Etymed
appendicitis
Definition
inflammation of the appendix
Clinical context
A 22-year-old college student presents to the emergency department with abdominal pain that started around the umbilicus 6 hours ago and has now shifted to the right lower quadrant. The patient reports loss of appetite, nausea, and a low-grade fever. On examination, there is marked tenderness in the right lower quadrant with positive Rovsing's sign. Laboratory studies show elevated WBC count with left shift. The patient is diagnosed with acute appendicitis requiring urgent surgical intervention.
Mnemonic
PASS - Pain shifts from umbilicus to right lower quadrant, Anorexia, Sausage-shaped appendix on imaging, and Surgery required