Sivit CJ, Applegate KE, Stallion A, Dudgeon DL, Salvator A, Schluchter M, Berlin SC, Myers MT, Borisa VJ, Weinert DM, Morrison SC, Grisoni ER. Imaging evaluation of suspected appendicitis in a pediatric population: effectiveness of sonography versus CT.
AJR Am J Roentgenol 2000;
175:977-80. [PMID:
11000147 DOI:
10.2214/ajr.175.4.1750977]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of graded compression sonography with that of helical CT for the diagnosis of appendicitis in a pediatric and young adult population.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Between June 1996 and April 1999, 386 pediatric and young adult patients with suspected appendicitis were examined using sonography, CT, or both: 233 underwent sonography only, 71 underwent CT only, and 82 underwent sonography and CT. All sonograms and CT scans were prospectively interpreted as showing positive or negative findings for appendicitis by one of six pediatric radiologists. CT and sonographic findings were correlated with surgical and histopathologic findings or findings at clinical follow-up.
RESULTS
Helical CT had a significantly higher sensitivity (95% versus 78%, p = 0.009) and accuracy (94% versus 89%, p = 0.05) than graded compression sonography for the diagnosis of appendicitis in children, adolescents, and young adults. The specificity of both techniques was 93%. Twenty of 82 patients who underwent both sonography and CT had discordance between the findings of the two examinations. The CT results were correct in a significantly greater number of patients with discordant examinations (17/20 patients [85%]).
CONCLUSION
Helical CT has a significantly higher sensitivity and accuracy than graded compression sonography for the diagnosis of appendicitis in a pediatric and young adult population, particularly in children more than 10 years old.
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