title: Outer diameter of the vermiform appendix: not a valid sonographic criterion for acute appendicitis in patients with cystic fibrosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to investigate whether the outer diameter of the vermiform appendix on cross-sectional sonography is as reliable a criterion with which to confirm acute appendicitis in patients with cystic fibrosis as in those without cystic fibrosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The outer appendiceal diameter of 6 mm or more cannot be considered a reliable criterion for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in patients with cystic fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Radiology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint Luc, 10, avenue Hippocrate, Brussels B1200, Belgium.
authors.forename: Renaud
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Menten
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lebecque
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saint-Martin
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clapuyt
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001065:Appendix / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography