No appendix??? Curious...

[Tesscorm]

Just curious about something... it seems that my son (who has Crohn's) does not have an appendix. Results from two ultrasounds done during his diagnosis showed that he had no appendix. Both were 'inconclusive' in that while they couldn't see an appendix, both said it 'might' be there, just not seen during the ultrasound.

Didn't seem to be even of minimal interest to the doctors but I'm just curious if anyone else with Crohn's is also missing an appendix. Although we don't seem to need an appendix, there is some belief that their is a connection with our immune system and the bacteria in the gut.

So just curious.. no concern.

 

[DustyKat]

You can be born without an appendix and it would appear that research is pointing toward the appendix being a type of holding bay for certain good bacteria that reboots the digestive system after contracting disease like cholera and dysentery.
I guess there could be a chance, if he has inflammation present, that they just can't identify it.

Both my kids had their appendix until the surgeons had nothing left to attach to following their resections. :lol:

Dusty. xxx

 

[Tesscorm]

It was just something that came to mind yesterday... guess I read something about the possible purpose of an appendix and got me thinking that it was odd that they couldn't find one in Stephen... just one of those 'hmmm, that's interesting' moments.

 

[Emily]

I have no appendix, but thats just cause my surgeon took it out during my resection. I dont really know why. I just know when I woke up he was like, "Hey we also took your appendix out".