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Diagnostic Imaging for Pediatric Appendicitis

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Controversies in Pediatric Appendicitis

Abstract

Children with suspected appendicitis may be diagnosed based on history and physical examination, but often require imaging, including ultrasonography (U/S), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or a sequential combination. Modality choice is multifactorial, with characteristics of the patient, family, facility, provider, method, and technique influencing imaging decisions. All three modalities exhibit strong test characteristics (sensitivity and specificity) and have a role in the diagnostic armamentarium for evaluating pediatric abdominal pain. The purpose of this chapter is to review the strengths and weakness of each modality, describe adjunct methods to improve their utility, and discuss the controversies surrounding imaging choice.

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  1. Center for Surgical Trials and Evidence-Based Practice, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA

    Dalya M. Ferguson, K. Tinsley Anderson & KuoJen Tsao

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  1. Dalya M. Ferguson
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  2. K. Tinsley Anderson
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  1. Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA

    Catherine J. Hunter

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Ferguson, D.M., Anderson, K.T., Tsao, K. (2019). Diagnostic Imaging for Pediatric Appendicitis. In: Hunter, C. (eds) Controversies in Pediatric Appendicitis. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15006-8_5

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