[Unresolved and debatable questions on the problem of appendicitis]

On the basis of histomorphologic examination of: 9907 biopsy specimens from appendix, obtained after its surgical removal because of appendicitis, 228 cases of senile involution of the appendix and appendix specimens from 125 children 30 days to 8 years of age who had been immunized with BCG vaccine intracutaneously and have died of miscellaneous diseases, the author debates on some poorly specified and moot points in the appendicitis problem. Appendicitis is sometimes considered a phase and in other cases a form of the disease. It is assumed that chronic appendicitis, as well as primary chronic appendicitis not preceded by acute inflammatory changes in the appendix, do exist. Sufficient morphologic criteria to distinguish chronic appendicitis from senile involution of the appendix are believed to exist.