Role of Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis

Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical abdominal emergency in India. As this disease is amenable for treatment by surgery, early diagnosis plays an important role in early treatment and in preventing undue complications.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, positive and the negative predictive values and accuracy of Ultrasonography in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

A total of 200 cases were selected ranging in age from 2 years to 67 years admitted in the hospital with suspicion of acute appendicitis which will be subjected to Ultrasonography.

Among the 200 cases studied, 150 proved surgically were acute appendicitis. Male: Female ratio was 1.5: 1 for acute appendicitis. The disease was most common in the 2^nd and 3^rd decades. Location of appendix was most commonly Retro caecal (in 75.9% cases). Mean diameter of the appendix was 9.56 mm. Target sign was the most commonly detected sonographic sign. Ultrasonographic sensitivity was 96.1% and specificity was 95.65%. 6 cases were false negative and 2 cases were false positive. Predictive value of positive test was 98.66% and predictive value of negative test was 88%.

Ultrasonography is a dynamic real time imaging technique without any hazards of ionization as with that of X-rays. It is cost effective investigation and not much time consuming. It can be used at bedside for examining critically ill patients. It can also be used safely in pregnancy.