Related Experiment Videos
Subhepatic appendicitis
1Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson.
American Family Physician
|June 1, 1989
Insights
Intestinal malrotation, a congenital condition, often leads to delayed appendicitis diagnosis in adults. This can result in a ruptured appendix, even with atypical abdominal pain presentation.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Anatomy
Background:
- Intestinal malrotation is a congenital anomaly impacting gastrointestinal tract development.
- Adult presentation of intestinal malrotation is uncommon and can manifest with varied symptoms.
Observation:
- Delayed diagnosis of intestinal malrotation in adults is frequent.
- Patients with malrotation often present with complications such as appendicitis.
Findings:
- Appendicitis in adults with malrotation may present with atypical abdominal pain.
- The characteristic signs and symptoms of appendicitis warrant consideration despite unusual pain location.
Implications:
- Increased awareness of intestinal malrotation is crucial for timely appendicitis diagnosis in adults.
- Considering appendicitis in the differential diagnosis for atypical abdominal pain can prevent complications like appendix rupture.
Abstract:
Intestinal malrotation is a developmental anomaly that occasionally causes an unusual array of symptoms in adults. The delay in diagnosis that is common in patients with malrotation frequently results in a ruptured appendix. Appendicitis should be considered when characteristic signs and symptoms are present, even if the location of abdominal pain is atypical.