Peritoneal aspiration cytology as a diagnostic aid in acute appendicitis

✍ Scribed by M. T. P. Caldwell; Mr R. G. K. Watson

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1994
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 276 KB
• Volume: 81
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0007-1323
• DOI: 10.1002/bjs.1800810242

✦ Synopsis

Peritoneal aspiration cytology as a diagnostic aid in acute appendicitis

A total of 110 consecutive patients presenting to one surgical firm with suspected acute appendicitis underwent peritoneal aspiration cytology. Aspiration was successful in 108 patients and 44 were positive. Patients with a positive result underwent emergency surgery; 42 had histologically proven acute appendicitis and two peritonitis of other causes. Seven patients with a negative result underwent appendicectomy; four had acute appendicitis and three a normal appendix. Peritoneal aspiration cytology had a

The diagnosis of acute appendicitis remains difficult, with negative appendicectomy rates' of 15-30 per cent rising to 50 per cent in women of reproductive age3 ' . A policy of 'look