A 35-year-old male presents with right lower quadrant abdominal pain, anorexia, and localized tenderness at McBurney point. What is the most definitive diagnostic test in adult males when clinical diagnosis is uncertain?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT)
- Step 1: Clinical picture suggests acute appendicitis.
- Step 2: In adults, contrast-enhanced CT has the highest sensitivity () and specificity () for detecting appendiceal inflammation and complications.
Answer
Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT).
Why not the others: Plain X-ray has low diagnostic yield; colonoscopy is contraindicated in acute appendicitis due to perforation risk; inflammatory markers are non-specific.
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