Acute Appendicitis

An appendicitis is basically an appendix that is inflamed, and or infected. It is always a medical emergency. An inflamed appendix has a very high mortality rate if not promptly treated. The image on the left shows the large intestine or colon with the appendix marked and labeled at the cecal portion of the colon where the illeum or terminating end of the small intestine and colon come together. It is the small diameter structure hanging down from the colon.

While the image just below shows a CT

study with oral and IV contrast used to highlite structures within the abdomen. On the left side of the image, which is the right side of the patient, you can see an arrow pointing to a white circle with a dark center which in fact is the inflamed appendix.

Symptoms of an appendicitis are, pain in the right lower abdomen, fever as well as a loss of appetite accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and an elevated white blood count..

Palpating the area can cause intense pain, and upon releasing pressure applied during palpation can also cause intense pain. Removal of the inflamed appenix is always the treatment of choice.