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Your search term(s) "Appendicitis" returned 10 results.

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Appendicitis. Bethesda, MD: National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. 2008. 6 p.

This fact sheet describes appendicitis, defined as a painful swelling and infection of the appendix. The fact sheet answers common questions about the anatomy and function of the appendix, the causes of appendicitis, who gets appendicitis, the symptoms of appendicitis, how appendicitis is diagnosed, how appendicitis is treated, and what people should do if they think they have appendicitis. The appendix is a fingerlike pouch attached to the large intestine and located in the lower right area of the abdomen. Symptoms of appendicitis may include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, inability to pass gas, low-grade fever, and abdominal swelling. A doctor can diagnose most cases of appendicitis by taking a person’s medical history and performing a physical examination. Sometimes laboratory and imaging tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis. Appendicitis is typically treated by removing the appendix. Appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires immediate care. The fact sheet includes a brief description of current research in this area. Readers are referred to three resource organizations: the American Academy of Family Physicians at 1–800–274–2237 or www.aafp.org, the American College of Surgeons at 1–800–621–4111 or www.facs.org, and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons at 847–290–9184 or www.fascrs.org. The document concludes with a summary of the activities of the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). 1 figure.

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Fistulizing Crohn's Disease: A Case of Mistaken Identity. Practical Gastroenterology. 31(2): 66-71. February 2007.

This article reviews the case of a 23-year old Caucasian female patient who presented 2 months after an acute appendicitis with an isolated rectovaginal fistula, suspected to be a complication of Crohn’s disease. Despite continued medical and surgical therapies, the fistula would not heal and complications of bleeding ensued. After eight hospitalizations, three surgeries, and more than $135,000 in medical expenses over an 18-month period, her disease was discovered to be self-inflicted. The authors describe this case of factitious disorder disguised as Crohn’s disease and highlight the importance of early diagnosis of this frequently missed disorder in order to initiate early and essential psychiatric care. The authors note that Crohn’s disease is a diagnosis based on a combination of physical findings, endoscopic disease, histopathology, and laboratory and radiographic abnormalities. Relying on only a portion of these parameters may lead to an erroneous diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). 4 figures. 2 tables. 10 references.

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Pregnancy in Gastrointestinal Disorders. 2nd ed. Bethesda, MD: American College of Gastroenterology. 2007. 79 p.

This monograph presents updated information about pregnancy in women with gastrointestinal disorders. The monograph offers eight chapters, covering constipation, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and fecal incontinence; the use of endoscopy in pregnancy; heartburn, nausea, and vomiting during pregnancy; hyperemesis gravidarum and nutritional support, including nutritional requirements, venous access, and monitoring of pregnant patients on total parenteral nutrition (TPN); liver diseases in pregnancy, including the use of imaging studies, the safety of drugs in pregnancy, liver disorders unique to pregnancy, and pregnancy in liver transplant patients; surgical problems in the pregnant patient; and pregnancy in women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The chapter about surgical problems reviews appendicitis, biliary tract diseases, pancreatitis, trauma, intestinal obstruction, splenic artery aneurysms, hepatic lesions, hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal malignancy. Each chapter focuses on bringing readers up to date on the research in the area covered, the recommended treatments, and patient management concerns, notably issues of maternal and fetal safety. Each chapter concludes with a list of references.

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Radiology of the Colon. IN: Thoeni, RF.; Thorton,R ., eds. Diseases of the Colon. . New York, NY: Informa Healthcare USA. 2007. pp 163-210.

