Question

A 7-year-old boy presents with right lower quadrant abdominal pain, fever and localised tenderness with guarding. Appendicitis is suspected. What is the preferred first-line imaging modality in children?

Accepted Answer

Abdominal ultrasound

Answer

CT abdomen with contrast

Answer

MRI abdomen

Answer

Plain abdominal X-ray

Answer

No imaging; proceed directly to laparoscopy in all cases

Practice question

A 7-year-old boy presents with right lower quadrant abdominal pain, fever and localised tenderness with guarding. Appendicitis is suspected. What is the preferred first-line imaging modality in children?