An Analysis of Role of Computed Tomography Scan Abdomen in Differentiating Perforated from Non-perforated Appendicitis Accurately and Comparing with Histopathology Reports

ABSTRACT

Background: Acute appendicitis is one of the most common abdominal surgical emergencies requiring accurate diagnosis. Itis characterized by obstruction of its lumen, leading to inflammation and finally perforation. To define its prognosis, choose anappropriate surgical procedure and to decide non-surgical treatment, the pre-operative diagnosis of perforated or non-perforatedappendicitis is very important.Aim of the Study This study aims to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT) scan abdomen indifferentiating perforated from non-perforated appendicitis using histopathology as the final diagnosis.Materials and Methods: Aprospective, cross-sectional analytical study, wherein 85 patients diagnosed with acute appendicitisreferred to the radiological department for CT scan abdomen were included in the study. Patients aged between 15 and 70 yearswere included in the study. CT scan abdomen with and without contrast was performed on a Toshiba 64 Multislice CT scanner(Toshiba Medical Systems Corp., Tokyo, Japan) which was used for all the patients. All the CT scans were interpreted by the sameconsultant radiologists with a minimum of 5 years of experience. The radiological features for the diagnosis of non-perforatedacute appendicitis by CT were based on swollen appendix, thickened enhancing wall, and smudging of surrounding fat planes,whereas the radiological features for perforated appendicitis used were, with abscess formation, phlegmon, extraluminal air,extraluminal appendicolith, and focal defect in the appendicular wall. Histopathology of the specimen collected following surgerywas undertaken by the hospital consultant pathologist of more than 5-year experience.Observations and Results: Among the 85 patients included in this study for the analysis of CT scan abdomen features, therewere 57 (67.05%) males and 28 (32.94%) females with a male-to-female ratio of 2.031. The mean age of the patients was38.90 ± 6.70 years. The incidence of non-perforated appendicitis was 66/85 (77.64%) including males 44/85 (51.76%) andfemales 22/85 (25.88%). The incidence of perforated appendicitis was 19/85 (22.35%) and males were 12/85 (14.11%) and 7/85(8.23%) were female. Patients aged 15–45 years of both genders constituted to 63/85 (74.11%) of the total patients. Amongthese patients, presenting with non-perforated appendicitis was 51/85 (60%) and perforated appendicitis was 12/85 (14.11%).Conclusions: Multislice CT scan abdomen was considered as the modality of choice for acute appendicitis not only to confirmthe diagnosis but also it plays an important role in assessment of appendicular complication, particularly in the detection ofperforated appendix. Using one or more of the five radiological signs of CT scan abdomen to identify appendicular perforationraised the sensitivity significantly reaching 94.12%.