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Appendix in children with cystic fibrosis: US features

Susanne W Lardenoye1, Julien B Puylaert, Margot J Smit

  • 1Department of Radiology, Juliana Children's Hospital, Sportlaan 600, Den Haag, the Netherlands.

Radiology
|May 29, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Ultrasonography revealed enlarged appendiceal diameter and mucoid material in children with cystic fibrosis. This suggests appendiceal diameter alone is insufficient for diagnosing appendicitis in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Radiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Cystic fibrosis (CF) can affect various organs, including the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Appendicitis is a common surgical emergency, but its presentation can be atypical in CF patients.
  • Understanding the normal ultrasonographic appearance of the appendix in CF is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the ultrasonographic (US) features of the appendix in children with cystic fibrosis who are asymptomatic for appendicitis.
  • To determine if appendiceal diameter alone is a reliable indicator of appendicitis in CF patients.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 31 children with cystic fibrosis, asymptomatic for appendicitis, underwent graded-compression US of the appendix.
  • Radiologists evaluated appendiceal diameter, changes in diameter with compression, wall dimensions, lumen contents, and periappendicular fat.
  • Exclusion criterion was the presence of abdominal pain at the time of the investigation.

Main Results:

  • The appendix was visualized in all but one patient.
  • Mean appendiceal diameter was 8.3 mm, with 83.3% measuring over 6.0 mm.
  • Mucoid material was present in the lumen of 27 out of 30 patients; wall structures and periappendicular fat remained normal.

Conclusions:

  • The majority of children with cystic fibrosis exhibit an enlarged appendiceal diameter and mucoid lumen contents on US.
  • Appendiceal diameter alone is not a definitive diagnostic parameter for appendicitis in children with cystic fibrosis.
  • Further investigation is needed to establish specific US criteria for appendicitis in this patient group.
Abstract

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