What question did this study set out to answer?

To prospectively determine how frequently ultrasonography visualizes the appendix in asymptomatic children and to characterize its normal anatomical appearance.

June 1, 2005Radiology

US Features of the Normal Appendix and Surrounding Area in Children

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Authors

FWFraukje WiersmaHaga Hospital AŠAlexandr ŠrámekLeiden University HHHerma C. HolscherHaga Hospital

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Implication

Prospective study reveals that ultrasonography depicts the normal appendix in 82% of asymptomatic children, establishing baseline dimensions to rule out appendicitis.

Key Points

To prospectively determine how frequently ultrasonography visualizes the appendix in asymptomatic children and to characterize its normal anatomical appearance.
Conducted a prospective ultrasound evaluation of N=146 consecutive pediatric patients (aged 2–15 years; 62 boys, 84 girls) with no clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis.
Measured outer diameter, mural thickness, color Doppler flow, and lumen contents while excluding patients with cystic fibrosis or acute abdominal pain.
Analyzed dimensional differences and potential correlations with age, weight, and height using Student t tests, Mann-Whitney tests, and linear regression.
Ultrasonography depicted the normal appendix in 82% (120/146) of children, showing 95% (114/120) in the classical position and 100% demonstrating compressibility.
The mean outer diameter was 0.39 cm (range, 0.21–0.64 cm) and the mean mural thickness was 0.18 cm (range, 0.11–0.27 cm), with no correlation to patient age, weight, or height.
The appendiceal lumen was empty in 62% (74/120) of visualized cases, and right lower quadrant lymph nodes were identified in 51% (75/146) of all evaluated children.

Cite This Study

Wiersma et al. (2005) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a75152b1646b2abe503504d https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2353040086

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Implication

Prospective study reveals that ultrasonography depicts the normal appendix in 82% of asymptomatic children, establishing baseline dimensions to rule out appendicitis.

US Features of the Normal Appendix and Surrounding Area in Children

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

US Features of the Normal Appendix and Surrounding Area in Children

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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