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Kang, Park, Koo, and Choi: A Case of Ruptured Acute Appendicitis Presenting as Pneumoperitoneum in Low Birth Weighted Premature Baby
Case Report
Journal of the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons

Journal of the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons 2012; 18(2): 83-88.

Published online: 31 December 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.0000/jkaps.2012.18.2.83

A Case of Ruptured Acute Appendicitis Presenting as Pneumoperitoneum in Low Birth Weighted Premature Baby

Kyumin Kang, M.D.1, Youngmin Park, M.D.1, Haesoo Koo, M.D.2, Kum-ja Choi, M.D.1

1Department of Surgery, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

2Department of Pathology, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Correspondence: Kum-ja Choi, M.D., Department of Surgery, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, 911-1 Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul 158-710, Korea. Tel: 02)2650-5554, Fax: 02)2644-7984, kumchoi@ewha.ac.kr

Received 26 September 2012       Accepted 15 November 2012

Copyright © 2012 Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons

Abstract

Acute appendicitis is very rare in premature neonates. Preoperative diagnosis of this condition is difficult, and then it leads to high morbidity and mortality. We report 9-day-old premature male with ruptured acute appendicitis presented with pneumoperitoneum on plain films of the abdomen. Awareness of this rare condition and possible differential diagnosis in this age group is also discussed.

Keywords: Premature neonate, Pneumoperitoneum, Ruptured appendicitis

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
Preoperative supine(a) and cross-table lateral(b) abdominal X-ray show distension of bowel loops and free air in the peritoneum.
jkaps-18-83-g001
Fig. 2
Abdominal exploration shows the appendix completely transected (arrow).
jkaps-18-83-g002
Fig. 3
Masson's trichrome stain. Histopathologic examination of appendix shows a necrotic tissue and acute inflammatory cell in perforation site.
jkaps-18-83-g003

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