Comparison of Clinical Characteristics According to the Existence of Secondary Appendicitis in Pediatric Acute Enterocolitis: A Single Center Study

PURPOSE: In patients with acute enterocolitis, radiologic findings are sometimes accompanied by secondary inflammation of the appendix. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical features of acute enterocolitis with secondary inflammation of the appendix. METHODS: Medical records from patients who underwent abdominal ultrasonography or computed tomography (CT) among those admitted for acute enterocolitis were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical features were compared by distinguishing patients with inflammation of the appendix from those without, based on their symptoms and laboratory findings. RESULTS: Of the 165 patients, 12 (7.3%) had secondary inflammation of the appendix on ultrasonography and/or CT. Patients with secondary inflammation of the appendix were significantly older than those without (11.7 vs. 6.1 years, p=0.011) and more frequently had fever (83.3% vs. 49.0%, p=0.033), and high values of C-reactive protein (CRP) (5.38 vs. 0.32 mg/dL, p<0.001). The proportion of bacterial pathogens was higher in patients with secondary inflammation of the appendix (60% vs. 15.1%, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: Patients with acute enterocolitis accompanied by secondary appendicitis more commonly have fever, higher CRP levels, higher bacterial pathogen detection rates, and longer hospital stays. Treatment equivalent to that of bacterial infection is required for patients with secondary appendicitis, and that their symptoms should be closely and continuously monitored and followed-up.