Diagnosis and treatment of appendicitis
Mentula, P.
Duodecim; Laaketieteellinen Aikakauskirja 130(4): 333-338
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-7183 PMID: 24673004 Document Number: 677791
The diagnosis of appendicitis is based on the typical symptom picture and clinical findings. Laboratory studies, in which leukocytosis and an increased neutrophil count are typical findings, can be used in support of the diagnosis. A high CRP level indicates a complicated disease. A large proportion of appendicitis patients do not exhibit a typical symptom picture, and imaging is in these cases required to confirm the diagnosis. In cases of uncertain clinical diagnosis, appendicitis can be found fairly reliably by using computed tomography scanning of the abdomen. Urgent appendectomy is the current care for appendicitis.