Nonperforated Acute Appendicitis with a Diagnosis of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

Abstract

Nonperforated acute appendicitis with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) due to sepsis has rarely been reported. An 82-year-old man presented with nausea and epigastric pain at 3 a.m. and underwent a checkup at another hospital in the evening of the same day. Suspected of having appendicitis, the patient was sent to our department and underwent an abdominal computed tomography scan that revealed swelling of the appendix at 13 mm without calcification. However, the findings did not suggest perforation. However, fever, blood analysis, and biochemical findings led to a diagnosis of nonperforated acute appendicitis with DIC. An emergency operation was performed. The surgical findings and histopathology revealed phlegmonous appendicitis without perforation. Postoperative intensive therapy improved the patient's general condition. The existence of nonperforated acute appendicitis with DIC due to sepsis should be recognized. It could cause the health of an elderly man to deteriorate quickly.