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Visualization of the normal appendix with MR enterography in children

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Abstract

Background

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging may provide a radiation-sparing alternative to CT in diagnosing appendicitis in children in whom US is equivocal. However, comparability with CT in the detection of the appendix remains to be established.

Objective

To determine the detection rate of the normal appendix in children on oral and IV contrast-enhanced MRI.

Methods

MR imaging of 58 patients who had previously undergone MR enterography was retrospectively reviewed. Detection rate, body mass index, age and gender were recorded.

Results

The normal appendix was detected in 28 cases (48 %), with greatest detection rate on the axial fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) sequence. Children in whom the appendix was detected had significantly higher BMI compared to children in whom the appendix was not seen. Neither age nor gender demonstrated a significant association with detection rate.

Conclusion

The detection rate of the normal appendix in children on oral and IV contrast-enhanced MRI was 48 %, which is comparable to detection rates on CT, as well as to previously reported detection rates on MR imaging with neither oral nor IV contrast agents. These findings may serve to guide the development of MRI protocols for pediatric appendicitis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, 525 E. 68th St., Rm. F631E, New York, NY, 10065, USA

    Arzu Kovanlikaya

  2. Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, 525 E. 68th St., New York, NY, 10065, USA

    Daniel Rosenbaum

  3. Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, 525 E. 68th St., Rm. F631D, New York, NY, 10065, USA

    Paula W. Brill

  4. Department of Public Health, Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA

    Madhu Mazumdar & Allison Dunning

Authors
  1. Arzu Kovanlikaya
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  2. Daniel Rosenbaum
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  3. Madhu Mazumdar
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  4. Allison Dunning
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  5. Paula W. Brill
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Correspondence to Arzu Kovanlikaya.

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Kovanlikaya, A., Rosenbaum, D., Mazumdar, M. et al. Visualization of the normal appendix with MR enterography in children. Pediatr Radiol 42, 959–964 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-012-2377-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-012-2377-3

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