Retrospective Evaluation of Ileocolic Artery and Vein Diameters according to Body Mass Index in the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis on Multislice Computerized Tomography

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of the increasement in the ileocolic artery and vein diameters considering the body mass index (BMIs) of the patients with acute appendicitis. METHODS: Between January 2016 and April 2019, 76 patients who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis by contrast-enhanced abdominal multislice computerized tomography (MSCT) and had histopathologically confirmed appendicitis after an appendectomy were included in this study. To evaluate the value of MSCT, we created a control group, which consisted of 81 patients who had contrast-enhanced MSCT for other reasons and had no clinical and radiological findings suspicious for acute appendicitis and also had no other abdominal pathology that might interfere with ileocolic artery and vein diameter. In both groups, ileocolic artery and vein diameters were measured in axial MSCT scan. The body mass index was calculated for each patient (kg/m(2)). Both groups were divided into three subgroups according to the BMI of patients (20-24.9; 25-29.9 and more than 30). Both groups and subgroups were compared individually. Statistical significance level was accepted as p <0.05. RESULTS: Ileocolic artery and vein diameters were higher in the patient group than control group, which was statistically significant (p<0.001), and a positive correlation was found between BMI and ileocolic artery and vein diameters (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Ileocolic artery and vein diameters with taking BMI into consideration can be used as alternative criteria in the suspicion of acute appendicitis in adults.