MDCT: The Gold Standard Diagnostic Test For Suspected Appendicitis

Main Category: MRI / PET / Ultrasound
Also Included In: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine
Article Date: 04 May 2010 - 3:00 PDT


Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is highly accurate at detecting or ruling out appendicitis; can reduce the number of negative appendectomies (the unnecessary removal of the appendix), and in many cases, offer an alternative diagnosis when appendicitis is not present, according to a study to be presented at the ARRS 2010 Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA.

"Our study results showed the accuracy of MDCT to be 98 percent," said Perry J. Pickhardt, lead author of the study. "The negative appendectomy rate was only 8.3 percent, which is significant, and when appendicitis was not present, MDCT offered an alternative diagnosis in approximately 50 percent of patients," said Pickhardt.

The study, performed at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, WI, included 1,666 patients who underwent MDCT for suspected appendicitis. Based on final clinical, surgical, and pathologic grounds, acute appendicitis was ultimately confirmed in 406/1,666 patients.

"MDCT can detect and rule out appendicitis with confidence and can often find an alternate cause for symptoms when appendicitis is not present. Without a doubt, MDCT should be the gold standard diagnostic test for suspected appendicitis," he said.

This study will be presented on Tuesday, May 4, at 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

Source
American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS)

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