Histomorphometeric Study of Lymphoid Nodules of Vermiform Appendix

Objective: To study the lymphoid tissues of vermiform Appendix at various age groups to establish that appendix is an important organ of gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and its role in etiology of acute appendicitis. Study Design: Comparative study Place and duration: The study was conducted at Islamic International Medical College Rawalpindi from July 2011 to June 2013. Materials and Methods: Four age groups spacing 15 years between each group, except last group (advanced age) which had no limit because of less availability of the specimens, were made. In each group histological sections of 10 normal looking surgically amputated vermiform appendices were included. The parameters including number of lymphoid nodules and diameter of lymphoid nodules measured under the microscope. Results: There was gradual decrease of mean number of lymphoid nodules with advancing age but even at the age of 74 few numbers of lymphoid nodules were observed. There was great variation of diameter of lymphoid nodule at different age groups but at advanced age it was much decreased. Conclusion: The lymphoid nodules decreased with advancing age but these were present even at the age of 74 years. The diameters of lymphoid nodules are remarkable except at advanced age.