Abstract
The three siblings described here consisted of the elderly daughter who had been conservatively treated for acute appendicitis, the son and the younger daughter. Case 1) : The younger daughter, 15 years old, was admitted to our hospital because of right lower quadrant abdominal pain. The physical examination revealed tenderness in the right lower quadrant of abdomen. CT examination showed a swollen appendix. She was diagnosed with acute appendicitis and underwent appendectomy. Retrocecal gangrenous appendicitis with a fecalith was finally diagnosed. Case 2) : The son, 17 years old, was admitted to our hospital because of right lower quadrant abdominal pain with a fever. There were rebound tenderness and muscular defense in the right lower quadrant. An abdominal CT examination showed a fecalith. He was diagnosed with acute appendicitis and underwent appendectomy two days after the younger daughter's operation. Retrocecal phlegmonous appendicitis with a fecalith was finally diagnosed. This simultaneous occurrence of acute appendicitis in the siblings might be owing to some hereditary factor generating retrocecal formation of the appendix which might cause appendicitis in addition to dietary factor, infection and information. We emphasize the importance of family history in the treatment and indication of surgery for acute appendicitis.
