Diagnostic role of multislice spiral computed tomography combined with clinical manifestations and laboratory tests in acute appendicitis subtypes

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the diagnostic role of multislice spiral CT (MSCT) combined with clinical manifestations and laboratory tests in acute appendicitis subtypes. Patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis were included for retrospective analysis and their clinical manifestations and MSCT signs were analyzed. The clinical manifestations of different subtypes of acute appendicitis, including simple appendicitis, suppurative appendicitis and gangrenous appendicitis, were compared. The clinical manifestations were anorexia in 51.1% of patients, nausea and vomiting in 62.0%, shifting right lower abdominal pain in 51.1%, elevated body temperature in 31.2%, right lower quadrant abdominal tenderness in 91.4%, rebound tenderness in 91.4%, increased white cell count in 89.1%, high neutrophil count in 88.2%, increased appendiceal diameter enlargement in 100%, surrounding exudate in 95.0%, fecal stones in 51.6%, appendiceal wall thickening in 94.6%, lymph node in 82.8% and intestinal stasis in 18.6%. There were statistically significant differences in body temperature and neutrophil percentage among the subtypes of appendicitis and they were lowest in simple appendicitis and highest in gangrenous appendicitis. There were statistically significant differences in appendix diameter and the surrounding exudate among the subtypes of appendicitis and they were lowest in simple appendicitis and highest in gangrenous appendicitis. Clinical manifestations and MSCT signs, especially body temperature, percentage of neutrophils and the surrounding exudate, might have significant diagnostic value in acute appendicitis.