“Stone in my appendix?”
I had a CT done recently and I was told that I have a stone in my appendix. Is this common? Should I have my appendix removed?
18 Answers
The devil is in the details: why was the CT scan done? If this was an incidental finding of an appendicolith (a hardened ball of stool) in the appendix, this is not an indication for surgery. However, if my patient has this finding with recurrent pain in the right lower quadrant I might offer them an elective appendectomy so that appendicitis is removed from the differential. And I discourage repeat CT scans on young girls due to the accumulation of ionizing radiation damage to the ovaries.
This stone is called an appendolith. This is a common cause of episodes of appendicitis. Surgical removal is an indication.
Google and Wikipedia for greater detailed explanation and prevalence. You only need surgery if you develop appendicitis.
Have you been diagnosed with clinical acute appendicitis? If yes, then you need to have the operation.
I would recommend laparoscopic removal, as it can cause problems. Visit our website www.mivendoklinik.de if you have further questions.
This stone is called "fecalite." I will strongly recommend removal of the appendix.
A stone in an appendix, also known as a fecalith most of the time, is the most common cause of acute appendicitis since if obstructs the opening (lumen) of the appendix into the beginning of the large bowel known as the cecum. This in turn causes a localized inflammation which is the appendicitis and if untreated leads to rupture of the appendix with peritonitis. It is also important to know why the CT scan was done. Was it because of lower abdominal pain? In any event a local surgeon should be consulted.
It is not normal to have a stone in the appendix. This is often associated with acute appendicitis or inflammation of the appendix. If you are having pain in the right side of the abdomen (your belly), then you should definitely have the appendix removed. If you have no pain, then it is ok to hold off with having surgery, but there is a chance that you will need surgery at some point in the future.
This is called an appendicolith. When seen on CT in a patient exhibiting symptoms of acute appendicitis (i.e.. abdominal pain around the belly button and near the right lower abdomen, loss of appetite, hurts to jump), then it is recommended to remove the appendix. If you are asymptomatic, then you may hold off on surgery for the time being. However, if any abdominal pain or other described symptoms arise, then I would seek medical attention. Regardless, I would maintain routine medical visits to ensure you are not developing symptoms.
If things are the way you say you need to get your appendix removed. The thing that is important is that you see a Doctor ASAP.
It’s probably an appendicolith, and if not symptomatic, I would leave it alone.
This is called an appendicolith. There is a greater chance that you will get appendicitis but not in and of itself an indication for appendectomy.
No need to remove appendix in advance. Having a stone in it may place you on higher risk for future appendicitis, although not a lot of data about this.
A stone in your appendix is also known as an appendicolith. These can serve as a cause of appendicitis. Do you have right lower quadrant pain? Was this the reason why you had the CT scan? If so, you may need to consider having an appendectomy.
The incidental finding of a ‘stone’ in the appendix most commonly means nothing. These are called fecaliths. Actually, fecaliths are the cause of appendicitis. The appendix is a hollow tube that hangs off of the colon on the right side of your abdomen. Appendicitis occurs when a fecalith becomes impacted in the neck of the appendix. The appendix then begins to fill with its own secretions. Bacteria from the fecalith then begin to infect those secretions. As the pressure begins to increase within the appendix and inflammation sets in, the patient will begin to experience worsening Right sided abdominal pain. Eventually, the pressure builds up so much that the appendix will perforate. At this point, pus begins to spread throughout the abdominal cavity and sepsis sets in. Appendicitis is a short term illness. It usually manifests itself over 24-72 hours.
Was the ct for pain? Also known as a fecalith, a stone in the appendix can cause appendicitis. I’d recommend talking to your doctor.
Yes, you must have an appendectomy to avoid an appendiceal perforation with peritonitis.
It may not bother you, but later on may obstruct the inner part of the tube of appendix and would require surgery.
