Advantages of focused helical computed tomographic scanning with rectal contrast only vs triple contrast in the diagnosis of clinically uncertain acute appendicitis: a prospective randomized study.

Hypothesis: Focused helical computed tomographic (CT) scanning with rectal contrast only is a superior diagnostic modality compared with the traditional triple-contrast CT scan for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

Design: Prospective randomized analysis of both CT scan modalities.

Interventions: Only patients with uncertain diagnosis of acute appendicitis were entered in the study.