Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
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J R Coll Surg Edinb · Aug 1991
ReviewReview of the histopathological findings in appendices removed for acute appendicitis in Nigerians.
The vermiform appendix is a frequent surgical specimen in most routine histopathology laboratories. This is because acute appendicitis is one of the commonest reasons for undertaking emergency laparotomy in most hospitals, even in developing countries. Three hundred and sixteen appendices removed for acute appendix in our hospital over a 10-year period were analysed, of which 37 (11.7%) were found to be normal while 221 (69.9%) showed histopathological evidence of acute inflammation. ⋯ Of these, schistosomal appendicitis was observed in three cases (0.95%) and tuberculous appendicitis was seen in one case. Of the 33 cases classified as miscellaneous, intraluminal ova of parasites with phlegmonous eosinophilic infiltration of the appendix was observed in 17 cases (5.4%) and Toxoplasma appendicitis was observed in five cases. Carcinoid tumour was diagnosed in three cases (0.95%), and in two of these the tumour had spread beyond the appendix.
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C-reactive protein (CRP) and full blood counts were performed on 60 consecutive patients admitted with right iliac fossa pain. Of these, 31 patients had appendicitis and six had a negative appendicectomy. ⋯ In 30 (97%) patients who had appendicitis the CRP or white blood cell count was elevated. CRP is of value in indicating acute pathology and its routine performance may decrease the negative appendicectomy rate.