Correlation of ultrasonography findings of acute appendicitis with pathological acute appendicitis

Abstract

Background:The vermiform appendix is important in surgery due to its propensity for inflammation which results in the clinical syndrome known as acute appendicitis. Approximately 7% of the population will have appendicitis in their life time, with the peak incidence occurring between 10 and 30 years. There occur numerous instances in the practice of medicine which demand of the physician expert diagnostic skill, sound judgment, quick and competent treatment. Ultrasound is found to diagnose inflammatory appendix its specificity of 90-99% and sensitivity of 75-90%.Methods: This is a randomized study comprising of 138 patients of suspected acute appendicitis. The patients with suspected acute appendicitis were subjected to ultrasonography and high frequency probe was used in some cases. Patients were treated based on the clinical impression, following all standard surgical principals. The surgical specimen was sent for histopathological examination for confirmation of diagnosis. Data was collected, recorded and then processed.Results:Out of total 138 patients included in study, 117 patients were subjected to emergency appendectomy. 111 patients out of 117 patients operated were true positive for acute appendicitis, confirmed by histopathology report. Rest 6 patients out of 117 had normal appendix on histopathology. The Sensitivity of Ultrasonography was 98.19%, specificity was 81.48%, positive predictive value was 95.61% and negative predictive value was 91.66% in our study.Conclusions:Ultrasonography is a good diagnostic indicator for acute appendicitis. It can be used as an adjunct in doubtful cases where diagnostic dilemma arises.