Appendicular abscess MRI

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Ganti M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the common technique for diagnosing appendicitis in children and pregnant patients.

MRI

MRI usage has become investigation of choice in the diagnosis of appendicular abscess for children and pregnant patients because of ^[1]

Low risk of radiation in children and developing fetus.
The enlarged uterus displaces the appendix during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, making it difficult to find by ultrasound. An MRI is therefore preferred.

On an MRI, a periappendiceal stranding appears as an increased fluid signal on the T2 weighted sequence (while it is reflected by fat stranding on a CT scan).^[1]

Axial T2-Weighted MRI demonstrates a dilated fluid filled appendix with periappendiceal fat stranding and two appendicoliths (dark signal within the appendix lumen).^[1]

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 Image courtesy of Radiologypics. Radiologypics

[rad1-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 Image courtesy of Radiologypics. Radiologypics

[1]