Granulomatous Appendicitis in the Pediatric Population

Abstract

Background

The clinical significance of a diagnosis of granulomatous appendicitis (GA) is not well established in the pediatric population.

Methods

Retrospective review of the etiology and histopathology of pediatric GA at 2 large pediatric institutions.

Results

Forty-three (0.4%) patients had GA at a median age of 12.1 years. Twenty-two (51%) had perforated appendicitis that was medically managed prior to interval appendectomy. Sixteen of 21 noninterval appendectomies were performed for clinically suspected acute appendicitis. Among them, 1 had Crohn’s disease identified during surgery. None of the other patients had a subsequent diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (median follow-up of 4 weeks). There were significantly more cases with mucosal-only granulomas as well as fewer serosal granulomas in the noninterval appendectomy specimens than the interval specimens (P = .014). When performed, special stains for microorganisms did not contribute to clinical care. In the same time period, GA was seen in 6 (6%) of 94 bowel resections for Crohn’s disease.

Conclusion

GA is rare in pediatric patients, with interval appendectomy being the most common etiology and only rarely associated with Crohn’s disease. Granulomas in interval appendectomies tend to be serosal-based. Special stains for infectious organisms in GA are of low diagnostic yield and have little impact on clinical management.