Could CT scan miss appendicitis?

Question

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?

Answer 1

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.

However, the other causes of right lower abdomen pain may be any one of the following. It could be due to irritable bowel syndrome since you have diarrhea and the pain is aggravated by eating. It can be treated by antispasmodic tablets.

Urinary tract infection, if accompanied by burning or pain while urinating. It can be treated by anwithbiotics.

Crohn's disease if accompanied by severe diarrhea and no fever.

Kidney or ureteric stone, if pain is accompanied by nausea. It can get diagnosed by pelvic ultrasound.

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.

Answer 2

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.