Emergency Department CT Scanning for Appendicitis

Emergency Department CT Scanning for Appendicitis: IV Contrast vs. IV and Oral Contrast

The purpose of this study is to compare IV contrast only vs. IV and oral contrast Computed Tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in adult patients in our emergency department. A secondary purpose will be to design a specific CT for appendicitis protocol at our institution at the conclusion of this study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years and older who present to the York Hospital Emergency Department with signs and symptoms suggestive of acute appendicitis, but in whom the diagnosis remains unclear as determined by an attending emergency physician or consulting surgeon and in which a CT scan is needed to further assist in the diagnosis

Exclusion Criteria:

• pregnant patients
• patients with known IV dye or oral contrast allergy
• patients in whom acute appendicitis is not the primary diagnosis
• patients with renal insufficiency that may have significant adverse effect from IV dye