“How do they check for appendicitis on CT?”
I am an 18 year old male. I want to know how do they check for appendicitis on CT?
4 Answers
The appendix has a normal range of sizes. When the appendix is enlarged and is inflamed on CT then its usually appendicitis. There are certain imaging criteria we use to determine if the appendix is inflamed.
CT scan shows thickening, dilatation and inflammation around an acute appendix. It can show free air in the belly or an abscess as well.
The appendix normally measures up to 6mm in diameter, a measurement larger than this can be a sign of appendicitis. Thickening of the appendiceal wall, stranding of the fat, periappendiceal fluid and/or other inflammatory changes are other diagnostic findings suggestive of
appendicitis. These findings correlated with the patients symptoms and laboratory values (ie elevated white blood cell count) would help diagnose appendicitis.
appendicitis. These findings correlated with the patients symptoms and laboratory values (ie elevated white blood cell count) would help diagnose appendicitis.
Appendicitis can be often readily seen on ultrasound (somewhat more difficult in the heavier patient) as well as CT (and MR) On CT one searches for abnormality in the fat surrounding an abnormally wide tubular structure that can be followed to the cecum, the area of the bowel that the appendix comes off of.
