Notably, the decisions to operate based on physical examination only result in a high rate of negative appendectomies [3-5]. A negative appendectomy can lead to severe morbidity and even mortality. Even without complications it is associated with unnecessary disability and costs.
The increasing use of CT has helped to reduce the amount of negative appendectomies. Not all emergency care units have 24-hour availability of CT, whereas in some units, nearly all patients suspected of appendicitis undergo CT [4]. The results of this study indicate, that many of these CT-scans, as well as referrals to units with 24-hour CT, could be avoided using the new scoring system.
In the study hospital CT, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging are available at all times, but are traditionally not frequently used in diagnostics of acute appendicitis.