Basilar pneumonia simulating acute appendicitis in children
J. Z. Jona and R. P. Belin
Twelve children with acute abdominal pain, which was suspected of being
acute appendicitis, were subsequently found to have lower lobe pneumonia.
Diagnostic barium enema or operative exploration failed to demonstrate any
appendiceal abnormality. The abdominal symptoms and the ileus subsided soon
after the initiation of antibiotic therapy. Contrary to common belief, it
was observed that left-sided pneumonia is capable of mimicking appendicitis
almost as frequently as right-sided pneumonia. Since the likelihood of
acute appendicitis accompanying pneumonia is small, operative intervention
is rarely indicated and should be undertaken only after careful and
intensive investigation.
