Correlation Between NLR and Abdominal CT and Its Predictive Value in Patients with Acute Appendicitis
1Department of General Surgery, Surgical Oncology Unit, School of Medicine, Okan University, İstanbul, Türkiye.
Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice
|March 30, 2026
Summary
The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) correlates with computed tomography (CT) findings in acute appendicitis (AA). Elevated NLR may predict disease severity and complications like free fluid, aiding diagnosis where CT is limited.
Area of Science:
- Medical Diagnostics
- Inflammatory Biomarkers
- Abdominal Imaging
Background:
- Acute appendicitis (AA) is a frequent cause of acute abdomen.
- Diagnosis relies on clinical evaluation, labs, and imaging.
- Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a readily available inflammation marker.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between NLR and CT findings in AA patients.
- To assess NLR's predictive value for AA severity indicators.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 159 AA cases (Feb 2018 - Jul 2023).
- Evaluation of demographic data, lab values, and CT results.
- Statistical methods: correlation, logistic regression, ROC analysis.
Main Results:
- Mean appendiceal diameter 10mm; common CT findings: fat stranding (97.5%), lymphadenopathy (85.5%).
- Free fluid presence associated with lower HGB/HCT and higher WBC, neutrophils, PLT, NLR, PLR (P<0.05).
- Optimal NLR cut-off of 4.45 predicted free fluid with 70.9% sensitivity and 63.5% specificity.
Conclusions:
- NLR significantly correlates with CT findings in AA.
- NLR may predict disease severity and complications.
- NLR can serve as a complementary diagnostic tool, especially with limited CT availability.
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