Don’t order C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in children with suspected appendicitis.

Appendectomy is one of the most common surgical conditions in children. The diagnosis of appendicitis should be based on clinical findings coupled, where necessary, with imaging. Evidence shows that the routine measurement of CRP levels in patients with suspected appendicitis is not necessary and will not affect the physician’s diagnosis.

 

Sources:

Amalesh T, et al. CRP in acute appendicitis–is it a necessary investigation? Int J Surg. 2004;2(2):88-9. PMID: 17462226.

Jangjoo A, et al. Is C-reactive protein helpful for early diagnosis of acute appendicitis? Acta Chir Belg. 2011 Jul-Aug;111(4):219-22. PMID: 21954737.

Shogilev DJ, et al. Diagnosing appendicitis: evidence-based review of the diagnostic approach in 2014. West J Emerg Med. 2014 Nov;15(7):859-71. PMID: 25493136.