Sonographic appearance of the normal appendix in children

Abstract

In the majority of the children, the appendix can be visualized with US. Age, weight, and height affect the visualization rate of the normal appendix.

Appendiceal diameter as a predictor of appendicitis in children: improved diagnosis with three diagnostic categories derived from a logistic predictive model

“…Terms reflective of patient demographics (age, gender, height and weight) were not included in the model as prior sonographic studies have shown no diameter dependence on these variables [12,13]. The proposed 3-category interpretive scheme was defined based on the shape of the predictive curve generated by the model.…”

The challenging ultrasound diagnosis of perforated appendicitis in children: constellations of sonographic findings improve specificity

“…The perforated appendix can decompress and lose its integrity such that it cannot be reliably identified. US visualization of the normal appendix can also be difficult, with reported rates ranging from 2.4% to 86.2% [8][9][10][11][12][13]. The diagnosis of perforated appendicitis can be particularly challenging when the appendix is not visualized, which can occur in the setting of both perforated appendicitis and a normal appendix.…”

Ultrasound assessment of acute appendicitis in paediatric patients: methodology and pictorial overview of findings seen

“…A normal appendix should measure 6 mm or less in diameter from outside wall to outside wall. It should have a thin wall (less than 3 mm), be empty or gas/faecal-filled and compressible, and there should be no evidence of hypervascularisation [23–26].

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“…There are varying rates quoted in the literature for the appendix being seen, between 24.4 % and 69.3 % [6, 13, 23]. In this situation, it is important to actively assess for the secondary features often seen which may help direct further management.…”