Patrick M Rao

BACKGROUND: In patients with clinically suspected appendicitis, computed tomography (CT) is diagnostically accurate. However, the effect of routine CT of the appendix on the treatment of such patients and the use of hospital resources is unknown.

METHODS: We performed appendiceal CT on 100 consecutive patients in the emergency department who, on the basis of history, physical examination, and laboratory results, were to be hospitalized for observation for suspected appendicitis or for ...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of appendiceal computed tomography (CT) availability on negative appendectomy and appendiceal perforation rates.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Appendiceal CT is 98% accurate. However, its impact on negative appendectomy and appendiceal perforation rates has not been reported.

METHODS: The authors reviewed the medical records of 493 consecutive patients who underwent appendectomy between 1992 and 1995, 209 consecutive patients who underwent appendectomy in 1997 ...

AIM: Appendiceal air has been reported as both a sign of appendicitis and of a normal appendix both at plain radiography and computed tomography (CT). It is the aim of this investigation to determine the prevalence, range of appearances, and significance of appendiceal and peri-appendiceal air at CT.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Appendiceal CT scans of 100 patients with proven appendicitis and 100 patients with a normal appendix were reviewed for the presence of appendiceal and peri-appendiceal ...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy and effect of helical computed tomography (CT) in women clinically suspected of having either appendicitis or an acute gynecologic condition.

METHODS: One hundred consecutive nonpregnant women suspected of having appendicitis or an acute gynecologic condition prospectively had helical CT. Interpretations were correlated with surgical and pathologic findings (41 cases) and clinical follow-up for at least 2 months (59 cases). The accuracy for confirming ...

This study determined the diagnostic utility and hospital resource impact of plain abdominal radiography in emergency department patients with suspected appendicitis. The authors reviewed medical records of 821 consecutive patients hospitalized for suspected appendicitis; 78% had plain abdominal radiography. Sixty-four percent had appendicitis. Radiographic findings were noted in 51% of patients with, and 47% of patients without appendicitis; no individual radiographic finding was ...

The objective of this study was to determine computed tomography (CT) appearance of recurrent and chronic appendicitis. In 100 consecutive appendiceal CT examinations of proven appendicitis, 18 patients met criteria for recurrent (multiple discrete episodes) or chronic (continuous symptoms > 3 weeks, pathological findings) appendicitis. CT findings were reviewed. Ten patients had recurrent appendicitis, 3 had chronic appendicitis, 3 had both, and 2 had pathological chronic appendicitis. ...

BACKGROUND: The authors determined the radiological misdiagnosis rate of primary epiploic appendagitis (PEA) and its impact on patient management and hospital resource use.

METHODS: A total of 660 computed tomography scans performed for clinically suspected diverticulitis (348 cases) or appendicitis (312 cases) were reviewed for cases meeting strict radiological criteria for PEA. Retrospective interpretations were compared with radiological reports. Medical records and hospital cost data ...