Diagnosis of appendicitis
It can be difficult to diagnose appendicitis as appendicitis symptoms vary depending on the location of the appendix, and the doctor can’t “see” through the patient’s abdomen. Traditionally appendicitis diagnosis is based on blood and urine tests. The number of white blood cells in the blood increases and protein appears in urine. However diagnostics of appendicitis is not limited by these tests.
X-ray examination is a rare procedure as it is used more frequently while appendicitis diagnostics in children. X-rays can only detect fecalith blocking the appendix. In order to diagnose acute appendicitis ultrasonography is used. If the cause of pain is not the appendix, then it is almost not seen by ultrasound and if it is inflamed, the appendage will be seen as a tube with a diameter of about 7 mm and the doctor will see fluid around. Another diagnostic procedure is a computer tomography. CT gives an image of enlarged appendix in the same manner and affected tissues of bowel and peritoneum are also seen. Laparoscopy allows a direct view of the appendix. A small fiberoptic tube with a camera is inserted into the abdomen through a small puncture made on the abdominal wall. It is the most reliable method of diagnostics.
