elical CT plays an important role

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1 bdominal Imaging Yu et al. Helical CT of cute RLQ Pain Pictorial Essay Jinxing Yu 1 nn S. Fulcher Mary nn Turner Robert. Halvorsen Yu J, Fulcher S, Turner M, Halvorsen R Helical CT Evaluation of cute Right Lower Quadrant Pain: Part I, Common Mimics of ppendicitis OJECTIVE. The purpose of our pictorial essay is to present common mimics of appendicitis as noted on helical CT in patients with right lower quadrant pain and to highlight the features that provide clues to the diagnosis. CONCLUSION. Recognition of the findings of common diseases that simulate acute appendicitis on helical CT, along with features that help to differentiate these entities from appendicitis, is important in establishing a correct diagnosis and in guiding appropriate therapy. Received July 21, 2004; accepted after revision September 28, ll authors: Department of Radiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia, 401 N 12th St., PO ox , Main Hospital, Third Floor, Richmond, V ddress correspondence to J. Yu (jyu1@vcu.edu). JR 2005;184: X/05/ merican Roentgen Ray Society elical CT plays an important role H in the evaluation of patients with right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain and suspected acute appendicitis. Many conditions can produce RLQ pain or inflammatory changes similar to those of acute appendicitis resulting in a diagnostic challenge on CT [1, 2]. Common diseases that mimic appendicitis include Crohn s disease, pelvic inflammatory disease, acute pyelonephritis, renal and urinary tract obstruction, hemorrhagic ovarian cyst, right-sided diverticulitis, mesenteric adenitis, epiploic appendagitis, bowel ischemia, right colonic neoplasia, and infectious ileocolitis. Helical CT findings of these common mimics along with features that help to differentiate them from appendicitis are emphasized in these proven cases. cute ppendicitis cute appendicitis (Fig. 1) manifests on CT as enlargement of the appendix with a diameter greater than 6 mm, thickened wall with enhancement, periappendiceal fatty stranding, and sometimes with an appendicolith, or focal thickening of terminal ileum or cecum [1 3]. In early or mild appendicitis, the appendix may remain normal in size. The thickened wall with enhancement may be the only major finding on CT (Fig. 2). focal defect in the wall of the inflamed appendix (Fig. 3), appendicolith outside the appendix, periappendiceal fluid collection, or extraluminal air near the appendix indicates perforation of the appendix. Crohn s Disease Crohn s disease may present as acute RLQ pain with fever and elevated WC, mimicking appendicitis. Helical CT findings in Crohn s disease include bowel wall thickening, narrowing of the lumen, mesenteric fatty stranding, creeping fat, and skip lesions [4] (Fig. 4). bdominal abscesses may develop adjacent to segments of bowel severely affected by Crohn s disease (Fig. 5). The long segmental wall thickening of the terminal ileum, the center of inflammation away from the appendix, and circumferential symmetric thickening of the cecum are the major features that differentiate Crohn s disease from appendicitis. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Pelvic inflammatory disease represents a spectrum of infection within the female reproductive system. Hydrosalpinx, especially 1136 JR:184, pril 2005

Yu et al. Fig. 1. 22-year-old man with acute appendicitis. C = cecum.

(arrowheads) posterior and medial to cecum.

xial CT image shows mildly enhanced appendix (arrows) with diameter of 6 mm and minimal

27-year-old man with perforated acute appendicitis.

2 Yu et al. Fig year-old man with acute appendicitis. C = cecum., xial CT image shows enlarged appendix (arrow) and fat stranding in right lower quadrant (arrowheads) posterior and medial to cecum., xial CT scan obtained inferior to shows dilated appendix arising from cecum with wall enhancement and thickening (arrows). Fig year-old man with right lower quadrant pain for 1 day and low-grade fever. xial CT image shows mildly enhanced appendix (arrows) with diameter of 6 mm and minimal periappendiceal fatty stranding consistent with early acute appendicitis. Fig year-old man with perforated acute appendicitis., xial CT scan shows extensive fat stranding and fluid collection (arrows) surrounding enhanced and dilated appendix (). djacent small bowel (sb) shows wall thickening., xial CT scan obtained inferior to shows defect (arrowheads) in inflamed appendiceal wall (), indicating perforation. Extensive fat stranding and fluid collection (arrows) are present. JR:184, pril

Helical CT of cute RLQ Pain Fig. 4. 43-year-old man with Crohn s disease. xial CT scan shows circumferential wall thickening of cecum (solid arrows) and terminal ileum (open arrow).

The extrinsic inflammation from a tuboovarian abscess, if it lies adjacent to the appendix, may cause serosal edema and mural thickening of the appendix, which create a diagnostic challenge.

cute Pyelonephritis cute pyelonephritis may present with appendicitis-like symptoms.

