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Eosinophilia in pediatric uncomplicated appendicitis is a time stable pattern
Josephine Reismann1, D Schädlich2, M I Minderjahn2
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany. Josephine.reismann@charite.de.
Insights
Eosinophilia is a key indicator in diagnosing uncomplicated appendicitis in children. This study confirms eosinophilia as a distinct inflammatory pattern differentiating uncomplicated appendicitis from complicated cases over time.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Inflammatory Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- Uncomplicated phlegmonous appendicitis exhibits unique inflammatory patterns, notably eosinophilia, in children aged 7-17.
- Clinical differentiation of appendicitis based on inflammatory markers is challenging due to dynamic changes over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the distinguishability of inflammatory patterns in appendicitis using laboratory values over time.
- To expand on previous findings by including a broader age range (0-17 years) and a larger patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 1041 appendectomies in patients aged 0-17 years (January 2008 - June 2016).
- Analysis of full blood count cellular subpopulations.
- Categorization of blood sampling times relative to symptom onset (0-12h, >12-24h, >24-36h, >36-48h, >48-72h, >72h).
Main Results:
- Complicated appendicitis (n=369) showed persistently elevated leukocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes compared to uncomplicated cases (n=489).
- Uncomplicated appendicitis consistently demonstrated relative eosinophilia throughout the inflammatory process.
- Negative appendectomies (n=183) exhibited distinct inflammatory patterns separate from complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis.
Conclusions:
- Relative eosinophilia serves as a constant and independent inflammatory marker in children with uncomplicated appendicitis.
- Eosinophilia allows for the distinction of uncomplicated appendicitis throughout its inflammatory course.
- Distinct laboratory patterns aid in differentiating appendicitis types and negative appendectomies.
Purpose:
We have recently shown that uncomplicated phlegmonous appendicitis is characterized by independent inflammatory patterns based on significant eosinophilia in children aged 7-17 years. However, clinical decision-making based on inflammatory values is not easy, especially due to the dynamics of inflammation over time. The present study was performed to evaluate the basic distinguishability of the inflammatory entities by laboratory values over time based on an extended patient number with children aged 0-17 years.
Methods:
All patients aged 0-17 years, who underwent appendectomy from January 2008 until June 2016, were retrospectively reviewed. Special attention was paid to cellular subpopulations within full blood counts within compartments of time (onset of symptoms - blood sampling): 0-12 , > 12-24 , > 24-36 , > 36-48 , > 48-72 , > 72 h.
Results:
1041 appendectomies were included in the study. The inflammatory course in patients with complicated appendicitis (n = 369) was characterized by continuously increased mean leukocytes, neutrophil and monocyte counts compared with patients with phlegmonous appendicitis (n = 489). In contrast, continuous relative eosinophilia was found in uncomplicated appendicitis within the inflammatory process. In cases of negative appendectomies (n = 183), again, distinct independent inflammatory patterns were found.
Conclusion:
Eosinophilia is a constant and independent pattern in children with uncomplicated appendicitis, which, thus, can be distinguished throughout the inflammatory process.
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