The Lack Of Efficacy For Oral Contrast In The Diagnosis Of Appendicitis By Computed Tomography

Multi-Detector Row CT of Acute Non-traumatic Abdominal Pain: Contrast and Protocol Considerations

“…In a recent large study analyzing the effects of oral contrast, it was found that in nearly 20% of patients with appendicitis, the administration of oral contrast material induced emesis, and nasogastric tubes were place in more than 5% of patients for the administration of oral contrast. 6 Given a similar diagnostic accuracy in diagnosing appendicitis between CT scans performed with or without oral contrast in this particular study, the authors concluded that the rates of emesis and nasogastric tube placement in this patient population support the discontinuation of the use of oral contrast in patients with suspected appendicitis. Finally, a recent study evaluated the radiation dose of abdominopelvic CT scans using automatic exposure control and compared patients administered positive oral contrast versus those administered water as the oral contrast agent.…”