Visualization of the normal appendix in children by non-contrast MDCT.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the proportion of normal appendices, identified on non-contrast MDCT scans of the abdomen and pelvis in children with possible renal stones.


METHODS
A total of 105 patients were included in the study, comprising 40 girls (38%) and 65 (62%) boys, with a mean age of 7.3 years. Non-enhanced abdominal computed tomographies were evaluated retrospectively, and the visualization, location, contents, diameter of the appendix, and the amount of abdominal fat were recorded.


RESULTS
The appendix was clearly distinguished in 72 patients (68.5%). The difference in appendix visualization rates between patients with low and medium amounts of abdominal fat was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Visualization increased with age. The greatest external diameter was between 2.8 and 10 mm, with a mean of 5 +/- 1.34 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
MDCT without contrast will be more useful when used in patients of 6 years old and over, for visualization of the appendix. A better visualization of retrocaecal appendix by MDCT provides a greater advantage over US. Prospective comparative studies will determine the role of this method in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in pediatric patients.
Ozturkmen Akay
H
H
Dicle University Medical School, Department of Radiology, Diyarbakir, Turkey. hozturkmen@dicle.edu.tr
Akpinar
E
E
Akgul Ozmen
C
C
Ergun
O
O
Haliloglu
M
M
D001064:Appendicitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*