HomeAnswersInternal Medicineappendicitis

Could CT scan miss appendicitis?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I was in an emergency last night because of 48 hours of pain that moved to my right lower abdomen. Also, I am not eating, and I have severe diarrhea if I do. They said my white blood cells were a bit elevated. The CT scan without contrast did not show an inflamed appendix. Now it is the next day, and the pain is still there along with a burning kind of feel. What could be the problem? Can a CT scan miss appendicitis?
Answered by Dr. Salah Saad Hassan Shoman

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Salah Saad Hassan Shoman is a General Medicine Specialist. He can diagnose and treat a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions. He can manage lifestyle disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. He can provide preventive healthcare, health screenings, and immunizations. He can provide patient counseling on nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being. He can provide interpretation of diagnostic tests and laboratory reports. He help to manage respiratory, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular diseases.  

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

  • CT scan could not miss a case of appendicitis unless the medical personnel who viewed the CT scan were not qualified enough for correct interpretation of the scan.
  • Crohn's disease if accompanied by severe diarrhea and no fever.
  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm, but should have appeared in CT scan. Please send me a picture of the CT scan to confirm the diagnosis.

Revert with the photo to an internal medicine physician online.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Is the CT 100% accurate? When should I seek medical care if this continues?

Answered by Dr. Salah Saad Hassan Shoman

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Salah Saad Hassan Shoman is a General Medicine Specialist. He can diagnose and treat a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions. He can manage lifestyle disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. He can provide preventive healthcare, health screenings, and immunizations. He can provide patient counseling on nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being. He can provide interpretation of diagnostic tests and laboratory reports. He help to manage respiratory, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular diseases.  

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

  • Yes, CT scan is very accurate for diagnosis of appendicitis.
  • You should seek medical care if there is a fever of above 101 degrees, stool that contains blood or mucus, blood in urine, vomiting of blood, pain spreading to back or groin, painful urination or persistent nausea and vomiting.

For further information consult an internal medicine physician online.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At March 17, 2017
Reviewed At April 20, 2025

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Salah Saad Hassan Shoman is a General Medicine Specialist. He can diagnose and treat a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions. He can manage lifestyle disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. He can provide preventive healthcare, health screenings, and immunizations. He can provide patient counseling on nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being. He can provide interpretation of diagnostic tests and laboratory reports. He help to manage respiratory, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular diseases.  

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

2,134Checks completed today
4.7/5User rating
~2 minAverage completion time
Evidence-basedGuideline aligned
Symptom Awareness Builder
Acute Appendicitis vs. Other Abdominal Pain Symptom Awareness Builder

Concerned about appendicitis?

Five quick questions help you understand if your abdominal pain is typical, worth mentioning to your doctor, or warrants an urgent call.

Private and judgment-free. For guidance only, not a diagnosis.
Dr. Salah Saad Hassan Shoman
Dr. Salah Saad Hassan Shoman

Internal Medicine

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Salah Saad Hassan Shoman is a General Medicine Specialist. He can diagnose and treat a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions. He can manage lifestyle disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. He can provide preventive healthcare, health screenings, and immunizations. He can provide patient counseling on nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being. He can provide interpretation of diagnostic tests and laboratory reports. He help to manage respiratory, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular diseases.  

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
Listen to related tracks in our music library

Related Questions

Are my symptoms pointing towards Crohn's disease?

Please suggest an antibiotic for recurrent urinary tract infection.

A Patient's Guide to Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

How to reduce the symptoms of IBS?

Please suggest some ayurveda medicine for IBS.

What is the treatment for Crohn's disease?

Comprehensive Second Opinion

Read answers about:

irritable bowel syndromect abdomenappendicitis

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Internal Medicine

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.