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European Radiology

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01-06-2016 | Gastrointestinal

Diagnostic accuracy of low-dose CT compared with abdominal radiography in non-traumatic acute abdominal pain: prospective study and systematic review

Authors: Muhammed Alshamari, Eva Norrman, Mats Geijer, Kjell Jansson, Håkan Geijer

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 6/2016

Abstract

Objectives

Abdominal radiography is frequently used in acute abdominal non-traumatic pain despite the availability of more advanced diagnostic modalities. This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of low-dose CT compared with abdominal radiography, at similar radiation dose levels.

Methods

Fifty-eight patients were imaged with both methods and were reviewed independently by three radiologists. The reference standard was obtained from the diagnosis in medical records. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated. A systematic review was performed after a literature search, finding a total of six relevant studies including the present.

Results

Overall sensitivity with 95 % CI for CT was 75 % (66–83 %) and 46 % (37–56 %) for radiography. Specificity was 87 % (77–94 %) for both methods. In the systematic review the overall sensitivity for CT varied between 75 and 96 % with specificity from 83 to 95 % while the overall sensitivity for abdominal radiography varied between 30 and 77 % with specificity 75 to 88 %.

Conclusions

Based on the current study and available evidence, low-dose CT has higher diagnostic accuracy than abdominal radiography and it should, where logistically possible, replace abdominal radiography in the workup of adult patients with acute non-traumatic abdominal pain.

Key Points

• Low-dose CT has a higher diagnostic accuracy than radiography.

• A systematic review shows that CT has better diagnostic accuracy than radiography.

• Radiography has no place in the workup of acute non-traumatic abdominal pain.

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Title: Diagnostic accuracy of low-dose CT compared with abdominal radiography in non-traumatic acute abdominal pain: prospective study and systematic review
Authors: Muhammed Alshamari
Eva Norrman
Mats Geijer
Kjell Jansson
Håkan Geijer
Publication date: 01-06-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 6/2016
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-015-3984-9

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Diagnostic accuracy of low-dose CT compared with abdominal radiography in non-traumatic acute abdominal pain: prospective study and systematic review

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

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