Discovering The True Accuracy of Ultrasonography in The Confirmation of Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis, a World-wide Dilemma

Abstract

Background: Acute appendicitis occurs in almost 10 % of western populations. The male-female ratio of approximately 2:1 gradually declines after age 25 years until the gender ratio is equal. Approximately 1% of total surgical procedures are appendectomies. Negative appendectomy rates are increasing and some of the factors that play a massive role in this include clinical evaluation that is not specific and absence of readily available techniques permitting direct visualization of the appendix. Because of this world-wide problem of increasing negative appendectomies, we need a method to confirm the diagnosis of true acute appendicitis.Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate and estimate the efficacy of ultrasound in the confirmation of diagnosis of acute appendicitis in clinically suspected cases of acute appendicitis and to compare ultrasound findings with surgical findings.Methods: This study included a total of 100 patients suspected to have acute appendicitis who were admitted to the department of surgery at Al-Karak teaching hospital, Mutah University, from January 2014- December 2015. Abdominal-pelvic sonography with focus on the right lower quadrant graded compression ultrasonography technique was used. The sonographic data was prospectively correlated with clinical operative and histopathological findings.Results: Graded compression ultrasonography results were analyzed and showed 92.7% sensitivity, 94.5% specificity, 93% accuracy, 94.4% positive predictive value, 92.5% negative predictive value.Conclusion: Ultrasonography has a higher degree of accuracy so it is a safe and a reliable method in the diagnosis of suspected cases of acute appendicitis. This can help minimize negative appendectomies, perforation rates, and medical expenses on patients. Therefore from the findings in our study, we may begin to put this world-wide issue to rest.