CT scans are the diagnostic test of choice for detecting appendicitis. Findings on CT scan suggestive of appendicitis include appendicial wall thickening along with peri-appendiceal inflammation.

CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of appendicitis. A properly performed CT scan with modern equipment has a detection rate of over 95%. Findings on CT scan suggestive of appendicitis include:^[1]

• Increase in appendiceal lumen with the outer-wall-to-outer-wall transverse diameter greater than 6 mm.^[2]
• Appendiceal wall thickening (wall ≥ 3mm)^[3]
  • Appendiceal wall hyperenhancement
  • Mural stratification of the appendiceal wall
• Periappendiceal inflammation includes:^[3]
  • Periappendiceal fat stranding
  • Thickening of the lateral conal fascia, and mesoappendix
  • Extraluminal fluid
  • Phlegmon
  • Abscess
  • Ileocecal mild lymph node enlargement
  • Inflammatory thickening of contiguous structures