BCPoCUS - BC Point of Care Ultrasound

BC Point of Care Ultrasound

Your go-to resource for point-of-care ultrasound rapid summaries and videos.

Appendix

Rapid Summary
Rapid Summary

When to Scan:

Patients presenting with RLQ pain and:

  • Rebound tenderness
  • Fever
  • Leukocytosis
  • Anorexia
  • Nausea and vomiting
5 Minute Video

Where to put the probe:

IMG_1200

• Linear or curvilinear probe
• Start transverse in the RUQ
• Follow the bumpy gas pattern of the ascending colon inferior
• Then rotate 90 degrees and slide medial

Patients presenting with RLQ pain and:

  • Rebound tenderness
  • Fever
  • Leukocytosis
  • Anorexia
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Linear or curvilinear probe
  • Start transverse in the RUQ
  • Follow the bumpy gas pattern of the ascending colon inferior
  • Then rotate 90 degrees and slide medial
IMG_1200

Findings

The normal appendix is rarely seen:

• <6mm AP diameter
• Partially compressible
• No peristalsis
• Blind ended

Appendicitis:
• >8mm AP diameter (6-8mm borderline)
• Non-compressible
• No peristalsis
• Blind-ended
• Point of maximal tenderness with suspected inflamed appendix in view

Measure diameter of bowel wall (not edema):

* May see appendicolith shadow
* May see free fluid if ruptured

Back to top