Radiation appendicitis: demonstration with graded compression US

In a patient who had received presurgical radiation therapy for extensive rectal carcinoma, ultrasonography with graded compression disclosed an inflamed appendix. The patient had no clinical signs of acute appendicitis. At laparotomy for resection of the rectal carcinoma, the appendix appeared grossly abnormal and was removed. Pathologic examination showed severe radiation enteritis of the appendix. The sonographic appearance of radiation appendicitis closely resembled that of acute appendicitis.