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New Appendicitis Test Could Rule Out Surgery

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Jun 29, 2009 2:18 pm US/Eastern

New Appendicitis Test Could Rule Out Surgery

BOSTON (WBZ) ― Thousands of Americans suffer from appendicitis every year but the condition can be hard to diagnose.

And if doctors miss it, a patient can wind up with unnecessary surgery or serious complications.

Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have identified a protein found in urine that appears to be a biomarker for appendicitis. 

Read: More About The Test

"It would be a great help in diagnosing it more quickly and helping to rule it out in patients who don't end up having it and reducing the number of unnecessary surgeries," said Dr. Alex Kentsis of Children's Hospital.

Scientists say further studies need to be done to confirm these findings in adults.

But they say a urine test to diagnose appendicitis could be available within a few years.

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