Beyond acute appendicitis: imaging of additional pathologies of the pediatric appendix

Primary acute appendicitis is by far the most common pathological condition affecting the appendix. There are differential diagnoses, however, when an abnormal appendix is found by imaging. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the imaging and clinical manifestations of less common appendiceal abnormalities in children. Familiarity with these alternative diagnoses might be particularly helpful in guiding management of the child whose clinical presentation is not typical for primary acute appendicitis.