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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 7/2013

01-07-2013 | Gastrointestinal

Added value of ultrasound re-evaluation for patients with equivocal CT findings of acute appendicitis: a preliminary study

Authors: Ji Ye Sim, Hyuk Jung Kim, Jae Woo Yeon, Byoung Sun Suh, Ki Ho Kim, Young Rock Ha, So Ya Paik

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 7/2013

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Abstract

Purpose

To prospectively estimate the additional diagnostic value of ultrasound (US) re-evaluation for patients with equivocal computed tomography (CT) findings of acute appendicitis.

Methods

Between April 2011 and October 2011, 869 consecutive patients with suspected appendicitis who were referred for CT were included. The likelihood of appendicitis was prospectively categorized into five categories. US re-evaluation was recommended for patients in the ‘equivocal appendix’ and ‘probably not appendicitis’ groups. The overall negative appendectomy rate during the study period was compared with the rate of the previous year, and negative appendectomy rates of the US and non-US evaluation groups were also compared.

Results

Among 869 patients, 71 (8.2 %) had equivocal appendicitis findings and 63 (7.2 %) were diagnosed as probably not appendicitis. The sensitivity and specificity of CT combined with US re-evaluation group (100 % and 98.1 %, respectively) exceeded those of the CT alone group (93 % and 99 %; equivocal group considered as negative appendicitis, 100 % and 89.9 %; as positive, respectively, P < 0.0001). After adding US re-evaluation, the overall negative appendectomy rate in our institution decreased from 3.4 to 2.3 %.

Conclusion

For patients with equivocal CT findings of acute appendicitis, US re-evaluation can improve diagnostic accuracy and decrease the rate of negative appendectomies.

Key Points

• Misdiagnosis of appendicitis still occurs, especially in patients with equivocal radiological findings.
• The sensitivity and specificity of CT followed by US exceeded those of CT alone.
• After US re-evaluation, the negative appendectomy rate decreased from 3.4 to 2.3 %.
• US re-evaluation in equivocal cases helps diagnostic confidence and further management.
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Metadata
Title
Added value of ultrasound re-evaluation for patients with equivocal CT findings of acute appendicitis: a preliminary study
Authors
Ji Ye Sim
Hyuk Jung Kim
Jae Woo Yeon
Byoung Sun Suh
Ki Ho Kim
Young Rock Ha
So Ya Paik
Publication date
01-07-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 7/2013
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-013-2769-2

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