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Unenhanced helical CT for suspected acute appendicitis
1Department of Radiology, Stanford University, School of Medicine, CA 94305-5105, USA.
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|February 1, 1997
Summary
Unenhanced helical CT scans accurately diagnose acute appendicitis. This effective imaging technique achieved 94% accuracy, aiding in prompt diagnosis and alternative condition identification.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Abdominal Imaging
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency.
- Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and preventing complications.
- Diagnostic imaging plays a key role in evaluating suspected appendicitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of unenhanced helical CT scans for suspected acute appendicitis.
- To determine the sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of this imaging modality.
Main Methods:
- 109 adult patients with suspected appendicitis underwent unenhanced helical CT.
- Scans used 5-mm collimation and a pitch of 1.6, without contrast media.
- Diagnosis criteria included enlarged appendix (>6 mm) with inflammation; appendicoliths were secondary findings.
Main Results:
- The study achieved a 90% sensitivity and 97% specificity.
- Positive and negative predictive values were both 95%, with an overall accuracy of 94%.
- Unenhanced CT identified alternative diagnoses in 22% of patients, including diverticulitis and urinary tract disease.
Conclusions:
- Unenhanced, thin-section helical CT is a highly accurate and effective method for diagnosing acute appendicitis.
- This technique aids in differentiating appendicitis from other conditions, improving patient management.