Appendicitis ultrasound
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Farwa Haideri [2]
Overview
Ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of appendicitis. Findings that are supportive of the diagnosis of appendicitis include noncompressible, dilated appendix, appendicolith, echogenic prominent pericaecal fat and periappeniceal fluid collection.
Ultrasound
- CT scans are preferred over ultrasounds for diagnosing appendicitis. However, ultrasound imaging presents with the least amount of radiation and is therefore the investigation of choice for young patients.
- The ultrasound technique is known as graded compression, which uses linear probes over sites of maximal thickness and gradually increasing pressure exerted to displace normal overlying bowel gas.
Findings Supportive of Appendicitis
Findings that are supportive of the diagnosis of appendicitis include:[1]
- Aperistaltic, noncompressible, dilated appendix (>6 mm outer diameter)
- Appendicolith
- Distinct appendieal wall layers
- Echogenic prominent pericaecal fat
- Periappeniceal fluid collection
References
- ↑ Appendicitis. Radiopaedia.org (27 August 2015). http://radiopaedia.org/articles/appendicitis Accessed on December 7, 2015