Role of CT Scan in Diagnosing Acute Appendicitis: Accuracy and Outcomes
1Dr Reeta Rani, 2Dr Muhammad Naeem, 3Prof. Dr. Anjum Rehman,4Dr Jamal Hussain, 5Khizer Javed, 6Hammad Murad
Submission: 02 February 2026 | Acceptance: 09 March 2020 | Publication: 02 April 2026,
1Associate Professor Daignostic Radiology Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical College Lyari Karachi.
2Ophthalmology, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar LRH
3Gynecologist, Shaheed Mohtarma Banezir Bhutto Medical College Lyari general hospital Karachi
4Assistant professor ophthalmology swat medical college and swat medical complex
5PIMS Islamabad
6UHS Lahore
Abstract
Background
Emergency abdominal surgery frequently results from acute appendicitis, and prompt identification is essential to prevent complications like perforation, abscess formation, and needless procedures. Although computed tomography (CT) has become a crucial imaging modality for precise diagnosis, its impact on clinical outcomes and diagnostic performance is still being assessed.
Objective
To evaluate contrast-enhanced CT’s clinical results, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy in patients with suspected acute appendicitis.
Methods
Over the course of a year, 200 patients with clinically suspected appendicitis participated in a cross-sectional study at [Hospital Name]. Every patient had a contrast-enhanced CT scan of their pelvis and abdomen. CT results were compared with clinical follow-up for patients treated non-operatively and with histology for patients who had appendectomies. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and total accuracy were among the diagnostic performance indicators that were computed. Alternative diagnosis and complications found on CT were also noted.
Results
155 out of 200 individuals had positive CT scans for appendicitis. In 145 out of 150 patients who underwent surgery, appendicitis was verified by histopathology, and in 10 out of 50 patients who were not treated surgically, appendicitis was proven by clinical follow-up. CT had an overall diagnostic accuracy of 95%, with sensitivity and specificity of 96.8% and 88.9%, respectively. 35 patients had problems identified by CT, including appendicolith (17.5%), peri-appendiceal abscess (5%), and perforation (7.5%). Twelve individuals had alternative diagnoses, avoiding needless procedures.
Conclusions
For acute appendicitis, contrast-enhanced CT is a very accurate diagnostic technique that greatly lowers the rate of negative appendectomy results and directs the proper course of treatment. It contributes to better patient outcomes by accurately identifying problems and alternative diagnosis. When an adult patient has suspected acute appendicitis, CT should be the preferred imaging modality.
Keywords
Acute appendicitis; Computed tomography; Diagnostic accuracy; Sensitivity; Specificity; Complications; Clinical outcomes