DETERMINATION OF ACCURACY OF 3-MILLIMETER THIN AXIAL SECTIONS OF 64-SLICE MULTI-DETECTOR COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SCAN IN DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE APPENDICITIS

Abstract

Acute appendicitis is a common cause of acute abdominal pain requiring urgent surgical intervention. Timely diagnosis is crucial to prevent complications such as perforation and reduce morbidity and mortality rates. Clinical diagnosis alone can be challenging, leading to false positives and negatives. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has emerged as a valuable tool in diagnosing appendicitis, but its efficacy can be enhanced by optimizing imaging protocols, particularly by utilizing thinner reconstruction sections. We conducted a prospective study involving 150 patients with suspected acute appendicitis. Un-enhanced 64-slice MDCT was performed, and axial images reconstructed from 3mm thin sections were analyzed. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and overall accuracy were calculated using SPSS version 19. Our study demonstrated a sensitivity of 97.8% and specificity of 76.9% for diagnosing acute appendicitis using 3mm thin section MDCT. The NPV and PPV were 76.9% and 97.8%, respectively, with an overall accuracy of 96%. Utilizing 3mm thin axial reconstruction in 64-slice MDCT significantly enhances diagnostic accuracy for acute appendicitis. This approach holds promise in reducing negative appendectomies and associated morbidity and mortality rates. Implementation of this imaging protocol can aid in timely diagnosis, optimizing patient care, and reducing unnecessary hospitalizations. 64-slice MDCT with 3mm thin section reconstructed images emerges as a highly accurate technique for diagnosing or excluding appendicitis in patients with equivocal presentations, contributing to improved patient outcomes and healthcare resource utilization.