Research Article

The Relationship between Appendix Visibility on Non-Contrast Computed Tomography and Visceral Obesity: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Volume: 7 Number: 3 September 28, 2026
TR EN

The Relationship between Appendix Visibility on Non-Contrast Computed Tomography and Visceral Obesity: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the visibility of the appendix on non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) in patients with high visceral obesity, thereby reducing the need for intravenous (IV) contrast. 

Methods: The study population consists of adult patients who underwent NCCT imaging at a tertiary hospital between January 2021 and January 2022. The data were collected from electronic medical records and imaging databases, including age, gender, CT findings, and visceral fat area (VFA) measurement. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Spearman's rho test, and logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis. 

Results: In this study of 1562 patients (720 female, 842 male), we examined the relationship between appendix visibility, age, and visceral obesity. The appendix was visualized in 1390 patients (89%) and could not be marked in 172 patients (11%). We found that appendix visualization was significantly higher in patients with a high visceral fat area (VFA > 130) compared to those with a low VFA (p < 0.001). 

Conclusions: The results highlight the potential importance of considering appendix visibility as a radiological consequence of visceral obesity. NCCT will be useful for visualizing the appendix in patients with high VFA and may reduce the need for IV contrast.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

none.

Ethical Statement

The Ethics Committee of of clinical research of Ankara Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital approved the present study (AESH-EK1-2023-225).

Thanks

none

References

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  4. 4. Zacharzewska-Gondek A, Szczurowska A, Guziński M et al. A pictorial essay of the most atypical variants of the vermiform appendix position in computed tomography with their possible clinical implications. Pol J Radiol. 2019 Jan 4;84:e1-e8.
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  6. 6. Pinto Leite N, Pereira JM, Cunha R et al. CT evaluation of appendicitis and its complications: imaging techniques and key diagnostic findings. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2005 Aug;185(2):406-17.
  7. 7. Sauvain MO, Tschirky S, Patak MA et al. Acute appendicitis in overweight patients: the role of preoperative imaging. Patient Saf Surg. 2016 May 17;10:13.
  8. 8. Quadri R, Vasan V, Hester C et al. Comprehensive review of typical and atypical pathology of the appendix on CT: cases with clinical implications. Clinical Imaging. 2019 Jan 1;53:65-77.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Radiology and Organ Imaging

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 28, 2026

Submission Date

July 21, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 20, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 3

APA
Soyer Güldoğan, E., Akdağ, T., Özbal, S., Aktürk, Y., Güldoğan, C., & Hekimoğlu, B. (2026). The Relationship between Appendix Visibility on Non-Contrast Computed Tomography and Visceral Obesity: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study. Experimental and Applied Medical Science, 7(3), 205-219. https://doi.org/10.46871/eams.2000463
AMA
1.Soyer Güldoğan E, Akdağ T, Özbal S, Aktürk Y, Güldoğan C, Hekimoğlu B. The Relationship between Appendix Visibility on Non-Contrast Computed Tomography and Visceral Obesity: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study. Exp Appl Med Sci. 2026;7(3):205-219. doi:10.46871/eams.2000463
Chicago
Soyer Güldoğan, Esra, Tuba Akdağ, Serra Özbal, Yeliz Aktürk, Cem Güldoğan, and Baki Hekimoğlu. 2026. “The Relationship Between Appendix Visibility on Non-Contrast Computed Tomography and Visceral Obesity: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study”. Experimental and Applied Medical Science 7 (3): 205-19. https://doi.org/10.46871/eams.2000463.
EndNote
Soyer Güldoğan E, Akdağ T, Özbal S, Aktürk Y, Güldoğan C, Hekimoğlu B (September 1, 2026) The Relationship between Appendix Visibility on Non-Contrast Computed Tomography and Visceral Obesity: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study. Experimental and Applied Medical Science 7 3 205–219.
IEEE
[1]E. Soyer Güldoğan, T. Akdağ, S. Özbal, Y. Aktürk, C. Güldoğan, and B. Hekimoğlu, “The Relationship between Appendix Visibility on Non-Contrast Computed Tomography and Visceral Obesity: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study”, Exp Appl Med Sci, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 205–219, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.46871/eams.2000463.
ISNAD
Soyer Güldoğan, Esra - Akdağ, Tuba - Özbal, Serra - Aktürk, Yeliz - Güldoğan, Cem - Hekimoğlu, Baki. “The Relationship Between Appendix Visibility on Non-Contrast Computed Tomography and Visceral Obesity: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study”. Experimental and Applied Medical Science 7/3 (September 1, 2026): 205-219. https://doi.org/10.46871/eams.2000463.
JAMA
1.Soyer Güldoğan E, Akdağ T, Özbal S, Aktürk Y, Güldoğan C, Hekimoğlu B. The Relationship between Appendix Visibility on Non-Contrast Computed Tomography and Visceral Obesity: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study. Exp Appl Med Sci. 2026;7:205–219.
MLA
Soyer Güldoğan, Esra, et al. “The Relationship Between Appendix Visibility on Non-Contrast Computed Tomography and Visceral Obesity: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study”. Experimental and Applied Medical Science, vol. 7, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 205-19, doi:10.46871/eams.2000463.
Vancouver
1.Esra Soyer Güldoğan, Tuba Akdağ, Serra Özbal, Yeliz Aktürk, Cem Güldoğan, Baki Hekimoğlu. The Relationship between Appendix Visibility on Non-Contrast Computed Tomography and Visceral Obesity: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study. Exp Appl Med Sci. 2026 Sep. 1;7(3):205-19. doi:10.46871/eams.2000463

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