The correlation between laboratory markers and computed tomography severity index in acute appendicitis

Area of Science:

• Medical imaging and diagnostics
• Hematology
• Emergency medicine

Background:

• Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency.
• Diagnostic accuracy is crucial for timely intervention.
• Hematological parameters are often used as supplementary markers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate laboratory markers in acute appendicitis.
• To investigate the association between hematological parameters and appendicitis severity.
• To assess the utility of computed tomography in diagnosing appendicitis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 200 patients with abdominal pain.
• Analysis of hematological parameters: white blood cell count, red cell distribution width, platelet distribution width, mean corpuscular volume, and mean platelet volume.
• Computed tomography (CT) grading of appendicitis severity (0-3) by two radiologists.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in white blood cell count or red cell distribution width across severity groups.
• Mean platelet volume showed a decreasing trend with increasing CT-based appendicitis severity.
• Platelet distribution width and mean corpuscular volume changes were not detailed.

Conclusions:

• Computed tomography is a reliable tool for diagnosing appendicitis in emergency departments.
• Mean platelet volume may serve as a potential indicator of appendicitis severity.
• Further research is needed to explore the role of other hematological parameters.