This chapter about radiology of the colon is from a comprehensive text that offers chapters about each of the major colonic disorders. Each chapter is coauthored by at least one surgeon and one gastroenterologist to reflect the in-depth collaboration between these fields that is required for managing diseases of the colon. In this chapter, the authors describe the use of plain films, barium enema, defecography, cross-sectional imaging with magnetic resonance (MR) or computerized tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), nuclear studies for bleeding, and angiography and transcatheter techniques for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Diseases and conditions diagnosed include extraluminal gas collections, colonic obstruction, volvulus, toxic megacolon, ischemic colitis, appendicitis, colitis, Crohn’s disease, polyps, cancer, and diverticulitis. The authors note that, in most cases, results with MR or CT for the colon are similar, but MR examinations are longer and some patients may experience claustrophobia. For functional abnormalities, for reduction of intussusception, and in screening for polyps and cancer, the double-contrast barium enema still has a role. For optimal staging of colorectal tumors, particularly for recurrence, PET is the emerging technique, used in combination with CT for assessment of primary site or scar versus recurrence, as well as metastases. The chapter includes black-and-white photographs and illustrations and concludes with an extensive list of references. 32 figures. 4 tables. 216 references.

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Surgical Problems in the Pregnant Patient. IN: Pregnancy in Gastrointestinal Diseases. 2nd ed. Bethesda, MD: American College of Gastroenterology. 2007. pp 54-65.

This chapter about surgical problems in the pregnant patient is from a monograph that presents updated information about pregnancy in women with gastrointestinal disorders. The authors note that up to 1 percent of all pregnant women require surgery. As a general rule, the condition of the mother should always take priority because proper treatment of surgical diseases in the mother will usually benefit the fetus as well as the mother. The chapter focuses on bringing readers up to date on the research in the area covered, the recommended treatments, and patient management concerns, notably issues of maternal and fetal safety. The authors first briefly review the various anatomic and physiologic changes that occur during normal pregnancy that can alter the presentation of conditions that require surgery. Separate sections discuss general guidelines for surgery during pregnancy, appendicitis, biliary tract diseases, pancreatitis and gallstone disease, trauma, intestinal obstruction, splenic artery aneurysms, hepatic lesions, hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal malignancy. The authors stress the importance of a clear treatment plan that avoids procrastination, which can be made after careful review of the history, a physical exam performed with the gravid uterus in mind, and judicious use of radiologic studies. Elective procedures can be delayed until after delivery. 45 references.

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Segmental Colitis Associated with Diverticular Disease and Other IBD Look-alikes. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 40(3): S132-S135. August 2006.

A diverticulum is a sac-like protrusion on the wall of the colon; thus, diverticulosis is the presence of diverticula. Diverticulitis is a condition where these diverticula are inflamed. This article explores segmental colitis associated with diverticular disease (SCAD), an inflammatory disorder that has close clinical and histopathological similarities to idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). SCAD is a chronic colitis that is confined to the diverticular segment in individuals with otherwise uncomplicated diverticular disease. The author compares SCAD with other IBD-like conditions, such as blind-ended pouches in ulcerative colitis, chronic granulomatous appendicitis, and delayed-surgery appendicitis. The author concludes that tissue morphology alone may be misleading in rendering a pathologic diagnosis of Crohn disease, a type of IBD. 2 tables. 26 references.

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Getting Down to the Lower GI Tract. Nursing. 35(11): 20-21. November 2005.

This article helps nurses understand the physiology of the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract, particularly in patients who are older. The author outlines how aging affects the lower GI tract, reviews common disorders, and explains how nursing interventions can help minimize problems for this patient population. With age, blood flow to the large intestine lessens and intestinal motility and peristalsis decrease. Constipation and fecal impaction can result from a combination of factors, such as decreased mobility, medications, dehydration, poor diet, and limited fiber intake. The author cautions that assessing older patients can be difficult because their symptoms may be vague and they may have more than one coexisting chronic illness. The author outlines age-related differences in GI disorders, including appendicitis, acute abdomen, and lower GI bleeds. The article concludes with guidelines for nursing interventions for older patients with GI problems. One sidebar lists drugs commonly prescribed for older patients that can cause constipation. 2 figures. 4 references.

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Appendicitis. Bethesda, MD: National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. 2004. 6 p.

