Resolving appendicitis: role of CT.
BACKGROUND
We assessed the role of computed tomography (CT) in the resolution of appendicitis.


METHODS
This was a retrospective study over 2.5 years involving 155 patients and 172 CT scans for suspected appendicitis in an emergency setting.


RESULTS
Sixty-nine studies were positive for appendicitis by CT criteria. Of these, 53 underwent surgery: 48 were positive for appendicitis, four had other pathologies (two with colon cancer, one with colitis, one with infectious enteritis), and one had a normal appendix that was removed. Three of the 69 patients were released or left the emergency room against medical advice. Twelve patients demonstrated acute appendicitis by CT criteria but were treated conservatively because their clinical conditions were stable; four of those patients had follow-up CT that showed resolution of findings. Six patients were followed clinically, without recurrence of symptoms, and two were lost to follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Resolving appendicitis is an entity that should be considered in a patient who has signs positive for appendicitis on CT but is doing well clinically. CT positive for appendicitis does not necessarily indicate surgery, and the decision for operation should depend on clinical and radiologic features.
Kirshenbaum
M
M
Department of Radiology, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, 836 West Wellington Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657, USA.
Mishra
V
V
Kuo
D
D
Kaplan
G
G
D000208:Acute Disease; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed