Imaging findings in patients with-right lower quadrant pain: alternative diagnoses to appendicitis

J Comput Assist Tomogr. 1997 Sep-Oct;21(5):693-8. doi: 10.1097/00004728-199709000-00003.

Abstract

Patients with right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain referred for imaging studies with a clinical diagnosis of appendicitis may have other pathologic conditions mimicking appendicitis. Appropriate diagnostic imaging may establish other specific diagnoses and thereby play a significant role in determining proper medical or surgical treatment. In this pictorial essay, we present a spectrum of imaging findings in patients whose clinical features were suggestive of appendicitis, but the diagnoses of a broad spectrum of other diseases were established with the imaging studies. The differential diagnoses of diseases mimicking appendicitis are reviewed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / diagnosis*
  • Abdominal Pain / surgery
  • Appendicitis / diagnosis*
  • Appendicitis / surgery
  • Cecal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cecal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Cholecystitis / diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Imaging*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Diseases / diagnosis
  • Ovarian Diseases / diagnosis
  • Patient Care Planning
  • Peptic Ulcer Perforation / diagnosis
  • Ureteral Calculi / diagnosis