Scand J Gastroenterol. 2010 Mar 25. [Epub ahead of print]
C-reactive protein is superior to bilirubin for anticipation of perforation in acute appendicitis.
Käser SA, Fankhauser G, Willi N, Maurer CA.

Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Hospital of Liestal, Liestal, Switzerland.
Abstract Objective. Very recently it has been shown that hyperbilirubinemia is a specific predictor of perforation in acute appendicitis. We compared the diagnostic importance of bilirubin, C-reactive protein (CRP), leukocyte count and age as markers of perforation in acute appendicitis. Material and methods. A two-center retrospective cohort study was completed. Patients with acute appendicitis (n = 725) were divided into two groups, group A with perforation (n = 155) and group B without (n = 570). Results. In group A an elevated CRP (> 5 mg/l) was measured in 98% of cases versus 72.5% in group B. Hyperbilirubinemia (> 20 mumol/l) was measured in 38% of cases in group A versus 22.3% in group B. Leukocytosis (> 10 x 10(9)/l) was measured in 85% of cases in group A versus 79.3% in group B. Analysis of qualitative and quantitative data showed every marker to be significantly correlated with perforation except elevated white cell blood count. However CRP showed the strongest correlation. The logistic regression model showed CRP to be by far the most significant marker of perforation. Conclusions. Our results confirm hyperbilirubinemia to be a statistically significant marker of perforation in acute appendicitis. However, CRP is superior to bilirubin for anticipation of perforation in acute appendicitis.

PMID: 20334601 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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2.
Am J Surg. 2009 Aug;198(2):193-8. Epub 2009 Mar 23.
Diagnostic value of hyperbilirubinemia as a predictive factor for appendiceal perforation in acute appendicitis.
Sand M, Bechara FG, Holland-Letz T, Sand D, Mehnert G, Mann B.

Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Augusta Krankenanstalt, Academic Teaching Hospital of the Ruhr University, Bochum, Bergstr. 26, 44791, Bochum, Germany.
BACKGROUND: Appendiceal perforation in patients with acute appendicitis may cause a variety of potentially life-threatening complications. Escherichia coli endotoxin has been shown to impact physiological bile flow in vivo. This had led to the theory that hyperbilirubinemia in patients with appendicitis may have a predictive potential for the preoperative diagnosis of appendiceal perforation. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the diagnostic value of hyperbilirubinemia as a preoperative laboratory marker for appendiceal perforation in patients with acute appendicitis. METHODS: We identified 538 patients (306 female; 232 male, mean age, 35.6 y) with histologically proved acute appendicitis who underwent laparoscopic or conventional appendectomy between January 2004 and December 2007 in a surgical department of an academic teaching hospital. A retrospective multiple chart review of the medical records including laboratory values and histologic results was conducted. RESULTS: The mean bilirubin level of all patients was .9 mg/dL (+/-.6 SD mg/dL; range, .1-4.3 mg/dL; median, .7 mg/dL). Patients with appendiceal perforation, however, had a mean bilirubin level of 1.5 mg/dL (+/-.9 SD mg/dL; range, .4-4.3 mg/dL; median, 1.4 mg/dL), which was significantly higher than those with a nonperforated appendicitis (P < .05). The specificity of hyperbilirubinemia for appendiceal perforation was .86 compared with .55 for white blood count and .35 for C-reactive protein. Sensitivity was .7 compared with .81 for white blood count and .96 for C-reactive protein. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with hyperbilirubinemia and clinical symptoms of appendicitis should be identified as having a higher probability of appendiceal perforation than those with normal bilirubin levels.

PMID: 19306980 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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3.
Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg. 2008 Jul;14(3):211-5.
[Spontaneous bile duct perforation: a rare cause of acute abdominal pain during childhood]
[Article in Turkish]

Ozdemir T, Akgül AK, Arpaz Y, Arikan A.

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. ozdemirtunc@yahoo.com
BACKGROUND: Spontaneous perforation of the bile duct (SPBD) is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain during childhood. Pancreatico-biliary malfunction has been postulated to contribute to its etiology. Factors related to diagnosis and treatment and difference from the other common causes of acute abdominal pain are emphasized. METHODS: Five patients (3 boys, 2 girls, mean age 4.6) were admitted with peritonitis and operated with initial diagnosis of perforated appendicitis. During laparotomy, SPBD was detected. Presentation, laboratory findings and operative technique of the patients were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Common complaints were abdominal pain and bilious vomiting. Abdominal distention was present in all patients. Leukocytosis and mild hyperbilirubinemia were detected in 5, elevated serum transaminase levels in 4, hyperglycemia in 1 and constipation in 1 patient(s). Abdominal ultrasonography showed a large amount of free fluid. During laparotomy, sterile bile peritonitis was detected initially. After exploration, SPBD was seen. T-tube drainage of the bile duct was carried out. Patients were discharged after removal of the T-tubes. Pancreatico-biliary malfunction was detected in 4 of 5 patients. CONCLUSION: In patients with generalized peritonitis, elevated transaminase levels and hyperbilirubinemia, SPBD must be considered. Even though the T-tube drainage is the treatment of choice, Roux-en-Y hepatico-portoenterostomy may be mandatory in certain patients.

