What is the average length of the appendix

Large appendixes have been reported in the medical literature, mostly outside of radiology. One of the first was reported in by F. He discovered a cm-long appendix in a cadaver. He underwent an appendectomy, which revealed a The Collins study was one of the largest studies to evaluate appendixes but in the final report there was no assessment of the variability in size of the appendix. In , a case report of a year- old man with a 28 cm, torsed and necrotic appendix was reported.

The tip of the appendix had reached the subhepatic area. He underwent a mesh plug hernia repair with an appendectomy. The previous case reports focus on cases of large appendixes found on surgery or at autopsy. The vast majority lack diagnostic imaging results. The classic CT findings of nonperforated acute appendicitis include appendiceal wall thickening and dilatation, periappendiceal inflammatory changes, wall hyperemia, and nonfilling with enteric contrast.

Furthermore, previous radiological literature has described the importance of recognizing atypical anatomical variants on CT scans of the appendix in order to appropriately diagnose appendicitis. Various pitfalls have been discussed, including variable appendiceal location, congenital abnormalities such as malrotation , and the interference of coexisting pathologies. Therefore, our case depicts the importance of recognizing that a markedly enlarged appendix may be a normal anatomic variant.

The myriad appearances of the appendix can make diagnosis of acute appendicitis challenging. Our case is unique compared to other prior case reports as our patient is a living, healthy, middle-age patient with an extraordinarily large, non-inflamed appendix.

Therefore, this unusually wide mega appendix is felt to be a normal anatomic variant. Familiarity with such an atypical appearance can allow for a more accurate diagnostic approach, help prevent the erroneous diagnosis of acute appendicitis, and help avoid unnecessary procedures.

Radiological Case: Mega appendix. Appl Radiol. Clinical Departments Radiological Case: Mega appendix. Principles of surgery. New York: McGraw-Hill; Changing epidemiology of acute appendicitis in the United States: Study period — J Surg Res.

Pitfalls in the CT diagnosis of appendicitis. Brit J Radiol. Helical CT technique for the diagnosis of appendicitis: Prospective evaluation of a focused appendix CT examination.

Making the diagnosis of acute appendicitis: Do more preoperative CT scans mean fewer negative appendectomies? A year study. CT appearance of the normal appendix in adults. Eur Radiol. Alzaraa A, Sunil Chaudhry. An unusually long appendix in a child: A case report. Cases Journal. Kelly HA, Hurdon E. Position and length of the vermiform appendix among males and females. Figure 2. Position of the appendix arrow. Table 3. Distance from the anterior superior iliac spine to the base of the appendix.

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