Examination of the Appendix at Laparotomy as a Diagnostic Clue in Cystic Fibrosis

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Abstract
RECURRENT abdominal pain in childhood, with or without an abdominal mass in the right lower quadrant, often leads to the diagnosis of "chronic appendicitis" and results in an exploratory surgical procedure. An appendectomy is usually performed even though the appendix may appear grossly normal. We have seen 14 patients with recurrent abdominal pain who have undergone laparotomy and appendectomy and were subsequently found to have cystic fibrosis.The diagnosis of cystic fibrosis may be made on the basis of the histologic appearance of the appendix. The astute pathologist may recognize the increased activity of the mucus-secreting cells with wide gaping . . .

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