How is appendicitis diagnosed?
Appendicitis is diagnosed based upon the patient’s symptoms, a physical examination (including a rectal examination), blood tests to check for signs of infection (such as a high white blood cell count), and a urine test to rule out a urinary tract infection. Some doctors may conduct chest X-rays, because pneumonia in the lower right lung can cause pain similar to appendicitis. An ultrasound may also be done to determine if the appendix appears to be inflamed.