Sonographic diagnosis of periappendicular abscess in pregnancy.

The diagnosis of appendicitis in pregnancy is complex because of altered maternal physiology and anatomy, and definitive therapy is often delayed. Ultrasonic screening is important in either diagnosing or excluding many pathologic conditions that complicate pregnancy and present a clinical picture similar to that of appendicitis. Reported here is a case in which a periappendicular abscess due to a perforated appendix was diagnosed by sonographic screening.