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Diagnostic errors of right lower quadrant pain in children: beyond appendicitis

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Abstract

Right lower quadrant pain in children can result from various underlying conditions other than acute appendicitis. The common mimics of acute appendicitis are related to acute gastrointestinal and genitourinary diseases. Diagnosis of right lower quadrant pain in the pediatric population can be challenging, especially when the symptoms are often nonspecific. This article reviews the currently available imaging techniques for evaluating a child with right lower quadrant pain and the spectrum of differential diagnoses with a focus on imaging clues to a specific diagnosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Patricia T. Chang, Gary R. Schooler & Edward Y. Lee

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  1. Patricia T. Chang
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  2. Gary R. Schooler
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  3. Edward Y. Lee
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Correspondence to Edward Y. Lee.

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Chang, P.T., Schooler, G.R. & Lee, E.Y. Diagnostic errors of right lower quadrant pain in children: beyond appendicitis. Abdom Imaging 40, 2071–2090 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-015-0482-0

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