Canadians study changing approaches to suspected acute appendicitis

As imaging for suspected appendicitis continues to evolve, researchers in Ontario, Canada, sent questionnaires to centers across the country to find out how they were handling these patients. Among the findings: Ultrasound is often the first choice for diagnosing younger patients.

"Presently, the diagnosis is predominantly based on imaging, requiring heavy use of limited imaging resources at the emergency setting, explained Dr. Michael Patlas, professor of radiology at McMaster University in Ontario.

The presentation will discuss the findings in detail. For example, almost three-fourths of respondents used contrast-enhanced CT in all patients with suspected appendicitis -- except younger patients, that is. Most respondents used ultrasound as the initial modality in patients younger than 40 years, and three-fourths use ultrasound first in pregnant patients. Half of centers have ultrasound available 24/7, and MRI isn't always available.

"To the best of our knowledge, we performed the first national study of Canadian academic radiology departments regarding imaging strategies in patients with suspected appendicitis," Patlas told AuntMinnie.com. "Implications for clinical care will include the development of a national imaging algorithm."