ĐẶC ĐIỂM HÌNH ẢNH RUỘT THỪA BÌNH THƯỜNG TRÊN CẮT LỚP VI TÍNH BỤNG

SUMMARY

Aims: To describe the morphology of normal appendix on abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT).

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on all patients ≥ 18 years who underwent abdominal CECT for various indications from 04/2019 to 07/2020. Exclusion criteria include previous history of appendiceal diseases, appendicectomy, clinical manifestations suspected appendicitis, and other gastrointestinal-related comorbidities. All appendiceal morphology (length, diameter, wall thickness, intraluminal contents, location of base and tip) were documented.

Results: 186 patients (54.8% male) with the mean age of 51.6 ± 13.4 years were enrolled in the analysis. The mean maximal diameter, mean length and mean wall thickness of the appendices were 6.7 ± 1.3 (range, 3.6 – 11.7 mm), 82.1 ± 24.8 (range, 20.5 – 138.2 mm) and 2.1 ± 0.4, respectively. The mean diameter measured on axial view was significantly lower than that of on coronal view (p <0.05). Appendicoliths were identified in 5.9% of cases. The most common locations of the appendiceal tip were subcecal and retrocecal (22.6% each).

Conclusion: A new threshold should be proposed, clinical manifestations and multi morphological factors correlation are strongly recommended when diagnosing appendicitis on CECT. Normal appendices can contain air, fluid and appendicolith with an incidence that varies among individuals.

Keywords: normal appendix, computed tomography, appendix location.