Two days of progressive abdominal pain in teenage girl

Paul Lewis, MDJames Cameron, MD

January 2012

• CC: “I shouldn’t of had that hamburger. I told you eating makes me sick.”

• HPI: 15-year-old girl presents to the emergency room with 2 day h/o RLQ pain. Pain onset progressive starting in epigastric region, focused to RLQ over last 10 hours. N/V x 3. Decreased oral intake. Had this before but not as bad.

• PMHx: Unremarkable.

• Rx: None.

• Soc: Does well in school. Is a top-ranked CxC runner. No EtOH, sex or drugs. Menarche at 13 years..

Clinical History

2

• Gen: skinny but athletically built, appears appropriate for age• Abd: + McBurney’s, +epigastric pain• MSK: normal• GU: +adnexal TTP

• Labs• CBC: WBC 28.52 Neutrophils 92%. • U/A: Some G+ and RBC, Neg nitrites, Neg ketone• Pregnancy test: negative

Focused Physical Exam

3

• Appendicitis• Early ectopic pregnancy, PID• Urinary Tract Infection• Stress fracture

Clinical differential diagnoses

4

• Diagnostic Plan– Ultrasound vs. CT scan– Clean catch U/A

• Treatment Plan– NPO, IV Fluids

Ultrasound versus CT scan

5

American College of Radiology (ACR)ACR Appropriateness Criteria

www.acr.org/ac

Given patient’s high pre-test probability for an appendicitis and avoidance of

radiation exposure, the ER doc ordered ultrasound of right lower quadrant.

Normal sonographic appearance of the appendix.

Ultrasound, long

Six sonographic signs of appendicitis

- Diameter >6mm- Lack of compressibility- Inflamed, echogenic peri-appendiceal fat- Hyperemia- Appendicolith- Adjacent fluid collections

Our patient, abnormal sonographic appearance of the appendix.

Ultrasound, trans

Two signs of appendicitis present. Diameter > 6mm Lack of compressibility

Since there were only two of the six sonographic signs of appendicitis were seen and general surgery had an equivocal exam, the ER obtained a CT of the abdomen.

4871109

Normal appendix.

Axial, non-contrast CT

CT criteria for acute appendicitis

- Periappendiceal inflammatory changes- Diameter >6mm- Appendiceal wall thickness >3mm- Intraluminal depth of fluid >2.6mm

Our patient, abnormal appendix.

Axial, non-contrast CT 4871355

CT criteria met for acute appendicitis

- Periappendiceal inflammatory changes- Diameter >6mm- Appendicolith (*)

Our patient, abnormal appendix. No kidney stones, fx or infection.

Axial, non-contrast CT 4871355

Our patient, abnormal appendix. No kidney stones, fx or infection.

Axial, non-contrast CT 4871355

Our patient, abnormal appendix. No kidney stones, fx or infection.

Axial, non-contrast CT 4871355

Our patient, abnormal appendix. No kidney stones, fx or infection.

Axial, non-contrast CT 4871355

Our patient, abnormal appendix. No kidney stones, fx or infection.

Axial, non-contrast CT 4871355

*

Our patient, abnormal appendix. No kidney stones, fx or infection.

Coronal, non-contrast CT

Limited treatment options/alternatives.

The patient underwent laporoscopic appendectomy on night of presentation.

Outcome

17

Thanks your attention.