Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an acute inflammation of the appendix due to a bacterial infection. The symptoms initially present as visceral pain in the periumbilical region. Perforation of the appendix will produce sharp pain located in the lower right abdominal quadrant. Prior obstruction of the appendiceal lumen has been associated with the disease. The rate of appendicitis in adults is 1 in 1000 (4 in 1000 for children).