OBJECTIVE To establish the accuracy of unenhanced CT in the preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis. DESIGN Accuracy study, prospective and blinded. SETTING The University Hospital. PARTICIPANTS 52 patients with clinical and laboratorial manifestations of acute appendicitis. CT diagnosis was made by: presence of an abnormal appendix, appendiceal calculi with pericecal phlegmon or alt...

Appendicitis is one of the most common causes of the acute abdomen often requiring emergent surgery. Delayed diagnosis leads to the progression of uncomplicated appendicitis to complicated (gangrenous, perforated) appendicitis, often changing clinical management. Computed tomography and ultrasound are imaging modalities of choice to preoperatively diagnose appendicitis. Recent concerns of radia...