ACCURACY OF ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE APPENDICITIS
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Acute appendicitis is one of the most common abdominal conditions requiring surgical intervention. Also prompt diagnosis is necessary to avoid complications, such as gangrene and perforation and delayed diagnosis may result in life-threatening conditions, such as abscess, peritonitis, or sepsis. Among imaging methods Ultrasound (US) is a valuable tool.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: patients included who were presenting. With signs and symptoms concerning for acute appendicitis and who underwent a diagnostic ultrasonography. US was performed by the radiologist with patient was in a supine position with hips flexed in order to relax the abdominal muscles. Graded compression was applied over the patient’s maximal site of pain.
RESULTS: a total of 84 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the study population was 36±18.3. of the 84 cases, 40 (48%) were male and 44 (52%) were female in our study group.38 (45% cases presented with fever, 56 (67%) with vomiting and 74 (88%) presented with pain in right hypochondriac fossa. WBC count was raised in (>11000/mm3) 38 (45%) of the patients. 82 patients were diagnosed and confirmed by ultrasonography. Of the 82 patients 62 with acute appendicitis were at the oedematous stage and 20 were diagnosed at the perforated stage.
CONCLUSION: Graded-compression ultrasonography can be performed at any time, irrespective of specific preparation. US have more advantages as compared to other modalities as time to diagnosis is reduced, low cost, less radiation and contrast dye exposure. Imaging is required in adult patients with clinically suspected acute appendicitis to confirm the diagnosis for prompt and accurate treatment.
