ATYPICAL APPENDICITIS

Abstract

It is very easy for a clinician to label the patient as having appendicitis when he presents with classical symptoms and signs. However this disease is notorious in its ability to simulate other conditions and in the frequency with which it too can be imitated by other pathologies. The emergency surgeon must appreciate that the decision that needs to be made when considering the possibility of appendicitis is not whether the diagnosis is correct but whether an operation is indicated.