According to statistics, acute appendicitis occurs in 25 per 10,000 of the population aged 10 to 17 each year in the United States. In children aged under 4, the condition occurs in 1 to 2 per 10,000.
According to statistics, acute appendicitis occurs in 25 per 10,000 of the population aged 10 to 17 each year in the United States. In children aged under 4, the condition occurs in 1 to 2 per 10,000.
Approximately 680,000 people in the US are diagnosed with acute appendicitis each year, which means 0.25% of the population or roughly 1 in 400 people. It is also estimated that the lifetime risk of acute appendicitis in the country is 8.6% for males and 6.7% for females.
Misdiagnosis of Appendicitis
In New York and other parts of the US, misdiagnosis of appendicitis is one of the top 5 among the most common causes of medical malpractice lawsuits against doctors in hospital emergency rooms (ERs). Between 5 and 10% of patients in emergency rooms complain of abdominal pain.
However, only a few of these patients have appendicitis. It is critical to diagnose appendicitis in a timely manner as a delay can result in a burst appendix, further leading to infection and surgical complications.
The symptoms of appendicitis can be mimicked by a variety of syndromes. Some are particularly difficult to distinguish from this painful condition, including cervical diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease and gynecologic conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy.
If you have suffered a ruptured appendix due to your doctor’s misdiagnosis of appendicitis, you can file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the negligent doctor and recover financial compensation for your injury, pain and suffering and other damages.
Proper Procedure for Diagnosis of Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition in which there is inflammation in the appendix, a small tube (3 1/2 inches) that is attached to the large intestine. The appendix does not serve an important function in the body, so it should be removed when inflammation occurs.
The most common signs and symptoms, considered classic indications, of appendicitis include the following:
- Pain in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen
- Vomiting and nausea
- Anorexia
However, you should keep in mind that those who suffer from appendicitis do not always experience or show the same signs and symptoms. This condition can also cause symptoms such as:
- Flatulence
- Indigestion
- Diarrhea
- Irregular bowel movement
- Generalized malaise
A physician who suspects that their patient may be suffering from appendicitis will most likely order a test called Complete Blood Count, or CBC. Roughly 80% of appendicitis patients have a condition in which their white blood cell count is elevated. This condition is known as leukocytosis. Apart from CBC, a physician may also order other radio imaging tests, such as ultrasonography or CT scan, to diagnose if the patient has appendicitis.
Get Legal Help in New York for Misdiagnosis of Appendicitis
If you or a loved one in New York has suffered complications due to misdiagnosis of appendicitis, you should immediately seek the legal expertise of the qualified and experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff of RMFW Law at 212-344-1000.
The first meeting with us is free. RMFW Law charges you nothing up front and in fact since we only take a percentage at the end, you really never have to write us a check. We have won millions of dollars for past clients, you too can be on this amazing list. Call RMFW Law today!
