title: Diagnosis of appendicitis in pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The diagnosis of appendicitis in pregnant patients is challenging.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of pregnant patients with suspected appendicitis were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-seven patients with suspected appendicitis were identified. Twenty-four patients did not undergo surgery. Twenty-three patients had ultrasound (US), none of which visualized the appendix. Seventeen patients were followed up clinically and improved. Six patients had a negative computed tomography (CT) and none required surgery. Twenty-three patients underwent surgery for presumed appendicitis. Three patients had no imaging. Twelve patients had US only; US was positive in 5 patients and all had appendicitis. Seven patients who underwent surgery had a nondiagnostic US. One patient had appendicitis. Seven patients had a positive CT and appendicitis at surgery. One patient had a positive US and magnetic resonance imaging, and had appendicitis. A total of 43 patients had US, of which 86% were nondiagnostic. Six US were read as positive and all patients had appendicitis. Thirteen patients had CT with no false-positive or false-negative results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  US, when read as positive, requires no further confirmatory test other than surgery. If US is nondiagnostic, further imaging may avoid a negative appendectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Orlando Regional Medical Center, 86 W. Underwood, Orlando, FL 32806, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Freeland
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Safcsak
authors.forename: Rodney
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Durham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy