COURSE DESCRIPTION
Acute appendicitis is an emergency medical condition that most often effects patients between the ages of 5 and 45 years of age, with men having slightly higher predisposition for developing the condition compared to women, with a lifetime incidence of 8.6% and 6.7%, respectively. Without immediate assessment and treatment, the appendix often ruptures, leading to abdominal peritonitis. Since most patients with possible appendicitis present in emergency situations, it is important that all members of the healthcare team, including sonographers and radiologic technicians, be familiar with how the appendix appears in various radiologic examinations and studies. Sonography is often used to increase diagnostic accuracy in patients who present with atypical symptoms, leading to a decrease in the number of patients who undergo unnecessary appendectomies. Combined with other laboratory tests and physical examinations, the use of sonography to diagnose appendicitis has proven to be an effective imaging strategy for patients with suspected appendicitis. The purpose of this course is to highlight the benefits of using sonography for imaging patients with possible appendicitis, identify how the appendix appears on sonographic images, how best to position patients undergoing this study, and the role that color Doppler and strain elastography also play in managing patients with this disease.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After completing this course, the participant should be able to:

• IDENTIFY the anatomy of the appendix.
• RESTATE the benefits and limitations of sonography for diagnosing appendicitis.
• OUTLINE the clinical and sonographic findings and laboratory test results that are indicative of appendicitis.
• EXPLAIN the sonographic scanning techniques of and the role of color Doppler in imaging the appendix.
• EXPLAIN the role of strain elastography techniques in the evaluation of the appendix.

Category: Ultrasound/Sonography    

In order to receive CE credit, you must first complete the activity content. When completed, go to the "Take CE Test!" link to access the post-test.

Submit the completed answers to determine if you have passed the post-test assessment. You must answer 3 out of 4 questions correctly to receive the CE credit. You will have no more than 3 attempts to successfully complete the post-test.

Participants successfully completing the activity content and passing the post-test will receive 0.5 ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the state of Florida for ARRT Category A credit.

Texas direct credit.

This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities such as Internet courses, home study programs, or directed readings to be repeated for CE credit in the same biennium.