title: Utility of magnetic resonance imaging for suspected appendicitis in pregnant women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to estimate the rate and risk of appendix nonvisualization and alternative diagnoses made with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for suspected appendicitis in pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective cohort study of consecutive pregnant women who underwent MRI for suspected appendicitis at a single center from 2007-2012. Data on clinical presentation, imaging, and surgical pathologic evidence were extracted from electronic medical records. Odds ratios estimated risk factors for nondiagnosis. Radiologic diagnoses were identified, and rates of diagnoses were calculated. Subgroup analysis was performed among women who underwent initial imaging with ultrasound scanning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over the 5-year period, 171 pregnant women underwent MRI for suspected appendicitis. The rate of nonvisualization was 30.9% (n = 53). Of the remaining 118 women with a visualized appendix, 18 women had imaging findings that were consistent with appendicitis and underwent appendectomy. Twelve cases of appendicitis were confirmed on pathologic evaluation (66.7%). Women with nonvisualization of the appendix on MRI were more likely to be beyond the first trimester (odds ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-4.5). Seventy-four women had disease diagnosed on MRI (43.3%). In the group of 43 women who had a nondiagnostic ultrasound scanning before the MRI, the rate of subsequent diagnostic MRI was 65% (n = 28).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRI yields a high diagnostic rate and accuracy in pregnant women with suspected appendicitis and provides alternative diagnoses to guide further management. Given the high rate of appendix nonvisualization on ultrasound scanning that has been reported in the literature, we recommend MRI as the imaging modality of choice for this population in settings in which MRI is readily available.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO. Electronic address: theilenl@wudosis.wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Lauren H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Theilen
authors.affiliation: Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Vincent M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Mellnick
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Ryan E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Longman
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Methodius G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Tuuli
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Anthony O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Odibo
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Macones
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Alison G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Cahill
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D011264:Pregnancy Trimesters; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: MRI; appendicitis; imaging