Editing Appendicitis (section)

== '''Aetiology''' ==

* Obstruction can be caused by:
** Mechanical obstruction with      faecalith/appendicolith due to stasis
** Lymphoid hyperplasia
** Parasitic infection (ascaris      or pinworm)
*** Pinworms (Enterobius       vermicularis) are the small white wriggling ones - treat with       mebendazole one tablet stat and then repeat dose in two weeks, and also       need to treat any household contacts
** Neoplasm (1% of acute      appendicitis)
** Fruit and vegetable material
** Ingested barium
* However these are not always     present. Genetic factors, environmental influences, and infections may     play a role.
** Twin studies suggest about      30% of variation in risk for appendicitis is from genes
** Seems to occur more often in      summer
** Clusters of presentation      occur, suggesting maybe infection.
** Certain bacteria, especially      Fusobacterium, seem to increase the risk of perforation when present