Appendicitis in 2nd Trimester Pregnancy: A Diagnostic Dilemma

Dr. Kartik Chaudhary, Dr. Manoj Togale

Abstract: Pregnancy - related surgical emergencies most frequently include appendectomy for suspected appendicitis; with diagnosis presenting a unique difficulty for the surgeon. MRI abdomen is incredibly precise, sensitive and specific in diagnosis. This case report presents a 31 year old woman with second trimester pregnancy with pain abdomen, who underwent USG and MRI for the same and appendicitis could not be picked on the scans. The patient had a preterm delivery following which she underwent exploratory laparotomy which revealed appendiceal perforation, highlighting the importance of high index suspicion for appendicitis in this patient group even if imaging is negative.

Keywords: Appendicitis, pregnancy