My SciELO
Services on Demand
Journal
Article
Indicators
Cited by SciELO
Access statistics
Related links
Cited by Google
Similars in SciELO
Similars in Google
Share
Revista Española de Enfermedades Digestivas
Print version ISSN 1130-0108
Abstract
LOBO-MACHIN, Irene et al. Appendiceal diverticulitis and acute appendicitis: differences and similarities. Rev. esp. enferm. dig. [online]. 2014, vol.106, n.7, pp.452-458. ISSN 1130-0108.
Introduction: Acute appendiceal diverticulitis is an unusual cause of acute abdomen, considered clinically indistinguishable from acute appendicitis. Material and methods: In a historic cohort study with 27 cases of appendiceal diverticulitis and 54 cases of acute appendicitis, we compared clinical characteristics, diagnostic tests and pathology findings of the two processes. Results: Mean age at presentation was lower in acute appendicitis (37.24 ± 19.98 vs. 54.81 ± 17.55 years, p < 0.001), with significant differences between men (33.33 ± 15.89 vs. 57 ± 18.02 years, p < 0.001) but not between women (41.76 ± 24.87 vs. 50.44 ± 16.69 years, p = 0.34). In the diverticulitis group, 48.15 % had leukocytosis vs. 81.48 % in the appendicitis group (p = 0.02); there was no difference in leukocyte count (13770.37 ± 4382.55 vs. 14279.63 ± 4268.59, p = 0.61). Patients with appendiceal diverticulitis had a higher incidence of appendiceal mucocele (p = 0.01) and a lower proportion of appendiceal gangrene (p = 0.03). There were no differences in appendiceal perforation or ulceration. Symptom duration before emergency department attendance (71.61 ± 85.25 hours vs. 36.84 ± 33.59 hours; Z = -3.1 p = 0.002), duration of surgery (85 ± 40 minutes vs. 60 ± 21 minutes, Z = -3.2, p = 0.001) and the presence of appendicular plastron was higher in patients with diverticulitis vs. appendicitis (8 vs. 5 patients (p = 0.01, Odds ratio 2.2)). Conclusions: Appendiceal diverticulitis presents a series of clinical, epidemiological and pathological differences with respect to acute appendicitis. The former shows a more indolent course with delayed diagnosis.
Keywords : Acute appendiceal diverticulitis; Acute appendicitis; Acute abdomen; Mucinous cystadenoma; Appendiceal mucocele; Colorectal cancer.