Clinical Case Database / Category: Clinical Care

Alvarado Score For Predicting Acute Appendicitis

Publication details

Aliyah Choudhary, Edward Rawstorne, Ahmed Karim, Sharad S Karandikar
Foundation Years Journal, volume 9, issue 7, p.6 (123Doc Education, London, July 2015)

Abstract

Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency and junior doctors with limited surgical experience are often first to assess patients with possible appendicitis. A diagnostic delay increases the risk of perforation, post-operative complications and longer hospitalization periods. Prompt surgical assessment and diagnosis is therefore crucial to prevent complications and reduce morbidity. The Alvarado scoring system enables risk stratification of suspected appendicitis cases and is a useful diagnostic tool that can be implemented by the foundation year doctor. The aim of this article is to provide junior doctors with knowledge of the Alvarado scoring system including its efficacy and limitations.

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Authors

Aliyah Choudhary (Corresponding author)

Foundation Year 1 Doctor
Birmingham Heartlands Hopsital,
Bordesley Green East,
Birmingham, B9 5SS
aliyah.choudhary@nhs.net

Edward Rawstorne

Surgical Registrar
Birmingham Heartlands Hopsital,
Bordesley Green East,
Birmingham, B9 5SS
edward.rawstorne1@nhs.net

Ahmed Karim

Surgical Registrar
Birmingham Heartlands Hopsital,
Bordesley Green East,
Birmingham, B9 5SS
ahmedkarim101@yahoo.com

Sharad S Karandikar

Consultant Surgeon
Birmingham Heartlands Hopsital,
Bordesley Green East,
Birmingham, B9 5SS
sharad.karandikar@nhs.net

References

1. Ohle R, O'Reilly F, O'Brien KK, Fahey T, Dimitrov BD. The Alvarado score for predicting acute appendicitis: a systematic review. BMC Medicine 2011, 9:139.
2. The Health and Social Care Information Centre, Hospital Episode Statistics for England. Admitted Patient Care statistics, 2013-14. Available from: http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB16719/hosp-epis-stat-admi-proc-2013-14-tab.xlsx (accessed June 09 2015).
3. Alvarado A. A practical score for the early diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Ann Emerg Med 1986, 15:557-56
4. Heineman J. An evaluation of the Alvarado score as a diagnostic tool for appendicitis in children. Emerg Med J 2012;29:1013-1014.
5. Mahato IP, Karn NK, Lewis OD, Agrawal CS, Bhandari R. Effect of the Alvarado score on the diagnostic accuracy of right iliac fossa pain in an emergency. Trop Doct. 2011, 41:11-14.
6. Mán E, Simonka Z, Varga A, Rárosi F, Lázár G. Impact of the Alvarado score on the diagnosis of acute appendicitis: comparing clinical judgment, Alvarado score, and a new modified score in suspected appendicitis: a prospective, randomized clinical trial. Surg Endosc. 2014, 28(8):2398-405.

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T​he Foundation Years Clinical Cases Database is​ a selection of 600 peer-reviewed clinical cases in the field of patient safety and clinical practice, specifically focused on the clinical information needs of junior doctors, based around the Foundation Year Curriculum programme (MMC). The cases have been chosen to align with the Foundation Year Curriculum.

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