Alvarado Score Calculator

Alvarado score calculator is a simple tool that helps you estimate whether a patient has acute appendicitis or should they undergo diagnostic imaging. The Alvarado criteria use only simple clinical measurements: signs, symptoms, and basic laboratory data available for almost every patient suspected of acute appendicitis.

In this article, you will learn what causes appendicitis, what are the signs and symptoms of appendicitis, and its treatment. We will discuss the criteria used in the Alvarado score method and show you how to use our calculator.

If you are interested in health and medicine, check out also the ideal weight and body fat calculators!

The appendix (vermiform appendix) is a finger-like worm-shaped structure connected to the cecum – a part of the colon located at the junction of the small and large intestines. On average, it is about 9 centimeters long and has a diameter of 7 millimeters. It does not have a fixed location – this variability is all the more critical as it may affect the patient's symptoms. In a healthy appendix, there is lymphatic tissue – the scientists believe its function is to maintain proper gut flora.

What is the definition of appendicitis? It is a common condition characterized by an inflammatory process taking place in the appendix; it is usually managed by surgery. If you are wondering what causes appendicitis, you should remember – the most common pathophysiological cause of it is the blockage of the lumen of the appendix by feces "stone" (or rarely gallstones, parasites, tumors).

Appendicitis is one of the most common and significant causes of severe abdominal pain that comes on quickly and at the same time the most common cause of sudden abdominal pain requiring surgery.

The most common single symptom of appendicitis is pain. But what kind of pain is typical for appendicitis? Usually, it is an intense pain localized in the whole abdomen or the central part of it, which later migrates to the right lower quadrant. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite (anorexia).

What are the signs of appendicitis? The most typical findings on physical examination in a patient with appendicitis are rebound tenderness (also known as Blumberg sign), pain on percussion, rigidity, and guarding. Patients often have elevated arterial pressure. However, these are all non-specific symptoms, which means that different diseases may also have similar or even the same signs and symptoms. There are also some additional signs which are specific but occur in a minority of patients with acute appendicitis. These are:

• The Rovsing sign:
  (right lower quadrant pain with palpation of the left lower quadrant).

• The obturator sign:
  (right lower quadrant pain with internal and external rotation of the flexed right hip).

• The psoas sign:
  (right lower quadrant pain with extension of the right hip or with flexion of the right hip against resistance).

• The Dunphy sign:
  (sharp pain in the right lower quadrant elicited by a voluntary cough).

• The Markle sign:
  (pain elicited in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when the standing patient drops from standing on toes to the heels with a jarring landing).

Usually, the major part of a typical treatment of appendicitis is appendectomy – a surgical procedure during which the appendix is removed.

Appendectomy is one of the most often performed surgery worldwide. It may be performed through a laparotomy (open appendectomy) or laparoscopy. The surgery lasts up to two hours, and in case no complications occur, the patient leaves the hospital after a few days. After the surgery eating a balanced diet is crucial to maintain adequate amounts of protein, carbs, fat, and calories in the body.

However, clinical diagnosis is not always easy to perform. In such cases, diagnostic imaging and the usage of scoring systems, such as the Alvarado score, seem to be useful.

Scoring systems, which help to diagnose and manage patients, are widespread in medicine, see, e.g., the APGAR score or CURB-65 calculators. Scientists all over the world searched for a simple tool that could help in the diagnosis of appendicitis. The history of scoring systems for acute appendicitis began in the 1980s.

In 1986 Dr. Alfredo Alvarado published an article in Annals of Emergency Medicine in which he described a simple scoring system that helps to diagnose acute appendicitis. The article was based on a retrospective analysis of 305 patients suspected of appendicitis. His scoring system is based on 8 measurements, each of which can be rated at 0 or 1 (possibly 2 points). This easy-to-perform appendicitis test includes the evaluation of the following:

• Right lower quadrant tenderness (+2 points);
• Rebound tenderness (+1 point);
• Elevated body temperature (>37.3 °C or 99.1 °F) (+1 point);
• Migration of pain to the right lower quadrant (+1 point);
• Anorexia (+1 point);
• Nausea (+1 point);
• Leukocytosis (high number of leukocytes; see the ANC calculator) > 10,000/µl (+2 point); and
• Leukocyte left shift (+1 point).

Primarily, it was believed that patients with Alvarado score of 7-10 should undergo an appendectomy because they have a 93% risk of appendicitis, those with Alvarado score of 5-6 should be observed and undergo diagnostic imaging, and those with Alvarado score of 0-4 should be discharged. However, newer data suggest that Alvarado score should be an appendicitis test used to rule out appendicitis in patients with score 0-5 and not to decide whether patient should have appendectomy or not.

Let's get an example! A 28-year-old male (6 ft and 180 lb) came to the Emergency Department due to severe pain, which started 8 hours before and was primarily located in the umbilical region of the abdomen, then migrated to the right lower quadrant. The patient also reports fever, nausea, and vomiting. On physical examination: rebound tenderness and right lower quadrant tenderness. Laboratory test results reveal leukocytosis 13000/µl and leukocyte left shift. Let's apply the Alvarado scoring method:

• Right lower quadrant tenderness (+2 points)
• Rebound tenderness (+1 point)
• Elevated body temperature (>37.3°C or 99.1°F) (+1 point)
• Migration of pain to the right lower quadrant (+1 point)
• No Anorexia (0 point)
• Nausea (+1 point)
• Leukocytosis > 10,000/µl (+2 point)
• Leukocyte left shift (+1 point)

Altogether, the Alvarado score is 9 points. It is highly probable that the patient has acute appendicitis, and an immediate appendectomy should be considered.