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Appendicitis: Appendix
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Appendicitis is an irritation, inflammation, and infection of the appendix (a narrow, hollow tube that branches off the large intestine). The appendix functions as a part of the immune system during the first few years of life. After this time period, the appendix stops functioning and other organs continue helping fight infection. Although the appendix does not seem to serve any purpose, it can become diseased and, if untreated, can burst, causing infection and even death.
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Appendicitis is the most common abdominal emergency found in children and young adults. One person in 15 develops appendicitis in his or her lifetime. Themain symptom of appendicitis is increasingly severe abdominal pain. Since many different conditions can cause abdominal pain, an accurate diagnosis of appendicitis can be difficult. A timely diagnosis is important... because a delay can result in rupture of the appendix. When this happens, the infected contents of the appendix spill into the abdomen, and could cause a serious infection of the abdomen called peritonitis.
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Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes inflamed. The condition sometimes requires surgery to remove the organ before it bursts. Appendicitis typically starts with pain in the abdomen around the belly button, says the Nemours Foundation. The pain often is accompanied by a mild fever, vomiting, nausea, constipation or diarrhea.
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Appendicitis, a common cause of abdominal pain in children, occurs more frequently in male children and peaks in incidence among older children and adolescents. Many children who have surgery for presumed appendicitis are found to have a normal appendix. Perforation is a common finding at surgery, especially in children younger than six years. Early and accurate recognition of appendicitis minimizes morbidity and mortality. Paris and Klein performed a systematic review of the literature concerning the value of the history, physical examination, and preliminary investigations in accurately diagnosing appendicitis in children.
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Appendicitis is usually caused by a blockage of the inside of the appendix, which is called the lumen. Most often, the lumen is blocked by fecal material. Lymphoid tissue, which is present in mucosal lining of the appendix and intestines to help fight bacterial and viral infections, can swell and lead to obstruction of the appendix. This condition, called lymphoid hyperplasia, may ... be associated with a variety of inflammatory and infectious diseases, such as Crohn's disease, gastroenteritis, respiratory infections, mononucleosis, and measles. Appendicitis can also be caused by foreign bodies (e.g., intrauterine device or something swallowed), traumatic abdominal injury, or tumors. In addition, genetics may play a role in appendicitis; some children may inherit genes that make them more susceptible to blockage of the appendiceal lumen.
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Appendicitis is treated with surgery to remove the appendix, called an appendectomy. This surgery is usually performed as soon as possible after the diagnosis has been made to avoid a rupture. In many cases, appendectomies can be performed with laparoscopic surgery. The surgeon makes a small incision in the abdomen and inserts the laparoscope. The laparoscope is like a tiny video camera that gives the surgeon a clear view of the abdominal area. Other small incisions are made to insert the surgical instruments used to remove the appendix.
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