Role of Contrast Enhanced Abdominal Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis of Suspected Acute Appendicitis.

Background: One of the most frequent reasons for acute abdomen that necessitates surgery is acute appendicitis.Even though appendicectomy is the standard treatment, there is a chance of complications following surgery. To assessindividuals exhibiting equivocal symptoms, computed tomography (CT) scans have been introduced. Its applicationmight reduce needless intervention by stratifying patients.Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic precision of contrast-enhanced computed tomography for suspected acuteappendicitis.Methods: Seventy-three individuals with probable acute appendicitis (Alvarado score range from 4 to 6) were included inthis research. Prior to appendectomy, the patients had preoperative CT scans of their abdomen and pelvis with intravenous contrast. The final pathology was correlated with the CT results.Results: The mean age of the study population 26.7 ± SD 11.9 years old. The incidence of positive appendicitis byintraoperative assessment was 70.5% while the incidence was 79.5 % by definitive pathological diagnosis. CT scan in thepreoperative settings had a sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of 75.3%, 100% and 80.3% respectively. Therewere 5 significant CT predictors for acute appendicitis: Distended appendix, thick enhancing wall, fat plane smudging,periappendicular fluid collection and appendicolith. A CT scoring system was created using the significant findings. Ascore of 2 or more had a 70.5% sensitivity, 100% specificty for diagnosing a pathologically proven acute appendicitis.Conclusion: CT abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast is a useful tool with high accuracy in diagnosing or excluding acuteappendicitis.