Evaluation of Hyperbilirubinemia as a New DiagnosticMarker for Acute Appendicitis and its Role in the Prediction of Appendicular Perforation

Abstract

Recentstudies have shown hyperbilirubinaemia to be a useful predictor of appendicular perforation. An elevated Serum Total Bilirubin (STB) that is not explained by liver disease or biliary obstruction can be observed in many patients with acute appendicitis. However there is no confirmatory laboratory marker for the pre-operative diagnosis of acute appendicitis and appendicular perforation. Recently, elevation in serum bilirubin was reported, but the importance of the raised total bilirubin has not been stressed in appendicitis.