Appendiceal CT in 140 cases diagnostic criteria for acute and necrotizing appendicitis

Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 140 patients with suspected acute appendicitis. Thin collimation (5 mm), intravenous contrast enhancement, 1-second scan times, and supplementary cecal air insufflation were emphasized. CT accuracy was 98% overall (137/140), and 99% in the 124 cases with early surgery. Necrotizing appendicitis was diagnosed by CT with 86% accuracy and 90% positive predictive value.