appendicitis (pelvic)

Last reviewed 01/2018

Pelvic appendicitis can present with:

  • an absence of abdominal wall rigidity and tenderness
  • tenderness in the rectovesical pouch and Pouch of Douglas on rectal examination
  • spasm of psoas muscle on right-hand-side
  • diarrhoea due to contact of appendix with rectum
  • frequency of micturition due to contact of appendix with bladder
  • hypogastric pain on flexing and internally rotating the hip - due to contact of inflamed appendix with obturator internus muscle