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Most adults with acute right lower quadrant abdominal pain now undergo computed tomography (CT) when suspicion for appendicitis is at least moderate. In a study from one teaching hospital in Wisconsin, researchers reviewed the results of CT scans ordered explicitly to evaluate 1571 consecutive adults for appendicitis or right lower quadrant pain. All patients were referred from the emergency department or urgent-care settings.
CT revealed appendicitis in 24% of patients; according to review of clinical records, sensitivity and specificity of CT for appendicitis were 99% and 98%, respectively. CT also demonstrated specific alternative diagnoses in 32% of patients, and no specific diagnoses in 45%. Adnexal abnormalities accounted for nearly on…