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a small, tube-like structure attached to the first part of the large intestine (the colon). The appendix has no known function and removal of the appendix appears to cause no change in digestive function. This fact sheet describes appendicitis and its management, addressing the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and complications of this condition. The fact sheet emphasizes that appendicitis is considered a medical emergency. Symptoms of appendicitis include pain in the abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, inability to pass gas, low-grade fever, and abdominal swelling. Physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging tests are used to diagnose appendicitis. Acute appendicitis is treated by surgery to remove the appendix. The most serious complication of appendicitis is rupture, which can lead to peritonitis and abscess. A final section describes the goals and work of the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. 1 figure.

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Common Pediatric Gastrointestinal Disorders. In: Kelly, K.A.; Sarr, M.G.; Hinder, R.A., eds. Mayo Clinic Gastrointestinal Surgery. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Science. 2004. p. 699-721.

With the exception of appendicitis, most pediatric surgical gastrointestinal disorders are uncommon and diverse. This chapter on pediatric gastrointestinal disorders is from a book that focuses on the major diseases treated by gastrointestinal surgeons, from the esophagus to the anal canal. The text has a clinical orientation and a major emphasis on practical applications as they are applied at the Mayo Clinic. The authors of this chapter note that the challenge with children who present with abdominal pain is to arrive at a diagnosis in a timely fashion yet use the least invasive and most efficient means of investigation. The authors describe a simplified diagnostic algorithm that concentrates on the age of the patient and the symptoms of abdominal pain and emesis. Age groups are created by a 'rule of threes' that is reasonable accurate but also simple and direct for categorizing patients into different risk groups suggesting certain surgical disorders. The authors describe the common gastrointestinal disorders by age and provides a systematic description of pediatric surgical gastrointestinal disorders and their treatment. The most common pediatric surgical diseases and procedures are discussed, and some rare conditions are included for completeness and to illustrate recent major advances in surgical therapy. The chapter is illustrated with line drawings. 10 figures. 75 references.

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Mayo Clinic Gastrointestinal Surgery. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Science. 2004. 1020 p.

This book focuses on the major diseases treated by gastrointestinal surgeons, from the esophagus to the anal canal. The presentation has a definite clinical orientation and a major emphasis on practical applications as they are applied at the Mayo Clinic. Sections on etiology, pathophysiology, pathology, and diagnosis are also included by are purposely not the emphasis of the chapters. The book offers 49 chapters: the experience of being a Mayo Clinic surgeon; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal hiatal hernia; achalasia and other esophageal motility disorders; epiphrenic esophageal diverticula; cancer of the esophagus; gastric adenocarcinoma, primary gastric lymphoma; peptic ulcer; disorders of gastrointestinal motility and emptying after gastric operations; morbid obesity; hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma; hepatic metastases from extrahepatic cancers; benign tumors and cysts of the liver; liver diseases necessitating liver transplantation; biliary stone disease; benign biliary strictures; cancer of the gallbladder; pancreatic and periampullary carcinoma; islet cell tumors; acute and chronic pancreatitis; pancreas transplantation after complications of diabetes mellitus; cystic tumors of the pancreas; thrombocytopenia and other hematologic disorders; malignant tumors of the small intestine; villous tumors of the duodenum; small intestinal diverticula; Crohn's disease; small bowel obstruction; acute mesenteric ischemia; acute mesenteric venous thrombosis; chronic mesenteric ischemia; visceral artery aneurysms; colonic motor disorders (constipation); diverticular disease of the colon; colon cancer; ischemic colitis; appendicitis; chronic ulcerative colitis; colonic volvulus; familial adenomatous polyposis; cancer of the rectum; common anorectal problems; rectal prolapse and solitary rectal ulcer syndrome; abdominal trauma; unclosable abdomen and the dehisced wound; ventral and incisional hernias; open repair of inguinal hernia; endoscopic inguinal hernia repair; and common pediatric gastrointestinal disorders. Each chapter is illustrated with line drawings, black and white photographs, and some color plates. References are provided with each chapter and a detailed subject index concludes the text.

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