Acute right lower quadrant pain is a common complaint in the pediatric age group. It is associated with a large number of surgical and nonsurgical conditions. Approximately one half of all children who present with acute right lower quadrant pain will have a final diagnosis of abdominal pain of unknown origin.<sup>35 Siegel M.J., Carel C., Surratt S. Ultrasonography of acute abdominal pain in children JAMA 1991 ;  266 : 1987-1989

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 37 Sivit C.J., Newman K.D., Boenning D.A. , e al. Appendicitis: Usefulness of US in a pediatric population Radiology 1992 ;  185 : 549-552

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> The most frequent surgical diagnosis in children presenting with acute right lower quadrant pain is acute appendicitis.<sup>18 Janik J.S., Firor H.V. Pediatric appendicitis: A twenty-year study of 1640 children at Cook County Hospital Arch Surg 1979 ;  114 : 717-719

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Appendicitis also is the most common condition requiring emergency abdominal surgery in children.<sup>18 Janik J.S., Firor H.V. Pediatric appendicitis: A twenty-year study of 1640 children at Cook County Hospital Arch Surg 1979 ;  114 : 717-719

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Thus, it is typically the primary condition to be ruled out in children presenting with acute right lower quadrant pain.

In this article the imaging evaluation of children with acute right lower quadrant pain is discussed. This includes the rationale for imaging, technique for optimal imaging assessment, and findings at imaging evaluation. The assessment of acute appendicitis is the major focus. The role of imaging in the evaluation of other medical and surgical conditions resulting in acute right lower quadrant pain, however, also is presented.