Hee Mang Yoon1, Jung Heon Kim2, Jong Seung Lee2, Jeong-Min Ryu2, Dae Yeon Kim3, Jeong-Yong Lee4. 1. Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, South Korea. 2. Department of Emergency Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, South Korea. 3. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, South Korea. 4. Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, South Korea. pedkorea@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Appendicolith can cause appendiceal obstruction and acute appendicitis. Its high prevalence may be related to the high perforation rate in pediatric appendicitis. This study assessed the characteristics of appendicolith and its clinical significance in pediatric appendicitis. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed among children and adolescents younger than 17 years who were preoperatively diagnosed with appendicitis in the pediatric emergency department (ED). A total of 269 patients with a mean age of 9.98 ± 3.37 years were enrolled. Clinical features and contrast-enhanced computed tomography findings were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 269 patients, 147 (54.6%) had appendicoliths, with a mean maximal diameter of 5.21 ± 2.34 mm. Compared to the no appendicolith group, the appendicolith group demonstrated more prolonged abdominal pain (≥ 48 hours) before the ED visit (23.1% vs. 11.5%; P = 0.013), clinical features of severe appendicitis (presence of fever, vomiting, positive urine ketone, and increased C-reactive protein), and higher rate of perforation (43.5% vs. 9.8%; P < 0.001). Multivariate risk factor analysis for perforated appendicitis in the appendicolith group revealed that maximal diameter of 5 mm or more in the appendicolith (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.919; 95% CI 1.325-6.428, P = 0.008) and proximal collapse adjacent to the appendicolith (aOR 2.943; 95% CI 1.344-6.443, P = 0.007) were significant. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric appendicitis with appendicolith often presents with prolonged abdominal pain and severe clinical conditions with a high risk of perforation.
BACKGROUND: Appendicolith can cause appendiceal obstruction and acute appendicitis. Its high prevalence may be related to the high perforation rate in pediatric appendicitis. This study assessed the characteristics of appendicolith and its clinical significance in pediatric appendicitis. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed among children and adolescents younger than 17 years who were preoperatively diagnosed with appendicitis in the pediatric emergency department (ED). A total of 269 patients with a mean age of 9.98 ± 3.37 years were enrolled. Clinical features and contrast-enhanced computed tomography findings were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 269 patients, 147 (54.6%) had appendicoliths, with a mean maximal diameter of 5.21 ± 2.34 mm. Compared to the no appendicolith group, the appendicolith group demonstrated more prolonged abdominal pain (≥ 48 hours) before the ED visit (23.1% vs. 11.5%; P = 0.013), clinical features of severe appendicitis (presence of fever, vomiting, positive urine ketone, and increased C-reactive protein), and higher rate of perforation (43.5% vs. 9.8%; P < 0.001). Multivariate risk factor analysis for perforated appendicitis in the appendicolith group revealed that maximal diameter of 5 mm or more in the appendicolith (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.919; 95% CI 1.325-6.428, P = 0.008) and proximal collapse adjacent to the appendicolith (aOR 2.943; 95% CI 1.344-6.443, P = 0.007) were significant. CONCLUSIONS:Pediatric appendicitis with appendicolith often presents with prolonged abdominal pain and severe clinical conditions with a high risk of perforation.
Authors: Veerle A B van den Bogaard; Sjoerd M Euser; Tjeerd van der Ploeg; Niels de Korte; Dave G M Sanders; Derek de Winter; Diederik Vergroesen; Krijn van Groningen; Peter de Winter Journal: J Pediatr Surg Date: 2015-10-30 Impact factor: 2.545
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