The Difference Between Acute and Chronic Appendicitis
The differences between acute appendicitis and chronic appendicitis mainly lie in the onset of the condition, physical signs, and laboratory tests. First, regarding the onset of the condition, acute appendicitis occurs suddenly and can involve abrupt abdominal pain, whereas chronic appendicitis often manifests as fixed tenderness in the lower right abdomen and the symptoms are not particularly typical. In terms of physical signs, acute appendicitis presents with migratory pain in the lower right abdomen, while chronic appendicitis generally does not involve rebound pain. Thirdly, concerning auxiliary examinations, acute appendicitis shows a significant increase in the white blood cell count during an attack, whereas in chronic appendicitis, the white blood cell count may appear normal.