Acute Appendicitis : Fecalith

Obstruction of the appendiceal lumen with superimposed bacterial infection is considered to be one of the most common mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of acute appendicitis. However, the evidence of obstruction, such as a fecalith (shown in this image), is seen only in a small percentage of appendectomy specimens. Besides fecalith, other causes of obstruction include lymphoid hyperplasia, tumors, foreign body, and inspissated mucin (e.g. cystic fibrosis).

Image courtesy of: Dr. Ibrahim Zardawi; used with permission.