Grey Zone Appendicitis: Role of Blood Test Biomarkers to Detect Early Appendicitis and to Decrease the Incidence of Negative Appendectomy

Introduction: many investigations emerged in the last decades and contribute towards a diagnosis of unsure appendicitis; they are valuable to the emergency general surgeon. Aim: This study aims to assess the role of laboratory markers (bilirubin and phospholipase A2) individually or combined with Computed Tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of grey zone appendicitis (Alvarado score 5-6). Methods: This prospective study included all 310 patients admitted with right iliac fossa (RIF) pain who had Alvarado score 5-6 (intermediate risk of appendicitis). All underwent full laboratory investigations including serum total bilirubin and phospholipase A2. All are underwent CT scan and classified into group A with normal CT but with persistent right iliac fossa pain and group B with proved acute appendicitis by CT. All cases underwent a laparoscopic or open appendectomy. Other causes of hyperbilirubine¬mia are excluded among the patients.