3 Helical CT of cute RLQ Pain Fig year-old man with Crohn s disease. xial CT scan shows circumferential wall thickening of cecum (solid arrows) and terminal ileum (open arrow). when involvement is limited to the right fallopian tube, may be confused with a dilated appendix on CT (Fig. 6). The extrinsic inflammation from a tuboovarian abscess, if it lies adjacent to the appendix, may cause serosal edema and mural thickening of the appendix, which create a diagnostic challenge. Recognizing that the inflammation is centered in the adnexa rather than in the appendix assists in making the correct diagnosis. cute Pyelonephritis cute pyelonephritis may present with appendicitis-like symptoms. However, on contrast-enhanced helical CT, numerous lowattenuation wedges and streaks in the renal parenchyma with associated focal or diffuse enlargement and perinephric fat stranding readily allow the differentiation of this entity from appendicitis (Fig. 7). Renal and Urinary Tract Obstruction Urinary tract disorders commonly present with acute right lower abdominopelvic pain [5]. Occasionally, urine extravasation may occur from the renal collecting system or ureter if the obstruction is acute and severe and may extend into RLQ, resulting in fat stranding mimicking acute appendicitis (Fig. 8). Identifying the normal appendix and tracing the fat stranding back to the urinary tract may help in differentiating this entity from acute appendicitis. Hemorrhagic Ovarian Cyst Hemorrhagic ovarian cyst is the most frequent gynecologic condition presenting with lower abdominopelvic pain that may simulate appendicitis, especially when it occurs on the right side. On helical CT, a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst appears as a well-circumscribed structure with attenuation greater than that of simple fluid (Fig. 9). Rupture of the ovarian cyst resulting in free pelvic fluid and/or fat stranding may mimic acute appendicitis. Identification of a normal appendix in conjunction with an ovarian cyst and associated inflammatory changes centered in the adnexa is helpful in establishing the correct diagnosis. Right-Sided Diverticulitis Right colonic diverticulitis may be mistaken clinically for acute appendicitis. The helical CT findings usually consist of asymmetric thicken- Fig year-old woman with Crohn s disease and abscess. sb = small bowel., xial CT scan shows circumferential wall thickening of distal small bowel and cecum (C) with adjacent fat stranding (arrow)., xial CT scan obtained inferior to shows large abscess (arrows) in mesentery adjacent to long segment of distal small bowel with wall thickening JR:184, pril 2005

Yu et al. Fig. 6. 34-year-old woman with acute right lower quadrant pain.

, xial CT scan obtained inferior to shows fat stranding (open arrows) surrounding right ovary (O).

ing of the cecal wall, pericolonic inflammation, and the presence of diverticula [6] (Fig. 10).

4 Yu et al. Fig year-old woman with acute right lower quadrant pain., xial CT scan shows dilated tubular fluid-density structure in right adnexa (arrows) medial to cecum (C) consistent with right hydrosalpinx., xial CT scan obtained inferior to shows fat stranding (open arrows) surrounding right ovary (O). Physical examination showed vaginal discharge and cervical motion tenderness consistent with pelvic inflammatory disease. Uterus (U) is noted. ing of the cecal wall, pericolonic inflammation, and the presence of diverticula [6] (Fig. 10). Identifying pericolonic inflammation centered above the ileocecal valve or adjacent to a diverticulum is helpful in differentiating diverticulitis from appendicitis. Mesenteric denitis Mesenteric adenitis represents a benign infection or inflammation of the lymph nodes within the mesentery that results in abdominal pain, often mimicking appendicitis clinically [7]. If the sole finding in patients with RLQ pain is enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes clustered in the RLQ seen in association with a normal appendix, the diagnosis of mesenteric adenitis is highly likely (Fig. 11). Epiploic ppendagitis Epiploic appendagitis is thought to occur as a result of spontaneous torsion, ischemia, or inflammation of an epiploic appendage of the colon. The condition presents with acute abdominal pain that can mimic appendicitis [8]. On helical CT, the lesion shows a characteristic appearance as an ovoid fat-attenuation focus with a hyperattenuating rim associated with the serosal surface of the adjacent colon (Fig. 12). Mild inflammatory changes of the surrounding fat may be seen. owel Ischemia owel ischemia is a common cause of abdominal pain in the elderly. Helical CT findings Fig year-old woman with fever and right abdominal pain., xial CT scan shows linear low densities with striated appearance (arrows) in right kidney consistent with pyelonephritis., xial CT scan obtained inferior to shows complex fluid collection (arrow) consistent with evolving abscess. JR:184, pril

Helical CT of cute RLQ Pain Fig. 8. 41-year-old man with right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain.

consistent with obstruction. Final diagnosis was right ureteropelvic obstruction. Fig. 9.

xial CT scan shows cystic structure in right adnexa (arrows) with well-defined wall most likely

Follow-up pelvic sonography performed 6 weeks later (not shown) showed interval resolution of cyst.

5 Helical CT of cute RLQ Pain Fig year-old man with right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain., xial CT image shows fatty stranding in RLQ (solid arrows) surrounding contrast-filled appendix (open arrow)., xial CT scan obtained superior to shows dilatation of right renal collecting system (arrows) consistent with obstruction. Final diagnosis was right ureteropelvic obstruction. Fig year-old woman with acute right lower quadrant pain. xial CT scan shows cystic structure in right adnexa (arrows) with well-defined wall most likely representing hemorrhagic cyst. Follow-up pelvic sonography performed 6 weeks later (not shown) showed interval resolution of cyst. Fig year-old man with right-sided diverticulitis., xial CT scan shows multiple diverticula (arrowheads) of right colon (C) with pericolonic fat stranding (arrows)., xial CT scan obtained superior to shows inflamed diverticulum (arrowhead) in medial aspect of right colon (C) with extensive pericolonic fat stranding (arrows) JR:184, pril 2005

Yu et al. Fig. 11. 23-year-old man with right lower abdominal pain.

