Acute appendicitis masquerading as food poisoning
Abstract
Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency. The underlying pathology in appendicitis occurs when the vermiform appendix, a vestigial organ connected to the large intestine, becomes swollen and inflamed. Some typical symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, and appetite loss. Physical exam, imaging, and laboratory analyses are used to confirm the diagnosis. In this case report, a 15-year-old boy presented with vomiting and epigastric pain. Computed Tomography (CT) scans showed a fluid-filled appendix. Lab testing revealed elevated white blood cell counts, highlighting the importance of carefully analyzing test results. An appendectomy was performed which is the gold standard treatment for acute appendicitis. The patient's clinical course demonstrates how clinical data can effectively narrow down a diagnosis of pediatric acute appendicitis.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case report, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Patient-Centered Pharmaceutical Design to Improve Acceptability of Medicines: Similarities and Differences in Paediatric and Geriatric Populations
- Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for irritable bowel syndrome 2020
- Phase 2b Study of Pimodivir (JNJ-63623872) as Monotherapy or in Combination With Oseltamivir for Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Seasonal Influenza A: TOPAZ Trial
- Gastrointestinal manifestations in COVID-19
- COVID-19 and Gastrointestinal Disease: Implications for the Gastroenterologist
- Persistent gut barrier damage and commensal bacterial influx following eradication of Giardia infection in mice
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.