A Prospective Study to Analyze the Accuracy of Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Acute Right Lower Quadrant Pain in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

ABSTRACT

Background: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in differentiating causes of acute right lower quadrant pain in women of childbearing age by taking surgical outcome as the gold standard. Methods: The descriptive, analytical study was conducted at the Lord Buddha Medical College, Saharsa, from July to November 2014 to April 2015, and comprised female patients of childbearing age who presented with acute right lower quadrant pain and underwent surgery after ultrasonography. Results: Of the 50 patients enrolled in our study on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 35 (70%) patients were symptomatically and sonographically positive to have either acutely inflamed non-compressible appendix or focal fluid collection in right lower quadrant with normal pelvic viscera. Sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 84% were calculated. Conclusion: Ultrasound had a sensitivity and specificity justifying its usage as a good diagnostic tool in emergency situations to avoid undue surgical interventions.