PMID: 18781417 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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4.
Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ). 2006 Jul-Sep;4(3):281-9.
Evaluation of hyperbilirubinemia in acute inflammation of appendix: a prospective study of 45 cases.
Khan S.

Department of Surgery, Nepalgunj Medical College, Teaching Hospital, Nepalgunj, Nepal.
BACKGROUND: Hyperbilirubinemia is the result of imbalance between production and excretion of bilirubin by the liver. It may be because of hepatocellular, cholestatic or haemolytic diseases. Liver receives blood mainly through portal venous system, which receives blood from abdominal organs. Portal blood carries nutrients and other substances absorbed from gut including bacteria and its product (toxins). In small percentage, even in normal healthy people, bacteria are found in portal blood. It is commonly cleared by detoxification and immunological action of reticuloendothelial (RES) system of liver that act as first line defence in clearing toxic substances, bacteria and it's products. But when bacterial load overwhelms the Kuffer cell function, may cause dysfunction or damage to the hepatocytes (liver parenchyma). It reflects, rise in serum bilirubin (SB) alone or in combination with liver enzymes depending upon the type, severity and site of lesion. Recently, another substance known as Cytokines e.g. IL-6, Tumour necrosis factor (TNF), have also been labelled to be responsible for depressed excretory function of liver and may lead to increase in SB level without rise in liver enzymes. AIM: To evaluate hyperbilirubinemia associated in acute inflammation of appendix (acute appendicitis and its complication). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective study conducted at NGMC Teaching hospital Nepalgunj, Nepal during Oct.2004-Oct.2005. 45 Consecutive cases of acute appendicitis admitted in surgical unit III, were recruited for this study. Clinically suspected cases were subjected to investigations to confirm the diagnosis. Investigations included total leucocytes count, differential leucocytes count, urine analysis and ultrasound. These cases were also subjected to routine liver function tests. Subsequently these cases were operated and clinical diagnosis was confirmed per-operatively and post operatively by histopathological examination of the specimen. Their clinical and investigative data were compiled and analyzed and following observations were obtained. Routine liver function test results were compared with laboratory reference values given in Table- 1, 2 and 3. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Case with acute appendicitis and its complication with test negative for HBSAg and no past history of jaundice. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Case with acute appendicitis and its complication with test positive for HBSAg and /or past history of jaundice. RESULTS: Total number cases were 45. Of 45, 25 were males and 20 were females. Their age ranged from 11 years to 60 years. The average was 27.2 years. Duration of symptoms ranged from 5 hours to maximum 9 days. Among 45 cases diagnosed as acute appendicitis clinically (preoperatively), per operatively, 36 cases had inflamed appendix, 3 cases had gangrene, 5 cases had perforation with peritonitis (4 localized and 1 generalized peritonitis) and only a single case was noted to be of normal appendix (Table 4). Liver function tests (LFT) analysis revealed following results, Among 45 cases, SB was raised in 39 cases where as 6 cases had normal SB level. The raised SB ranged from 1.2 mg/dL to 8.4 mg/dL. The average level of SB was 2.38 mg/dL. All the cases had indirect fraction of SB above 15%. (Table 4). The rise in SB was without concomitant much rise in liver enzymes. CONCLUSION: Following conclusion can be drawn from the present study. Firstly, There was Hyperbilirubinemia in 86.6% of the patients of acute inflammation of appendix (i.e. acute appendicitis and its complications). Secondly, Raised SB ranged from 1.2mg/dL - 8.4 mg/dL. Thirdly, The rise in SB was mixed in type (both indirect and direct). Finally, The hyperbilirubinemia was intra hepatic cholestatic in type due either to abnormality in permeability of hepatocyte or ductular membrane enzyme inhibition as the liver enzymes were not much elevated.

PMID: 18603920 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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5.
J Gastrointest Surg. 2007 Jun;11(6):714-8.
Hyperbilirubinemia in appendicitis: a new predictor of perforation.
Estrada JJ, Petrosyan M, Barnhart J, Tao M, Sohn H, Towfigh S, Mason RJ.

Division of Emergency (Non-Trauma) Surgery, Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and Los Angeles County, USC Medical Center, 1200 North State Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
This study examines the relationship between hyperbilirubinemia and appendicitis. It was hypothesized that an association exists between the presence of appendiceal perforation and hyperbilirubinemia. Patients with liver function tests on admission and pathologically confirmed appendicitis were included in the study. Age, duration of symptoms, temperature, white blood cell counts, systemic inflammatory response score, and bilirubin levels were independent variables in a logistic regression analysis assessing factors predicting the presence or absence of appendiceal gangrene/perforation. Elevated total bilirubin levels (>1 mg/dl) were found in 59 (38%) of 157 patients. Patients with gangrene/perforation were significantly (p = 0.004) more likely to have hyperbilirubinemia than those with acute suppurative appendicitis. No statistical differences were observed for any of the other variables. On logistic regression the only significant relationship between the presence or absence of appendiceal gangrene and perforation was the presence of hyperbilirubinemia (p = 0.031, 95% confidence interval 1.11-7.6). The odds of appendiceal perforation are three times higher (odds ratio 2.96) for patients with hyperbilirubinemia compared to those with normal bilirubin levels. Hyperbilirubinemia is frequently associated with appendicitis. Elevated bilirubin levels have a predictive potential for the diagnosis of appendiceal perforation.

PMID: 17436050 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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