Leucocyte count and C-reactive protein in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis

Abstract EN

This work aimed to study the preoperative leucocyte counts and C-reactive protein (CRP) values in three groups of patients operated on for a clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis with different findings at appendicectomy ; an uninjlammed appendix, uncomplicated acute appendicitis or complicated acute appendicitis.

In particular, patients with acute appendicitis but a normal leucocytes count and CRP level are sought.

In this study 150 patients were classified into 3 groups : 50 patients with an uninflammed appendix (group A), 50 patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis (group B)and 50 patients with complicated acute appendicitis (group C).

The mean preoperative leucocytes count and CRP value were calculated in all patients.The numbers of patients with: 1- both values normal, 2-anly leucocytes count raised, 3-only CRP level raised, and 4-both values raised, were calculated in each of the three groups.

The increase in leucocytes count was an early marker of appendiceal inflammation, whereas the CRP value increased markedly only after appendiceal perforation or abscess formation.

Group A (uninflammed apprendix)contained 26 patients in whom both values were normal.

Neither group B (uncomplicated acute appendicitis) )nor group c (complicated acute appendicitis)contamed any patient with both values in the normal range.

So the Conclusion is acute appendicitis is very unlikely when both the leucocytic count and CRP value we normal