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Discussion

Appendicitis

Hello-

I was just wondering more about appendicitis.

I took care of a young gentleman in my clinical experience that came in with pain in his right lower abodomen. We got his labs back and they showed a decreased WBC level, but the cat scan and x-ray showed an enlarged appendix. Why were the WBC level low? He also had a spleenectomy the year prior, so I was a little confused with his labs. Someone mentioned that it could have sealed off, what exactly is this?

Any suggestions?:bugeyes:

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was there a shift to the left in the differential (increase in bands)?

Early on in an infection a healthy patient shows an increase in WBC's as a means of fighting the infection. If the infection goes on, untreated for a period of time, it is possible that the patient may nearly "exhaust" his/her WBC's trying to fight it, resulting in a decline in the white count. This is a dangerous point, as the patient will soon be completely unable to fight the infection on his own.

  • Author

I do think he might of had a shift to the left in his bands come to think of it...this could have been going on for a while. Thanks for your guy's response.

There's not always an increase in total count...so look for an increase in bands for a clue.

or...There may not have been an infection YET.

  • Author

Has anyone heard of the appendix sealing off after rupture? What happens?

Has anyone heard of the appendix sealing off after rupture? What happens?

Then it's an abscess.

  • Author

Thanks everyone for all your help and information. :redbeathe

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