Schistosomal appendicitis in Kuwait A5-year study

BACKGROUND: Appendicular schistosomiasis is an unusual etiology of acute appendicitis, which has been reported in countries endemic in schistosomiasis, such as sub-saharan Africa and South America. Nowadays, due to globalization, this disease has been diagnosed in non-endemic countries. Kuwait is a country possessing a larger percentage of foreigners than national citizens. Therefore, several cases of schistosomal appendicitis were found. METHOD: The clinicopathological records of all patients that underwent appendectomy during January 2007 and December 2011 were recorded from the archives of Al-Adan Hospital in Kuwait. All cases of schistosomal appendicitis were retrieved and the histopathologic slides reconfirmed by the histopathologist. RESULTS: During the 5-year study period, 3012 appendectomies were performed and 8 schistosomal appendicitis were found. They were all Egyptian males that were admitted for a clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis. The age ranged between 24 and 42 years, with a mean age of 32.75 years. All cases showed histological features of acute or acute suppurative inflammation, with ova seen in the vasculature of all layers of appendicular wall. CONCLUSION: Although schistosomiasis is a rare causative agent of acute appendicitis, this however can’t be confirmed until histological evaluation. Therefore, adequate follow up postoperatively is necessary to insure eradication of the disease and to prevent further serious consequences.