title: Current Approach to the Diagnosis and Emergency Department Management of Appendicitis in Children.
abstract: Concerns about radiation exposure have led to a decrease in the use of computed tomography in suspected appendicitis, with increased reliance on ultrasound. Children with suspected appendicitis should be risk stratified using a combination of clinical signs and symptoms, white blood cell count, and ultrasound in order to guide further evaluation and management. Magnetic resonance imaging is a promising imaging modality but remains costly. Ongoing research is evaluating the role of nonoperative management in children with confirmed appendicitis.
authors.affiliation: Staff Physician (Lipsett) and Chief (Bachur), Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Susan C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lipsett
authors.forename: Richard G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Bachur
mesh_terms: D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods