Ultrasonic diagnosis of acute appendicitis

Abstract

Background: Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical abdominal emergency. The diagnosis is suspected and performed primarily on the basis of clinical findings. Sometimes presentation is so difficult that even the most experienced surgeon may miss the diagnosis. Lack of early diagnosis results in perforation and its complications. Although ultrasound is frequently used to diagnose acute appendicitis, the accuracy of this imaging test remains unclear because of a great variability in the reported performance. Aim of the study: to evaluate the benefit of ultrasonic in diagnosis for acute appendicitis patients and methods: Between Jan. 2014 and Jan. 2015, we collected 91 patients (male 56, 61.54%, female 35, 38.46%) their ages range from 7 to 50 years with clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis they were sent to ultrasonic studying in radiological department to confirm diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Results: Ultrasonic study was performed for a total 91 patients, in 59 patients was positive (64.84%), 39 was male & 20 was female, 32 patients was negative (35.16%), 17 patients were males & 15 patients were females (ultrasonic diagnosis of appendicitis). Sensitivity was 76.39%, specificity was 78.95%. Accuracy rate was 76.92%, the positive predictive value was 93.22% & negative predictive value was 46.87%.
Conclusion: Ultrasonic imaging can be performed before surgery for suspected acute appendicitis. Ultrasonic study is non-invasive, cheep, technical can repeated without harm to the patient and available even at bed, especially when surgeon is well-trained to do it.