Pediatric Appendicitis Questions & Answers

Updated: Oct 25, 2018
  • Author: Adam C Alder, MD; Chief Editor: Carmen Cuffari, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is pediatric appendicitis?

What is the anatomy of the appendix relevant to pediatric appendicitis?

What is the pathophysiology of pediatric appendicitis?

What causes pediatric appendicitis?

What is the US prevalence of pediatric appendicitis?

What is pediatric appendicitis more common in developed countries?

In which age groups is pediatric appendicitis most prevalent?

What evidence suggests that perforated and nonperforated appendicitis are different pathologic processes?

What is the prognosis of pediatric appendicitis?

Presentation

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of pediatric appendicitis?

How is pain characterized in pediatric appendicitis?

How are nausea and vomiting characterized in pediatric appendicitis?

How is diarrhea characterized in pediatric appendicitis?

How is fever characterized in pediatric appendicitis?

Which physical findings are characteristic of pediatric appendicitis?

What is the initial focus of the physical exam to evaluate pediatric appendicitis?

Which cardiac and pulmonary findings are characteristic of pediatric appendicitis?

Which abdominal findings are characteristic of pediatric appendicitis?

Which rectal exam findings are characteristic of pediatric appendicitis?

Which genitourinary findings are characteristic of pediatric appendicitis?

Which pelvic exam findings are characteristic of pediatric appendicitis?

Which atypical findings appear with regularity in pediatric appendicitis?

DDX

How is gastroenteritis differentiated from pediatric appendicitis?

How is abdominal pain of unknown etiology differentiated from pediatric appendicitis?

How is constipation differentiated from pediatric appendicitis?

In which special patient populations should pediatric appendicitis be considered?

Which conditions are included in the differential diagnoses of pediatric appendicitis?

What are the differential diagnoses for Pediatric Appendicitis?

Workup

How is pediatric appendicitis diagnosed?

What is the role of CBC count in the workup of pediatric appendicitis?

What is the role of urinalysis in the workup of pediatric appendicitis?

What is the role of abdominal radiography in the workup of pediatric appendicitis?

What is the role of ultrasonography in the workup of pediatric appendicitis?

What is the role of CT scanning in the workup of pediatric appendicitis?

What is the role of chest radiography in the workup of pediatric appendicitis?

What is the role of electrolyte assessment in the workup of pediatric appendicitis?

What is the role of a beta–human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG) test in the workup of pediatric appendicitis?

What is the role of evaluation rules in the diagnosis of pediatric appendicitis?

What is the Kharbanda scoring system for the diagnosis of pediatric appendicitis?

What is the Samuel score (pediatric appendicitis score)?

What is the Alvarado (MANTRELS) score for risk stratification of pediatric appendicitis?

What are the clinical stages of pediatric appendicitis?

How is acute (nongangrenous) pediatric appendicitis defined?

How is suppurative or gangrenous (nonperforated) pediatric appendicitis defined?

How is perforated pediatric appendicitis defined?

Treatment

How is pediatric appendicitis treated?

What is the role of fluid resuscitation in the treatment of pediatric appendicitis?

What is the role of antibiotics in the treatment of pediatric appendicitis?

What is the role of surgery in the treatment of pediatric appendicitis?

What is included in conservative management of pediatric appendicitis?

What is the role of percutaneous drainage in the treatment of pediatric appendicitis?

How is postoperative pain managed following appendectomy to treat pediatric appendicitis?

Which dietary modifications are used in the treatment of pediatric appendicitis?

What are the possible complications of pediatric appendicitis?

Medications

What is the role of medications in the treatment of pediatric appendicitis?

Which medications in the drug class Analgesics are used in the treatment of Pediatric Appendicitis?

Which medications in the drug class Cephalosporins are used in the treatment of Pediatric Appendicitis?

Which medications in the drug class Anti-Infectives are used in the treatment of Pediatric Appendicitis?

Which medications in the drug class Aminoglycosides are used in the treatment of Pediatric Appendicitis?

Which medications in the drug class Penicillins are used in the treatment of Pediatric Appendicitis?