X-Ray Findings in a Case of Appendiceal Abscess of One Year's Duration

Abstract

Appendiceal abscess, though common enough in any busy surgical service, is for obvious reasons unusual in the X-ray laboratory. It is on this account that the following case is reported. R. F., a married white woman, aged 31, was admitted to the Knickerbocker Hospital, October 21, complaining of recurring attacks of cramp-like pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, for the preceding year. Five months before admission she had been confined to bed with an especially severe attack lasting several days, since which time she had been losing weight and strength. The attack which brought her to the hospital at the time of admission had lasted three days. On physical examination her general appearance showed the evidence of chronic disease of moderate severity. Her abdomen was somewhat rigid. There was moderate tenderness over McBurney's point and under this was a palpable mass about 2 inches in diameter, spherical, smooth and resilient. This mass was also palpated vaginally. Her te...