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

Abstract

Recent studies 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. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between hyperbilirubinemia and acute appendicitis and to evaluate its credibility as a diagnostic marker for acute appendicitis and also, to see whether elevated bilirubin levels have a predictive potential for the diagnosis of appendicular perforation.