Exams and Tests

Appendicitis is diagnosed with a medical history, physical examination, lab tests, and sometimes imaging tests. Appendicitis can be difficult to diagnose, especially in children, pregnant women, and older people.

Medical history

The doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms, including the order in which your symptoms appeared and what was happening before the pain began.

Physical exam

The doctor will push on different parts of your belly to see where the pain is. The doctor will probably focus on the lower right quadrant, where most people feel pain when they have appendicitis.

The doctor may insert a gloved finger into your anus (digital rectal exam) to help identify the cause of your pain. Women may have a pelvic exam to help rule out other problems.

Lab tests

There is no specific lab test for appendicitis. But your doctor probably will do a complete blood count (CBC) to look for signs of infection.

The doctor also may do a urine test to make sure that a urinary tract infection or kidney stone is not causing the problem. A woman may have a pregnancy test to make sure she is not pregnant.

Imaging tests

A CT scan may be used when a diagnosis of appendicitis is uncertain. CT is more accurate than ultrasound in diagnosing appendicitis.

Ultrasound can be used to take pictures of the appendix. Ultrasound is used more with pregnant women who cannot have a CT scan. It also may be used with children when their symptoms are not obvious. But the appendix cannot always be seen with an ultrasound.