Acute appendicitis in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the clinical diagnosis with the histopathological diagnosis; to highlight associated histological lesions and; to determine whether these provide additional useful information for management.

DESIGN

Case series.

SETTING

Pathology Department of the King Fahd Specialist Hospital in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia.

SUBJECTS

370 appendicectomy specimen reviewed within a 12 month period.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Diagnostic accuracy of a clinical diagnosis of acute or chronic appendicitis.

RESULTS

Acute appendicitis was found to be most common between ages 10 to 29 years (74.0%). The diagnostic accuracy was 81%. A higher rate of appendices without histological sign of inflammation was found in females. Incidental appendicectomy was commonly associated with cholecystectomy. Unsuspected but treatable parasitic and protozoal infections were detected in 3% of appendices.

CONCLUSION

Routine examination of all appendicectomy specimens cannot be overemphasized, as unsuspected but treatable parasitic on protozoal infections may be detected.