[Amebic appendicitis with subsequent perforated pancolitis]

Chirurg. 1995 May;66(5):534-6.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Amoebic appendicitis is very rare, occurring in about 0.5 to 1% of acute appendicitis in tropical countries. The most severe complication is transmural amoebic colitis with perforation, described in 1.6 to 3.2% of cases. The mortality of such cases can be very high (up to 80%). We present a Swiss patient with amoebic appendicitis followed by severe perforated colitis; a total colectomy was necessary and the patient survived. Because of the good results of amoebicidal therapy and because of the severity of the complication after colitis we suggest that patients with signs of acute appendicitis after travel in tropical areas should be screened.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Appendectomy
  • Appendicitis / pathology
  • Appendicitis / surgery*
  • Appendix / pathology
  • Colectomy
  • Colitis / pathology
  • Colitis / surgery*
  • Colon / pathology
  • Dysentery, Amebic / pathology
  • Dysentery, Amebic / surgery*
  • Entamoeba histolytica / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Perforation / pathology
  • Intestinal Perforation / surgery*
  • Male