42-year-old woman with right abdominal pain.

quadrant right lateral to cecum (C), consistent with epiploic appendagitis. Fig. 13.

xial CT scan shows wall thickening of cecum (C) with pneumatosis (open arrows) and pericecal fat stranding (solid arrows).

59-year-old woman with fever and acute right abdominal pain.

6 Yu et al. Fig year-old man with right lower abdominal pain. xial CT scan shows several slightly enlarged lymph nodes (arrows) in mesentery, medial to right colon (C). Fig year-old woman with right abdominal pain. xial CT scan shows fat-containing lesion (asterisk) with hyperattenuating rim and fat stranding (arrows) in right lower quadrant right lateral to cecum (C), consistent with epiploic appendagitis. Fig year-old man with acute right lower quadrant pain. xial CT scan shows wall thickening of cecum (C) with pneumatosis (open arrows) and pericecal fat stranding (solid arrows). Loops of small bowel (S) are dilated, consistent with ileus. Surgery confirmed infarction of cecum. Fig year-old woman with fever and acute right abdominal pain., xial CT image shows mass in right abdomen, containing gas and fluid with adjacent fatty stranding (solid arrows) consistent with abscess. Right renal hemorrhagic cyst (open arrows) was noted and confirmed on follow-up sonography (not shown)., xial CT image obtained 1 cm inferior to shows marked wall thickening of short segment of right colon (arrows). Right colonic carcinoma with perforation was confirmed surgically. JR:184, pril

Helical CT of cute RLQ Pain Fig. 15. 45-year-old man with Salmonella ileocolitis. xial CT scan shows thickened cecum (C) and terminal ileum (arrows), with latter mimicking abnormal appendix.

7 Helical CT of cute RLQ Pain Fig year-old man with Salmonella ileocolitis. xial CT scan shows thickened cecum (C) and terminal ileum (arrows), with latter mimicking abnormal appendix. include symmetric bowel wall thickening, mucosal thumbprinting, and pneumatosis coli if infarction occurs (Fig. 13). When these findings are localized to the distal ileum, differentiation from acute appendicitis resulting in reactive changes of the ileum may be difficult, especially if a normal appendix is not visualized. Right Colonic Carcinoma Right colonic carcinoma may present with acute lower abdominal pain, usually due to obstruction or perforation. On helical CT, marked asymmetric colonic wall thickening, short segment involvement, and abrupt change from a normal to an abnormal segment of colon are the key features that help to distinguish this from other entities. However, the diagnosis becomes more challenging and may mimic appendicitis when perforation occurs and results in fat stranding, fluid collections, and abscess formation in the RLQ (Fig. 14). Infectious Ileocolitis Infectious ileocolitis is usually caused by Yersinia, Campylobacter, or Salmonella organisms. The characteristic CT features of infectious ileocolitis include wall thickening of the terminal ileum, cecum, and a portion of the ascending colon (Fig. 15) and enlargement of the mesenteric lymph nodes. Identification of the normal appendix and lack of periappendiceal fat stranding help to exclude appendicitis. References 1. Raman SS, Lu DS, Kadell M, Vodopich DJ, Sayre J, Cryer H. ccuracy of nonfocused helical CT for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis: a 5- year review. JR 2002;178: Jain K, Quam JP, blin DS, Gerscovich EO, Shelton DK. Imaging findings in patients with right lower quadrant pain: alternative diagnoses to appendicitis. J Comput ssist Tomogr 1997;21: Rao PM, Rhea JT, Novelline R, et al. Helical CT technique for the diagnosis of appendicitis: evaluation of a focused appendix CT examination. Radiology 1999;213: Del Campo L, rribas I, Valbuena M, Mate J, Moreno-Otero R. Spiral CT findings in active and remission phases in patients with Crohn disease. J Comput ssist Tomogr 2001;25: Smith RC, Verga M, McCarthy S, Rosenfield T. Diagnosis of acute flank pain: value of unenhanced helical CT. JR 1996;166: Katz DS, Lane ML, Ross, Gold M, rooke JR, Mindelzun RE. Diverticulitis of the right colon revisited. JR 1998;171: Macari M, Hines J, althazar E, Megibow. Mesenteric adenitis: CT diagnosis of primary versus secondary causes, incidence, and clinical significance in pediatric and adult patients. JR 2002; 178: Rioux M, Langis P. Primary epiploic appendagitis: clinical, US, and CT findings in 14 cases. Radiology 1994;191: JR:184, pril 2005

The nontraumatic acute abdomen

CT features of acute appendicitis: pictorial review Marco ntonio Cura, MD The nontraumatic acute abdomen is one of the most common presentations to the emergency room, with appendicitis being one of the