For appendicitis to be diagnosed, the appendix must be greater than how many millimeters in diameter?

The diagnosis of appendicitis typically involves assessing the size of the appendix through imaging studies such as ultrasound or CT scans. A diameter greater than 6 mm is generally considered indicative of appendicitis. This threshold is established based on clinical studies that show that appendices measuring over 6 mm are significantly more likely to be inflamed or obstructed, leading to appendicitis.

In practice, while some variation may exist based on specific clinical guidelines or protocols, the consensus is that an appendix exceeding 6 mm in diameter is a critical measurement that raises concern for appendicitis. The focus on this measurement helps in making a timely and accurate diagnosis, which is important given that untreated appendicitis can lead to complications such as perforation.

Recognizing this dimension aids in distinguishing normal anatomical variations in appendiceal size from pathological states. Thus, the correct threshold for diagnosing appendicitis is widely accepted as being greater than 6 mm.