Evaluation of the normal appendix at low-dose non-enhanced spiral CT.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the frequency of visualization, thickness and location of the normal appendix at non-enhanced spiral computed tomography (CT).


METHODS
Low-dose spiral CT scans obtained for renal colic assessment in 243 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The frequency of visualization, thickness and location of normal appendices were recorded without knowledge of the patients' history for the appendectomy.


RESULTS
Forty of 234 patients had a past history of appendectomy (17%). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of visualization of the normal appendix were 71%, 85%, 96%, 37% and 73%, respectively. When no intraluminal content was visualized, this area was excluded from the measurement and the mean thickness was 3.4 mm+/-0.66.


CONCLUSIONS
The normal appendix is frequently seen at nonenhanced spiral CT. Knowing the normal thickness of the appendix can help reduce false positive and false negative diagnoses of acute appendicitis when reviewing non-enhanced spiral CT.
Bursali
Aykut
A
Department of Radiology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Araç
Mehmet
M
Oner
Ali Yusuf
AY
Celik
Halil
H
Ekşioğlu
Seçil
S
Gümüş
Terman
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D001065:Appendix / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology