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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Multimodality Diagnosis of Mesenteric Ischemia
Published on: July 21, 2023
[Ancillary diagnostic imaging is undesirable if there is evidence of appendicitis]
M Y A van Herwaarden-Lindeboom1, I H M Borel Rinkes, H G Gooszen
1Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht, afd. Heelkunde, Postbus 85-500, 3508 GA Utrecht.
Abstract:
CT and ultrasound have been advocated to improve the diagnostic accuracy and management of appendicitis. However, these were single-centre studies, performed by specialised radiologists and with a low level of evidence. Most of the literature shows no increase in diagnostic accuracy or decrease of negative appendectomies if radiographic imaging techniques are applied. However these techniques do lead to disadvantages such as radiation load and unnecessary prolongation of the diagnostic phase. Therefore, CT or ultrasound are of no use in the diagnosis and management of acute appendicitis.
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