Appendicoliths are hard lumps that form inside your appendix when small pieces of poop and minerals clump together. Appendicoliths usually don’t cause pain, so most people don’t know they have them. But if they block the opening of your appendix, they can cause appendicitis, which is painful and can be dangerous if not treated quickly.
An appendicolith is a hard lump made when poop (feces) and minerals clump together. They form inside your appendix. Appendicoliths are usually less than 1 centimeter in diameter and typically don’t cause any symptoms. Your provider often discovers them accidentally during a CT scan (computed tomography scan) or an ultrasound.
By themselves, appendicoliths aren’t dangerous. But if an appendicolith blocks the opening of your appendix, it can cause severe inflammation, known as appendicitis.
Not usually. An appendicolith by itself isn’t an emergency. But if it leads to complications, like appendicitis, then it becomes an emergency.
Appendicitis can make your appendix swell and lead to severe stomach pain. Left untreated, a swollen appendix can burst. It can lead to peritonitis, abscesses and septic shock, which can be fatal.
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If you have appendicoliths, you either have no symptoms at all or the symptoms of appendicitis, which include:
Healthcare providers aren’t sure why appendicoliths develop. Some think they might form if you swallow hard particles that go through your intestines without being digested.
Risk factors for developing appendicoliths include:
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Usually, providers find appendicoliths during imaging scans done for other reasons. For example, your healthcare provider might order a CT scan or abdominal ultrasound after an accident to check for injuries inside your body.
Sometimes, providers find appendicoliths during imaging to diagnose appendicitis.
If your provider finds an appendicolith, but you're not showing signs of appendicitis, they’ll discuss if you need treatment.
Lab work can show signs of infection or inflammation often related to appendicoliths and appendicitis. These tests include:
Although lab work itself doesn’t diagnose appendicoliths, it helps your provider understand your overall health and develop a treatment plan.
How your provider treats your appendicolith depends on the size of your appendicolith, how much pain it’s causing you and if it has led to appendicitis.
Some providers suggest having all appendicoliths removed regardless of their size because they increase your chances of getting appendicitis. And even though appendicitis has several causes, having an appendicolith can make it worse.
If you have an appendicolith but no appendicitis, treatment is generally watchful waiting. People often pass the appendicolith through their colon without any intervention.
Your provider will usually treat appendicitis by removing your appendix (appendectomy) through either open surgery or laparoscopic surgery. The faster your surgeon performs the appendectomy, the better. A quick appendectomy will help you avoid serious infections that can lead to septic shock.
If your provider does remove your appendix, they’ll also give you antibiotics to prevent more infection.
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It’s important to talk to your provider about the specific risks based on your health condition and the type of treatment you have.
Complications from taking high doses of antibiotics are common but usually not severe. These can include:
Complications from open surgery can include:
There tend to be fewer complications with laparoscopic surgery than with open surgery, and the recovery time is usually quicker. But there’s a risk of complications with any surgery. The risks of laparoscopic surgery include:
Length of recovery depends on your overall health, the severity of your illness and the type of treatment you had for appendicolith. If your provider removes your appendicolith laparoscopically, it takes about one to three weeks to recover. If you have open surgery, it may take up to six weeks.
You can’t really prevent appendicoliths or appendicitis. But you can take steps to keep your bowels healthy, which may lower your risk of developing these conditions. Keep things moving by:
Having an appendicolith isn’t necessarily dangerous, but it does put you at a higher risk of developing appendicitis. Removing the appendicolith greatly reduces that risk.
If you develop appendicitis, you’ll likely require surgery to remove your appendix. But you can expect to make a full recovery.
If you have intense stomach pain, especially coming from the area around your belly button and spreading down the right side of your stomach, call your healthcare provider immediately. Additional signs of appendicitis alerting you to seek emergency care include:
Some questions you should ask your provider if you have an appendicolith include:
Yes, you can have an appendicolith without having appendicitis. Some people have them and don’t even know because they don’t feel sick.
Think of appendicoliths like pebbles. Some are as tiny as a grain of sand, while others are as big as a pea or marble. Smaller ones might not cause any problems and might sit there without you noticing. But bigger ones can block your appendix, which can lead to serious issues like appendicitis.
Appendicoliths are very common and occur in 3% of the general population. Usually, they don’t cause any symptoms (asymptomatic).
The answer to that question depends on several factors, including your:
If you know you have an appendicolith, your healthcare provider might want to see you regularly to keep an eye on it. They’ll help you decide what to do next based on your overall health and the size and location of the appendicolith.
Your provider will decide whether to remove your appendicolith based on levels of inflammation and whether you have symptoms of appendicitis. They’ll discuss the best treatment for you.
Having an appendicolith — small, hard lumps made of poop and minerals that form in your appendix — doesn’t mean you’ll get appendicitis, but your risk is greater. It’s important to listen to your body and pay attention to how you’re feeling. Make sure you see a healthcare provider regularly. By staying on top of things, you can immediately get the help you need, possibly saving your life.
Last reviewed on 07/03/2024.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy