CHAPTER 1 CT IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE APPENDICITIS

Effect of Computed Tomography of the Appendix on Treatment of Patients and Use of Hospital Resources

Rao PM, Rhea JT, Novelline RA, et al. NEJM. 1998;338(3):141–146

BACKGROUND

In 1994 ACEP released clinical guidelines for the workup of suspected appendicitis, which included complete blood count (CBC), urinalysis, consult, and admission.¹ The diagnosis of appendicitis was a clinical diagnosis confirmed only by pathology or the test of time. Prior to the widespread use of CT scan, patients with suspected appendicitis were taken directly to the operating room or hospitalized for serial abdominal examinations, often resulting in potentially avoidable hospital admissions. Prior to imaging it was estimated that a significant number of appendicitis cases were missed and 15% of patients who underwent surgery had a normal appendix.²

OBJECTIVES

To determine if the routine use of appendiceal CT scan in patients with suspected appendicitis changes patient care and its impact on hospital resources.

METHODS

Prospective, observational, single-center study conducted in the United States in 1996.

Participants

Related posts:

Noninvasive Ventilation in Pulmonary Edema Missed ACS in the ED tPA in Acute MI: The Gusto Trial Epinephrine in Cardiac Arrest Early Goal-directed Therapy in Sepsis Risk of Serious Bacterial Infection in Febrile Infants with RSV

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel

Join