Suspected appendicitis in the pregnant patient

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Surgical Conditions in Pregnancy

Background:

• Appendicitis is a frequent cause of abdominal pain in pregnant individuals.
• Clinical presentation and physical examination findings can be atypical in pregnancy, complicating diagnosis.
• Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the diagnostic challenges of appendicitis in pregnancy.
• To evaluate non-ionizing imaging modalities for appendicitis diagnosis in pregnant patients.
• To propose a standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol for evaluating suspected appendicitis during pregnancy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies comparing imaging modalities for appendicitis in pregnancy.
• Analysis of safety and accuracy data for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) versus ionizing radiation imaging (X-ray, CT).
• Development of a proposed standard MRI protocol.

Main Results:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is suggested as a safe and accurate alternative to ionizing imaging.
• MRI can aid in the early and accurate diagnosis of appendicitis in pregnant patients.
• Standardization of MRI protocols can enhance diagnostic confidence and efficiency.

Conclusions:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a valuable tool for diagnosing appendicitis in pregnancy.
• Adoption of a standardized MRI protocol can improve clinical management.
• Non-ionizing imaging, particularly MRI, should be prioritized for suspected appendicitis in pregnant patients.