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Suggest Ways To Differentiate Between Kidney Infection And Appendicitis Pain
Question: What's the difference in a kidney infection pain and appendicitis pain?
Brief Answer:
Position, character of pain and associated symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history and a specific question.
Noted the history of cauda equina injury 25 years back and self-catherization - yearly appointment with Urologist- Cipro 500 started yesterday but still have right sided pain...
In this pretext: want to know the difference in kidney infection and appendicitis:
The classical presentation of acute appendicitis is like this:
The pain starts in the upper abdomen above the belly button and shifts to the right iliac fossa, meaning the area in between the belly button and the prominence of the iliac crest in the front position. The maximum tenderness is at the McBurney's point- the one about 3 inches right and lower to the belly button.
There may be associated fever, nausea, vomiting, bloating of the abdomen. The pain is pointed to this area unless the inflammation, infection or pus has spread to the surrounding area.
This can be elicited easily by the Doctor / Surgeon on examination and easily picked up by the high resolution ultrasonography and confirmed by CT scan if necessary.
In Kidney Infection:
The pain is at higher level, particularly to the back, can be dull or throbbing, making it difficult to turn in bed, walk around.
May be associated with fever and ''chills''
The Doctor can elicit the ''Kidney punch'' = renal angle tenderness so classical of the Kidney infection.
There may be associated urinary symptoms of burning, frequency and so on.
I hope, any Doctor / Surgeon can easily distinguish between the two on a classical history, physical examination to elicit the clinical signs and associated investigation of test of blood, urine, ultrasonography.
Of course, there can be variations in the classical presentation depending upon the position of the appendix, which part of the appendix is inflamed - the whole or the tip only and so on.
I have tried my best to simplify the answer. Please feel to ask for more if you need to or if you feel there is any gap-of-communication, I will be happy to assist you more.
Wishing you early and complete recovery and a very happy and healthy new year ahead.
Position, character of pain and associated symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history and a specific question.
Noted the history of cauda equina injury 25 years back and self-catherization - yearly appointment with Urologist- Cipro 500 started yesterday but still have right sided pain...
In this pretext: want to know the difference in kidney infection and appendicitis:
The classical presentation of acute appendicitis is like this:
The pain starts in the upper abdomen above the belly button and shifts to the right iliac fossa, meaning the area in between the belly button and the prominence of the iliac crest in the front position. The maximum tenderness is at the McBurney's point- the one about 3 inches right and lower to the belly button.
There may be associated fever, nausea, vomiting, bloating of the abdomen. The pain is pointed to this area unless the inflammation, infection or pus has spread to the surrounding area.
This can be elicited easily by the Doctor / Surgeon on examination and easily picked up by the high resolution ultrasonography and confirmed by CT scan if necessary.
In Kidney Infection:
The pain is at higher level, particularly to the back, can be dull or throbbing, making it difficult to turn in bed, walk around.
May be associated with fever and ''chills''
The Doctor can elicit the ''Kidney punch'' = renal angle tenderness so classical of the Kidney infection.
There may be associated urinary symptoms of burning, frequency and so on.
I hope, any Doctor / Surgeon can easily distinguish between the two on a classical history, physical examination to elicit the clinical signs and associated investigation of test of blood, urine, ultrasonography.
Of course, there can be variations in the classical presentation depending upon the position of the appendix, which part of the appendix is inflamed - the whole or the tip only and so on.
I have tried my best to simplify the answer. Please feel to ask for more if you need to or if you feel there is any gap-of-communication, I will be happy to assist you more.
Wishing you early and complete recovery and a very happy and healthy new year ahead.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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