Adenovirus appendicitis

Adenovirus appendicitis is a rare inflammatory condition of the appendix.

General

• Rare type of appendicitis in children.
• Classically found in association with intussusception or mesenteric adenitis .
  • Uncommonly presents as an acute appendicitis.
• Caused by Adenovirus.

Microscopic

Features:

• Lymphoid hyperplasia - key feature.
• +/-Adenovirus inclusions; "smudge cells".

Notes:

• The classic finding of appendicitis (neutrophils infiltrating into the muscularis propria) may be absent.

DDx:

• Negative appendectomy

Image

• Smudge cell (medpedia.com).

IHC

• Adenovirus +ve = diagnostic.

See also

• Vermiform appendix.
• Acute appendicitis.