Useful radiological signs in acute appendicitis in children

Straight X-rays of 92 control patients with acute appendicitis and 92 control subjects were studied for radiographic abnormalities. Disturbance in intestinal gas pattern was the most common abnormality. Presence of a faecolith, free peritoneal fluid, scoliosis and a soft tissue mass were useful supporting signs. Loss of the properitoneal fat line and the right psoas outline were not reliable signs as they occurred with equal frequency in both groups.