Recurrent Appendicitis, Acute Episode vs. Foreign Body Perforation, Appendix

Recurrent Appendicitis, Acute Episode vs. Foreign Body Perforation, Appendix

Left picture: The actual diagnosis is an episode of a recurrent appendicitis; notice the tip of the appendix with increased vasodilatation, and the middle and proximal third of the appendix with cicatrization and divided adhesions. Right picture: The appendix exhibits an acute inflammation. In the direction of the base of the appendix a needle which got stuck in the lumen has perforated the wall and led to an abdominal emergency with suspected appendicitis. Although the majority of ingested foreign bodies including a needle such as in the picture pass the gastrointestinal tract without sequels, the depicted incident is typical and may occur elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract.

Left picture: Preparation of a schoolchild with surgical abdomen and clinical signs of appendicitis. The boy had recurrent episodes of abdominal pain. Right picture: Preparation of a schoolchild with an acute abdominal emergency and clinical signs of appendicitis; however, no chronic-recurrent abdominal pain is recorded in the history.