Chui CH, Chan MY, Tan AM, Low Y, Yap TL, Jacobsen AS. Appendicitis in immunosuppressed children: Still a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma?
Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;
50:1282-3. [PMID:
18306278 DOI:
10.1002/pbc.21554]
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Abstract
Acute appendicitis in the immunosuppressed patients are often difficult to diagnose and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Recent debates on primary appendicitis and typhlitis-associated appendicitis have contributed to the diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. We retrospectively reviewed all our immunosuppressed patients with appendicitis. The most frequent presenting symptom was fever followed by non-specific intermittent abdominal pain. The median delay in diagnosis was 4 days. CT scan was useful in making the diagnosis, but the presence of adjacent bowel thickening has contributed to the dilemma in diagnosis and treatment.
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