Abstract

The case records of 372 children with appendicitis were reviewed. The incidence of acute appendicitis increased after age 5, and patients with fecaliths were distributed proportionately throughout all age groups. Fecaliths occurred in 20%. The incidence of appendiceal perforation was 33%, but was 61% in patients with fecaliths. The most frequently observed radiologic sign was paralytic ileus (55%), followed by scoliosis (14%), and appendiceal fecalith (7%), the latter being an almost diagnostic criterion for appendicitis. Though abdominal radiographs may be obtained routinely in all children with suspected appendicitis, they are definitely indicated when the diagnosis is in doubt or a period of observation is chosen.