How do we make the (right) diagnosis of acute appendicitis?

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the correct diagnosis in unselected patients presenting with suspected acute appendicitis in the Emergency Department in Hospital Trueta. To evaluate the different scenarios to achieve the correct diagnosis in patients with suspected acute appendicitis estimated by clinical evaluation without imaging, US only, CT only or US in all patients followed by CT after a non-diagnostic US. Design: Cross-sectional study conducted between April 2014 and March 2015. Settings: Medium-sized teaching hospital in Girona. Participants: Consecutive adult patients, 14 years old or older, with clinically suspected acute appendicitis evaluated at the emergency department. Main outcome: Correct diagnosis of acute appendicitis