Imaging Possible Appendicitis with CT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A feasibility randomised control trial to evaluate the role of computed tomography in patients with indeterminate right iliac fossa pain
IRAS ID
159714
Contact name
Rhys Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Background\n\nPain in the right lower abdomen is one of the commonest reasons patients present to general surgeons as an emergency. Whether or not such patients have appendicitis is crucial to their assessment. In UK practice, when the diagnosis is unclear, ultrasound scanning (US) is commonly used to investigate the problem. US is very safe but it will only visualise the appendix in the minority of cases. As a result, the sensitivity for diagnosing appendicitis in this setting is probably only 5-30%.\n\nAlternatively, computed tomography (CT) is an accurate way of diagnosing appendicitis in over 90% of cases. CT scans are readily available and with modern scanners, high quality images can be achieved with lower radiation doses. Unenhanced scanning avoids the use of contrast media and permits further reductions in ionising radiation exposure.\n\nAim\n\nThe aim of the current study is to assess the feasibility of a trial to evaluate targeted, unenhanced CT scanning in the first line investigation of equivocal right iliac fossa pain in a large UK hospital. \n\nThe trial design will involve the randomisation of 66 adult patients into two groups, so as to compare US with CT.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0491
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion