Improving the diagnosis of acute appendicitis with atypical findings by Tc-99m HMPAO leukocyte scan.

Aim: Even with careful observation, the overall false-positive rate of laparotomy remains 10-15% when acute appendicitis was suspected. Therefore, the clinical efficacy of Tc-99m HMPAO labeled leukocyte (TC-WBC) scan for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in patients presenting with atypical clinical findings is assessed.

Patients And Methods: Eighty patients presenting with acute abdominal pain and possible acute appendicitis but atypical findings were included in this study.