Nascent Akhtar, Nadeem Ahmad.
Diagnosis of acute appendicitis with helical C.T Scan – initial experience.
Pak J Radiol Jan ;15(2):7-11.

Objective: To determine the role of helical C. T scan in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, to our knowledge this is first series to be reported from Pakistan. Setting: Radiology department, Aga Khan University Hospital. Prospective study from May 2001 to December 2003. Material and Methods: 14 patients having equivocal clinical picture of acute appendicitis were included in this study. Helical C. T scan was performed after given oral contrast from 12-15 cm from right lower quadrant followed by intravenous contrast enhanced imaging from upper pole of kidneys to symphasis pubis. Images were acquired in bone window for appendicolith and abdominal windows. Image interpretation was performed on the console and hard copies for the diagnosis of appendicitis. Results: 4 patients having CT features of acute appendicitis, surgical findings and histopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis. 1 patient had pelvic abscess secondary to perforated appendix, 2 patients had cecal wall thickening that was also confirmed on surgery. All remaining patients showed normal appendix and no secondary signs of inflammation. Clinical follow-up of these patients was unremarkable. Conclusion: Helical C. T scan is useful to diagnose or exclude appendicitis.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com