Epidemiological, Clinical, and Histopathological Profile of Appendiceal Diseases in a Teaching Hospital (2014–2024)

Abstract

Background: Appendicitis is a common surgical emergency requiring appendectomy, with delayed treatment leading to complications. Despite its prevalence, the histopathological spectrum of appendectomyecimens varies regionally due to demographic, environmental, and host factors, underscoring the need for local studies. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the clinical and histopathological features of appendiceal diseases at a teaching hospital over a 11-year period to identify the various histopathological spectra.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive review was conducted on 266 appendectomy specimens received between 2014 and 2024. Data were extracted from clinical request forms and histopathology reports. Cases with incomplete data or missing slides were excluded. Histological diagnoses were analyzed using SPSS version 23 for descriptive statistics. Results were presented in tables.

Results:  The patient age ranged 0–90 years, with the highest incidence in the 21–30-year group (37.97%). Females slightly outnumbered males (51.5% vs. 48.5%). Acute appendicitis was predominant (76.56%), with suppurative, phlegmonous and chronic appendicitis noted. Schistosomal parasitic appendicitis (2.3%), ruptured appendicitis (1.9%), lymphoid hyperplasia (8.7%), and a single case of metastatic adenocarcinoma (0.38%) were also identified. All patients presented with abdominal pain. Symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and fever were variable.

Conclusions: Histopathological examination of appendectomy specimens remains essential for confirming diagnosis and detecting uncommon pathologies such as parasitic infections and malignancies. This study provides crucial local epidemiological data that can guide clinical management and support further research on appendicitis in Nigeria.