Have we made any determinations on the use of UpToDate for ix/mx @sabicool @alexlewis ?
Does this card mean CT abdomen. I’m not sure if CT angiogram is routinely used to investigate for appendacitis? Additionally, I think in some populations, ultrasound is used first for RIF pain (as per eTG: Ultrasound is preferred for children, young adults and pregnant women)
Yeah i’ve only ever heard of abdo USS being used for appendicitis, and in many cases it goes straight to gen surg if diagnosed clinically. Probs a good example of where UpToDate may be one resource we explicitly don’t include unless not covered in an existing local guideline as it is a bit too US-focussed? @sabicool @alexlewis
@stapedius I think it is worth having this as a card, but I can rewrite it to reflect the improved false positive rate of CT. However, you’re right, it’s not well justified enough to be a “what is the best next step” type card
Agreed @Stapedius. Sometimes CT might be used for surgical planning or for monitoring appendacaecal abscess I think but either way up to date is probably not the best resource for the investigation and diagnosis of appendage
@alexlewis I don’t think it’s routine to ct everyone suspected of having appendicitis, especially if there’s little diagnostic uncertainty about it being appendicitis and the patient is young. Ultrasound is often preferred and can help differentiate with other diagnoses such as ovarian torsion.
I also think you should write CT abdomen not CTA as that implies CT angiography.