M Afzal, M Sarfraz Ahmed, M Javed, M Rafi, M A Jawed Siddiqui.
Ultrasonography can improve diagnostic accuracy in equivocal cases of Appendicitis.
Biomedica Jan ;13(1):46-50.

Role of Ultrasonography in improving the diagnostic accuracy was prospectively studied in 100 patients admitted with suspected appendicitis. The criteria for ultrasound diagnosis of appendicitis included visualization of appendix as an aperistalti, hypoechoeic structure with a diameter of 6mm or more. Final diagnosis was reached in 74 patients after laparotomy. Diagnosis of appendicitis was made in 63 patients of whom 56 were sonographically predicted. Sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy were 38.88%, 83.8% and 87.22% respectively. Positive predictive value was 91.8% and negative predictive value was 78.8%. Ultrasonography can significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy in patients with equivocal clinical features of appendicitis. However, ultrasound findings should he interpreted in the light of the clinical features.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com