title: Appendicitis during pregnancy with a normal MRI.
abstract: Abdominal pain frequently represents a diagnostic challenge in the acute setting. In pregnant patients, the gravid abdomen and concern for ionizing radiation exposure further limit evaluation. If undiagnosed, appendicitis may cause disastrous consequences for the mother and fetus. We present the case of a pregnant female who was admitted for right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Advanced imaging of the abdomen and pelvis was interpreted to be either indeterminate or normal and a diagnosis of acute appendicitis was made on purely clinical grounds. This patient's management and a literature review of diagnostic techniques for acute appendicitis during pregnancy are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Naval Medical Center, Emergency Department, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Matthew M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: Naval Medical Center, Emergency Department, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Alexei U
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Kudla
authors.affiliation: Naval Medical Center, Emergency Department, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Chris B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Chisholm
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult