Role of ultrasonography in clinically suspected cases of acute appendicitis

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted at CMH Rawalpindi to evaluate the diagnostic rate of ultrasonography in clinically suspected cases of acute appendicitis. In our study which was conducted from 1998 to 2000, a total number of 100 patients with the clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis were included. There were 47 male patients and 53 female patients. Male to female ratio was 11.12. The age of the patients ranged from 8 to 70 years. The subject were studied with Aloka SSD-630 machine equipped with 7.5 MMz short focused high resolution probe. A final diagnosis of appendicitis and allied appendix disorders was made in 72 patients while 26 patients were true negative. Out of 72 patients suffering from diseases of appendix, 63 patients had acute appendicitis. Out of 63 patients suffering from appendicitis, 56 patients had positive ultrasound examination for appendicitis. Ultrasound has shown the sensitivity of 88.8% in diagnosis of appendicitis while it has shown a specificity of 83.9%. We, therefore, conclude that the use of ultrasound helps to make prompt decision in suspected cases of acute appendicitis especially in patients at extremes of age, females of child bearing age and pregnant women and also in establishing alternate diagnosis, so it should be recommended as a routine screening method in suspected cases