PMID: 18186433Jan 12, 2008Paper

Imaging of acute appendicitis and its impact on negative appendectomy and perforation rates: the St. Paul's experience

Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal = Journal L'Association Canadienne Des Radiologistes
W K ChooiP Cooperberg

Abstract

Preoperative imaging of acute appendicitis is widely practised. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of preoperative imaging of acute appendicitis in our institution and its effect on the negative appendectomy rate and perforation rates. We undertook a retrospective review of all patients who underwent appendectomy from January 2000 to December 2004. All available preoperative ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and pathology results were reviewed. A total of 380 appendectomies were performed over this time period for the preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Fifty-nine patients had histologically normal appendices, giving an overall negative appendectomy rate of 15.5%. Overall, patients who had preoperative imaging showed a lower negative appendectomy rate (11.4%) than did those without imaging (22.2%). Without preoperative imaging, women had a higher negative appendectomy rate (34.3%) than did men (17.4%). Reduction in the negative appendectomy rate was demonstrated with preoperative imaging in both sexes (16.7% and 5.7%, respectively). Also demonstrated is a definite trend toward increased use of preoperative CT and away from US as the sole preoperative imaging modality. This is associated with...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.