Contrast-enhanced multidetector-row computed tomography can predict pathological findings of acute appendicitis in children

Aims: To retrospectively evaluate the correlation between multidetector-row computed tomography findings of acute appendicitis and the pathological status of acute appendicitis, and evaluate the capability of multidetector-row computed tomography to predict the pathological status of acute appendicitis in children. Methods: The presence of a distended appendix (> 6 mm in transverse diameter) was used as a primary sign to indicate the presence of appendiceal inflammation. The presence of appendiceal wall thickening (> 1 mm) and enhanced appendiceal wall continuity were also used as predictive findings to reflect the degree of progression of acute appendicitis on multidetector-row computed tomography findings. The findings of each individual case were classified into four grades. The final pathological diagnosis was classified into four groups: normal findings, only mucosal inflammation, inflammation with intramural spreading, and gangrenous. The relationship between the pathological grades and computed tomography grades was analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation test. Results: Four of six cases in Grade 0 reflected normal appendiceal findings (66.7%) and 3 of 5 cases in Grade I reflected only mucosal inflammation status (60.0%). Forty-four of 51 cases in Grade II reflected intramural inflammation status (86.3%), and 40 of 57 cases in Grade III reflected gangrenous status (70.2%). The multidetector-row computed tomography grade was significantly correlated to the pathological grade with Spearman's rank correlation coefficient of 0.689 (P < 0.001). Conclusions: There was a close relationship between the multidetector-row computed tomography imaging findings and the pathological findings. This preoperative information is extremely useful for decision-making in the treatment strategy for acute appendicitis in children.