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MRI: Imaging Technique of Choice to Exam Pregnant Patients with Possible Appendicitis

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) gives physicians a safe and accurate tool for the diagnosis of appendicitis in pregnant patients without the increased risks of radiation to the patient and fetus, according to a study performed at the University of Virginia, in Charlottesville, VA. “Appendicitis is the most common cause of right lower quadrant pain in the pregnant patient that requires emergent surgical intervention. It occurs in approximately one in 1500 pregnancies,” said Chris Ho, MD, lead author of the study.

Researchers performed an analysis of 16 patients and evaluated studies performed specifically for pregnant patients with right lower quadrant pain over a two year period at their institution. “Approximately 33% of the examinations were positive or highly suggestive of appendicitis. Of those positive studies, 80% were confirmed at surgery and pathology to have acute appendicitis. Over this period we were approximately 94% accurate in correctly diagnosing the presence or absence of appendicitis using MRI,” said Dr. Ho.

“A pregnant uterus can hamper a physician’s physical examination as the appendix can move into uncommon locations as pregnancy progresses, making the diagnosis of “classic” appendicitis difficult. Consequently, imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis,” said Dr. Ho. “CT has been shown to be very accurate in the diagnosis of appendicitis, but many consider the radiation risk to the fetus to outweigh the benefit of the scan. Ultrasound carries no radiation risk, but imaging the appendix is often unsuccessful in the non-pregnant patient and even more difficult in the pregnant patient,” he said.

“The biggest advantage of using MR is the lack of radiation exposure to both the mother and fetus. We feel that, given its advantages, MRI will become the diagnostic imaging study of choice in the pregnant patient with suspected appendicitis,” said Dr. Ho.

-- News release courtesy of The American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS)