Value of bone window settings on CT for revealing appendicoliths in patients with appendicitis

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2003 Jan;180(1):201-5. doi: 10.2214/ajr.180.1.1800201.

Abstract

Objective: Our retrospective study was designed to determine whether the use of bone window settings increases sensitivity of CT for diagnosing appendicitis and for detecting an appendicolith in patients with pathologically confirmed appendicitis.

Conclusion: The use of bone window settings is helpful for detecting appendicoliths when evaluating patients for acute appendicitis, particularly patients in whom evidence of appendicitis is equivocal. In this era of PACS (picture archiving and communication systems), bone window settings should be used routinely.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Appendicitis / complications
  • Appendicitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Appendix / diagnostic imaging*
  • Bone and Bones / diagnostic imaging
  • Calculi / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cecal Diseases / complications
  • Cecal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed* / methods