Computed tomography signs

CT has not been widely accepted as a medium for investigation of appendicitis. Disadvantages include:

• expense
• time-consuming
• sensitivity and specificity not greater than 80%
• necessity for oral contrast media to produce adequate scan

Signs of appendicitis on a CT scan include:

• thickened appendiceal wall
• increased density of fat around caecum
• faecoliths in appendix
• abscess confined to wall of appendix

CT may find a niche in patients with an atypical history of right lower quadrant pain where provisional investigations have been equivocal.