Are imaging procedures necessary for diagnosing appendicitis?

Abstract

Diagnostic imaging is being increasingly used in the assessment of acute non-traumatic abdominal pain. Ultrasound and computed tomography investigations are of great value in patients with suspected appendicitis. Computed tomography seems to have a higher sensitivity than ultrasound and a high specificity. Both of them are most useful in patients who have an indeterminate probability of disease after the initial evaluation.

From clinical studies it can be concluded that there is no proven benefit of routine ultrasound scanning of the appendix in patients with suspected acute appendicitis.