Is appendiceal computed tomography in a community hospital useful?

The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of an appendiceal CT protocol in a community hospital to more accurately diagnose acute appendicitis in order to decrease the negative appendectomy rate. Methods From January 1999 to July 2002, 423 patients with right lower quadrant pain or other symptoms consistent with acute appendicitis were studied with a focused CT of the appendix using a protocol adapted from Rao [8]. There were 6 false positive studies; however, at the time of surgery 1 patient was found to have Crohn's disease, 2 with ruptured ovarian cysts, 1 with torsion of the right ovary, and 1 was found to have fibrous obliteration of the lumen by histopathology.