title: Diagnosing appendicitis across the life span.
abstract: Arriving at a definitive diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) requires an understanding of the various presenting signs and symptoms of all ages and genders across the life span. Primary care providers must also be aware of the pertinent laboratory tests and imaging procedures that will assist in providing useful information toward making an accurate diagnosis of AA. Utilizing an in-depth review of the literature, this article delineates the presenting signs and symptoms of AA from children to adults to elders. It also delineates which laboratory and imaging techniques should be used for each age group as effective adjuncts in diagnosing AA.
authors.affiliation: cgauf@uswest.net
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Gauf
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012737:Sex Factors