Diagnosis of appendicitis: only experience helps
Luhmann, J.; Schneider, A.; Braun, L.
Medizinische Klinik 75(8): 303-306
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-8458 PMID: 7393122 Document Number: 162589
Acute appendicitis is a very rare disease in children under 1 resp. 5 years of age. In a series of 1456 cases 8.9% of patients were older than 60 years. In both extreme age groups however perforating appendicitis is a common complication: 40% resp. 37% against 6 to 7% in patients between 5 and 60 years of age. In our series of 1456 cases the correct diagnosis of acute appendicitis was missed preoperatively in 11%. The well described clinical signs and the dates of history vary so widely that they do not guarantee the correct diagnosis. In our opinion clinical experience is the most helpful item in proving the diagnosis of acute appendicitis which ought to be operated upon.