Size matters: Computed tomographic measurements of the appendix in emergency department scans.

Autor: Moskowitz E; Department of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, UCHealth- Memorial Hospital, Colorado Springs, CO, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA. Electronic address: eliza.moskowitz@ucdenver.edu., Khan AD; Department of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, UCHealth- Memorial Hospital, Colorado Springs, CO, USA., Cribari C; Department of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, UCHealth- Memorial Hospital, Colorado Springs, CO, USA., Schroeppel TJ; Department of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, UCHealth- Memorial Hospital, Colorado Springs, CO, USA.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: American journal of surgery [Am J Surg] 2019 Aug; Vol. 218 (2), pp. 271-274. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Dec 11.
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2018.12.010
Abstrakt: Background: Radiologists use a size cutoff in appendiceal diameter to assist surgeons in diagnosing appendicitis, however, no consensus exists as to the size of a normal adult appendix. We aim to evaluate radial appendiceal diameter on CT in adult patients both with and without appendicitis.
Methods: Retrospective review of adults who underwent abdominal CT was performed. Variables collected include: demographics, BMI, WBC count at presentation, radial diameter of appendix (mm), presence of fat stranding, fecalith, and free fluid.
Results: During the study period, 3099 patients underwent CT. The appendix was visualized on 74% of scans. Mean appendiceal diameter was 6.6 mm (±1.7). The appendix was larger in patients with appendicitis (6.6 vs. 11.4; p < 0.0001). Overall appendectomy incidence was 3.2%. Sensitivity and specificity of CT in diagnosing appendicitis in this cohort of patients were 90% and 94%. NPV was 99.5%.
Conclusion: While appendiceal diameter was larger in patients with appendicitis, >20% of patients without appendicitis had an appendiceal diameter >7 mm. Diameter alone should not be relied upon to diagnose appendicitis.
(Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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