Lesson 1Indications and timing for follow-up imaging and use of ultrasound or MRI in equivocal or pregnant patientsThis part reviews when to do repeat scans, how patient changes guide tool choice, and roles of sound waves and MRI in unclear, child, or pregnant cases, balancing good diagnosis, radiation, and contrast safety in local settings.
Clinical triggers for repeat imagingUltrasound technique in suspected appendicitisMRI protocols in pregnancy and pediatricsBalancing radiation risk and diagnostic yieldWhen CT remains necessary in pregnancyLesson 2Antibiotic and perioperative considerations tied to imaging findings (e.g., extent of contamination, abscess)This part links CT results with antibiotic and around-surgery plans, like dirt spread, abscess load, and infection risk, and talks timing of operation, prevention choices, and treatment length based on scan seriousness.
Imaging predictors of severe contaminationAbscess burden and antibiotic spectrumTiming of surgery after source controlCT guidance for postoperative prophylaxisImaging clues to resistant or atypical infectionLesson 3CT features of complicated appendicitis: perforation, phlegmon, localized abscess, free intraperitoneal air, and small-bowel obstructionThis part reviews CT signs of hard appendix swelling, like hole, swelling mass, local pus pocket, free belly air, and small gut block, and how to spot small signs that change how fast and what kind of help is needed.
Direct and indirect signs of perforationDistinguishing phlegmon from abscessDetection of free intraperitoneal airSmall-bowel obstruction related to appendicitisPredictors of postoperative complicationsLesson 4Measurement and characterization of periappendiceal abscesses: size, loculation, gas, and adjacent bowel involvementThis part explains how to measure and describe pus pockets near appendix on CT, like size, sections, gas, and nearby gut links, and how these guide if drain is possible, path, and how urgent in South Sudan facilities.
Standardized abscess size measurementsLoculation, septations, and complexityGas patterns and fistula suspicionAdjacent bowel and organ involvementSelecting candidates for percutaneous drainageLesson 5Contrast-enhanced CT protocols for acute abdomen: oral/IV contrast considerations, phases, and low-dose techniquesThis part details contrast-boosted CT plans for sudden belly pain, covering IV contrast time, oral contrast uses, phase picks, and low-dose ways that keep good images while cutting radiation and contrast risks for patients.
IV contrast timing and injection parametersRole of oral contrast in suspected appendicitisSingle versus multiphasic acquisition choicesLow-dose and iterative reconstruction methodsManaging contrast allergy and renal riskLesson 6Reporting format for abdominal CT in acute appendicitis: concise findings, severity grading, and recommended next stepsThis part shows a planned CT report way for guessed appendix swelling, stressing must-have parts, seriousness levels, clear key notes, and useful suggestions that help fast, right care in emergency departments.
Essential elements of the CT reportStandardized severity grading systemsClear impression and diagnostic certaintyActionable management recommendationsCommunicating critical and unexpected findingsLesson 7Interventional radiology and surgical decision-making: indications for percutaneous drainage vs. appendectomy vs. antibiotics-first strategiesThis part explains how CT results affect picking antibiotics only, needle drain, or surgery, stressing pus size, blood infection, other health issues, and team talks between scan, surgery, and procedure groups.
CT criteria for antibiotics-first therapyIndications for percutaneous abscess drainageWhen urgent appendectomy is preferredImaging predictors of treatment failurePost-procedure imaging and complication checksLesson 8Primary CT findings of acute appendicitis: appendiceal diameter, wall thickening/enhancement, periappendiceal fat strandingThis part describes main CT signs of sudden appendix swelling, like tube width, wall thick/boost, and fat changes around, and explains measure ways and traps that look like or hide the sickness.
Measuring appendiceal diameter accuratelyAssessing wall thickening and enhancementCharacterizing periappendiceal fat strandingLuminal obstruction, fecalith, and fluidCommon pitfalls and normal variantsLesson 9CT anatomy of the right lower quadrant: appendix variants, cecum, terminal ileum, mesoappendix, and adjacent structuresThis part reviews right lower belly structure on CT, like start of large gut, end small gut, appendix holder, and blood marks, and notes common appendix spots and changes that affect finding, reading, and surgery plans.
Identifying the cecum and ileocecal valveLocating the normal appendix on CTRetrocecal and pelvic appendix positionsMesoappendix, vessels, and lymph nodesCongenital and postsurgical anatomic variantsLesson 10Differentiating appendicitis from mimics: terminal ileitis, Meckel diverticulitis, Crohn disease, epiploic appendagitis, right-sided diverticulitisThis part focuses on CT signs that tell appendix swelling from look-alikes, like end gut swelling, Meckel pouch swelling, Crohn gut disease, fat tag swelling, and right side pouch swelling, stressing wall look, place, and fat shifts.
Terminal ileitis versus appendicitis on CTCrohn disease activity in the right lower quadrantCT signs of Meckel diverticulitisRecognizing epiploic appendagitisRight-sided colonic diverticulitis features
