C-reactive protein: an aid to assessment of suspected acute appendicitis

In a series of 50 patients who were admitted to hospital with suspected acute appendicitis, serum C-reactive protein [CRP] was measured to determine the value of its assessment in management of such cases. 39 patients subsequently underwent operation. In 32 patients the diagnosis of acute appendicitis was confirmed and in another 4 significant intra-abdominal pathology was found. This group of 36 patients had significantly higher C-reactive protein levels than the 3 patients who had a negative laparotomy and the remaining 11 who had no operation. C-reactive protein assay is simple, rapid and may be of value as a diagnostic aid in assessing acute abdominal pain