Diagnosis of Appendicitis
Accurate diagnosis of appendicitis is vital because other conditions can cause similar symptoms. Doctors confirm the diagnosis using a combination of a physical exam, medical history, blood tests, and imaging.
1. Medical History and Symptoms
The doctor will ask about:
- Onset, location, and intensity of the pain
- Presence of nausea, vomiting, or appetite loss
- Fever and digestive symptoms
- Pain migration from the belly button to the right lower abdomen
2. Physical Examination
- Tenderness in the lower right abdomen (McBurney’s point)
- Rebound tenderness (pain upon releasing pressure)
- Guarding or muscle rigidity
- Special signs (e.g. Rovsing’s, Psoas, or Obturator signs)
3. Laboratory Tests
- White blood cell count (WBC) – usually elevated in infection
- C-reactive protein (CRP) – another sign of inflammation
- Urinalysis to rule out urinary tract infection
4. Imaging Studies
- Ultrasound – useful in children and pregnant women
- CT scan – more accurate and often used in adults
- MRI – Doctors use MRI scans when avoiding radiation is necessary
Doctors must make a swift diagnosis, especially when they suspect a rupture. In many South African hospitals, they use CT and ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis before surgery, but in urgent cases, they may make the decision clinically without imaging.
Let’s now look at how appendicitis is treated.
👉 [Next: Treatment for Appendicitis]
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