Authors: Rachel Schooley, SUNY Upstate University Hospital Samuel Kennedy, University of Utah Health Hannah Charland, SUNY Upstate University Hospital
Appendicitis is the most common acute surgical condition of the abdomen and can be expected to affect 12% of men and 25% of women over the course of their lifetimes. Currently, CT is the most efficacious method of diagnosing acute appendicitis. Ultrasound is frequently used as the diagnostic modality of choice in pediatric populations in order to minimize radiation exposure, however, it is not frequently used in adult patients but has the utility to be used in the appropriate patient populations to minimize radiation and expedite care. We evaluated an adult patient who presented with typical symptoms consistent with appendicitis. POCUS was able to quickly identify appendicitis and lead to definitive patient care.