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Correspondence
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Volume 358:972-973 February 28, 2008 Number 9
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Effect of CT on False Positive Diagnosis of Appendicitis and Perforation

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To the Editor: Acute appendicitis is one of the most common reasons for acute abdomen and the most common indication for emergency abdominal surgery in the United States.1 Surgeons have traditionally accepted up to a 20% rate of false positive diagnosis of acute appendicitis in order to minimize morbidity associated with a missed diagnosis. In clinical practice, the reported rate of false positive diagnosis of appendicitis among women has been as high as 42%.2 Several studies,3 including our own,4 have suggested that when used appropriately, preoperative computed tomography (CT) involving a variety of techniques improves outcomes in patients with clinically . . . [Full Text of this Article]



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