| Schistosomal
appendicitis in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia: A clinicopathological
study.Ann
Saudi Med. 1999 Jan-Feb;19(1):12-4.
Background: In cases of
schistosomiasis, the appendix is commonly infested. It is not known if this
is a predisposing factor for appendicitis, or a mere coincidental
histological finding. Patients and Methods: A total of 56 patients (51 males
and 5 females) underwent appendectomy for schistosomal appendicitis over a
10-year period at Dammam Central Hospital. The histological slides of 41 of
the patients (73.2%) were retrospectively studied. Results: The highest
incidence of schistosomal appendicitis was recorded in the 21-40-year age
group. Ova were seen in the submucosal layers of all the excised appendices.
The most common tissue responses were submucosal fibrosis (92.7%) and
eosinophilia (87.8%), followed by the presence of suppurative inflammation
(80.5%). Granulomatous reaction was evident in only 13 cases (31.7%). A
striking feature was atrophy of submucosal lymphoid follicles in 70.7% of
the cases. Hyperplasia of lymphoid follicles and serosal granulomas were
rare (2.4%). Similar tissue responses were histologically seen in four
normal appendices examined. Conclusion: Appendiceal infestation may
predispose to appendicitis in the majority of affected cases, but in others,
it may well be a mere coincidental histological finding. However,
preoperative knowledge bears no clinical significance and does not alter
management. |