Review of the Pathologic Diagnoses of Appendectomy Specimens

Abstract

Objective:  The purpose of this study is to see the pattern of various histopathological diagnoses in appendectomy specimens.

Setting:  This retrospective study carried out at Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad and three main hospitals of Hyderabad over a period of two years starting from March 2006 to February 2008.

Methods:  Hospital records of all patients who were diagnosed as acute appendicitis and underwent appendectomy (either open or laparoscopic) were reviewed retrospectively. Patients' age, sex operative findings and histopathology reports were noted. Histopathology reports were analyzed according to the diagnosis.

Results:  Hospital records of 323 patients who were diagnosed as acute appendicitis and underwent appendectomy (either open or laparoscopic) were reviewed. 86.3% specimens revealed findings of acute appendicitis, 10.8% were normal, while 3% has tuberculosis, 1.5% had Meckle diverticulitis and 0.6% each of adenocarcinoma and Carcinoid tumour. Among acute appendicitis, lymphoid hyperplasia was the predominant finding seen in 57.8% of cases.

Conclusion:  Other than acute inflammation, routine histopathological examination of the appendix yields important clinical information like benign and malignant tumours. All appendectomy specimen should be sent for routine histopathological examination so as not to other unusual or co-existing pathologies.

Key words:  Appendectomy, histopathology, acute appendicitis.