Acute Appendicitis: EtiologyAppendicitis is caused by obstruction of the appendiceal lumen. The most common causes of luminal obstruction include:
1. Lymphoid hyperplasia secondary to inflammatory and infectious disorders including Crohn disease, gastroenteritis, amoebiasis, respiratory infections, measles, and mononucleosis. |
EtiologyPathophysiologyHistoryPhysical ExaminationInvestigationsDifferential DiagnosisManagementClinical Scenario |
2. Faecal stasis and faecaliths (more common in elderly patients). Faecaliths form when calcium salts and faecal debris become layered around a nidus of inspissated fecal material located within the appendix.
3. Obstruction of the appendiceal lumen has less commonly been associated with bacteria (Yersinia species, adenovirus, cytomegalovirus, actinomycosis, Mycobacteria species, Histoplasma species), parasites (eg, Schistosomes species, pinworms, Strongyloides stercoralis)
4. Foreign material (eg, shotgun pellet, intrauterine device, tongue stud, activated charcoal)
5. Neoplasms
3. Obstruction of the appendiceal lumen has less commonly been associated with bacteria (Yersinia species, adenovirus, cytomegalovirus, actinomycosis, Mycobacteria species, Histoplasma species), parasites (eg, Schistosomes species, pinworms, Strongyloides stercoralis)
4. Foreign material (eg, shotgun pellet, intrauterine device, tongue stud, activated charcoal)
5. Neoplasms