A diagnosis of acute appendicitis is made on clinical grounds. That means that the surgeon takes a history and examines the patient and comes to a diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Investigations (tests) are additional procedures that are used to rule out other diagnoses, that is to make sure that the cause of the pain is not something else, eg. urinary stone or infection, ovarian cyst, ectopic pregnancy, etc. Or to assist to make a diagnosis when there is doubt. The treatment for acute appendicitis is appendicectomy (removal of the appendix).

Occasionally, another explanation for the pain may be found during the operation. The appendix is actually not inflammed (not appendicitis). We call it “white” (as opposed to a “red” inflammed appendix.) A common cause of pain in the right lower quarter of the abdomen, which mimics appendicitis, is a ruptured right ovarian cyst. The blood and fluid from the cyst causes pain similar to appendicitis.

So there’s the answer.

This is a one of a paired organ, peering out from among the loops of bowel. Can you tell what it is?

I’ve added a “Bloggers against book banning” logo on the sidebar. It links to a blog highlighting the banning and restriction of books entering Malaysia. Among the articles is one which summarizes the way in which the entry books are being restricted and gives a list of books being restricted in this manner. Among them are children’s books. I wonder when the Kementerian Keselamatan Dalam Negeri will explain its rationale for the restriction of the books.

Update: The “Manuscripts don’t burn” blog links to the KKDN site with a list of banned books. These do not include the list of “restricted” books.

Yesterday, Joseph’s kindergarten held a year-end concert featuring performances by the children. Children from his kindergarten and a sister branch presented twelve items of colourful dance, song and musical sketches.

The parents were even more excited than the children, judging from the number of parents standing right below the stage at the front of the hall (tsk tsk tsk, I know they’re all excited, but don’t hog the limelight lah.)