[Acute appendicitis: to image or not to image?]

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Gastroenterology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis is common, but diagnostic accuracy is limited.
• Approximately 50% of emergency room patients with suspected appendicitis do not have the condition.
• A significant percentage (20-25%) of appendectomies are performed on patients with a normal appendix, highlighting the need for improved diagnostic methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review imaging indications for suspected acute appendicitis.
• To describe ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) features of acute appendicitis.
• To discuss the advantages and limitations of US and CT in diagnosing appendicitis and to outline differential diagnoses for right lower quadrant pain.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of imaging modalities for suspected acute appendicitis.
• Analysis of diagnostic features of acute appendicitis on US and CT.
• Examination of the benefits and drawbacks of US and CT.
• Compilation of differential diagnoses for right lower quadrant pain.

Main Results:

• Imaging indications for suspected appendicitis are reviewed.
• Key US and CT imaging findings characteristic of acute appendicitis are detailed.
• Comparative analysis of US and CT performance, including their strengths and weaknesses, is presented.
• Differential diagnoses for right lower quadrant pain are outlined.

Conclusions:

• Accurate imaging is essential for diagnosing acute appendicitis and avoiding unnecessary surgery.
• Ultrasonography and computed tomography are valuable tools, each with specific advantages and limitations.
• Understanding imaging features and differential diagnoses improves patient management for right lower quadrant pain.