signs, and symptoms. In cases where the diagnosis is unclear, close observation, medical imaging, and laboratory tests can be helpful.
CT scan has been shown to be more accurate, than ultrasound in detecting acute appendicitis, but with children and pregnant women, ultrasound may be used to limit radiation exposure.
This may be done by an open incision in the abdomen (called a laparotomy), or through a few smaller incisions with the help of cameras (which is called laparoscopy). Surgery decreases the risk of side effects, or death, associated with rupture of the appendix.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics may be equally effective in certain cases of non-ruptured appendicitis.
Epidemiology
Appendicitis is one of the most common, and significant causes of severe abdominal pain, that comes on quickly. In 2015, about 11.6 million cases of appendicitis occurred, which resulted in about 50,100 deaths.
National burden in US
In the United States, appendicitis is the most common cause of sudden abdominal pain requiring surgery. Each year in the United States, more than 300,000 people with appendicitis, have their appendix surgically removed.
History
Reginald Fitz is credited with being the first person to describe the condition, in the english language literature, in 1886.
References
1234Graffeo, Charles S.; Counselman, Francis L. (November 1996). "Appendicitis". Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America. 14 (4): 653–71. doi:10.1016/s0733-8627(05)70273-x. PMID8921763.
↑Pieper R, Kager L, Tidefeldt U (1982). "Obstruction of appendix vermiformis causing acute appendicitis. One of the most common causes of this is an acute viral infection which causes lymphoid hyperplasia and therefore obstruction. An experimental study in the rabbit". Acta Chirurgica Scandinavica. 148 (1): 63–72. PMID7136413.
↑Mason, RJ (August 2008). "Surgery for appendicitis: is it necessary?". Surgical Infections. 9 (4): 481–8. doi:10.1089/sur.2007.079. PMID18687030.
↑Fitz RH (1886). "Perforating inflammation of the vermiform appendix with special reference to its early diagnosis and treatment". American Journal of the Medical Sciences (92): 321–46.