Assessment of Mean Platelet Volume as A Diagnostic Indicator in Acute Appendicitis

Background: Acute appendicitis is a prevalent cause of emergency abdominal surgery; yet, early and precise diagnosis is frequently difficult due to overlapping clinical characteristics and diverse presentations. Laboratory markers can aid in decision-making, and platelet-derived inflammatory indices have recently attracted interest. Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), indicative of platelet size and activation, may offer further diagnostic utility in cases of suspected acute appendicitis. The aim is to assess the diagnostic significance of Mean Platelet Volume in patients presenting with clinical features of acute appendicitis. Material and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted over 10 months in the General Surgery Department, including 45 patients clinically suspected of acute appendicitis. Detailed history, physical examination, routine blood investigations, and MPV measurement were performed. Diagnosis was confirmed intraoperatively and by histopathological examination. MPV values of confirmed appendicitis cases were compared with those of non-appendicitis presentations. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and diagnostic accuracy were calculated to determine the utility of MPV as a diagnostic marker. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among the 45 patients, the majority were from the younger age demographics, with a little male predominance. Acute appendicitis was confirmed in the majority of individuals through surgical and histological findings. The mean MPV levels were markedly elevated in confirmed appendicitis cases relative to non-appendicitis presentations. Increased MPV exhibited strong discriminatory capacity, with substantial sensitivity and specificity for forecasting acute appendicitis. Elevated MPV values were associated with an enhanced inflammatory response and were more pronounced in complex appendicitis. Statistical analysis validated the correlation between elevated MPV and the occurrence of acute appendicitis, demonstrating significance with p < 0.05. Conclusion: MPV is a simple, fast, and cost-effective laboratory parameter that may provide significant diagnostic assistance in cases of suspected acute appendicitis. While it should not supplant established diagnostic instruments, MPV functions as a valuable supplementary tool, especially in environments with constrained imaging capabilities.

Keywords: Acute Appendicitis, Hematological Parameters, Inflammatory Marker, Mean Platelet Volume, Platelet Indices.