Appendiceal imaging: which test is best?
Radiologic imaging has been clearly shown to be useful for the evaluation of patients clinically suspected of having appendicitis with CT and ultrasound being the most frequently recommended modalities. However, controversy still exists as to which modality is the technique of choice for appendiceal imaging. Our experience has led us to conclude that a standard helical abdominopelvic CT is the initial test of choice for the evaluation of the adult patient suspected of having acute appendicitis. Focused appendiceal CT with colonic contrast is then utilized as a problem solving technique for equivocal cases after this initial assessment.
Department of Radiology, Penn State College of Medicine, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
Judy S
JS
Blebea
Jon W
JW
Meilstrup
Scott W
SW
Wise
D000208:Acute Disease; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001065:Appendix / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
D003287:Contrast Media