title: Aids in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.
abstract: Methods used to improve the accuracy of diagnosis of acute appendicitis are reviewed. Laparoscopy, barium enema, ultrasonography and computer assistance have all been shown to improve accuracy, but no one method is of proven superiority. Such diagnostic aids or intensive in-hospital observation must be used to reduce the 15-30 per cent negative laparotomy rate when acute appendicitis is suspected, without increasing the incidence of appendiceal perforation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery D, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D001466:Barium Sulfate