Ultrasonography Is Still A Useful Diagnostic Tool In Acute Appendicitis

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and to study the correlation between clinical signs, laboratory investigations and ultrasonographic findings in the evaluation of the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Methods:A total number of 100 patients (52 men and 48 women) over a period of 2 years, with the clinical suspicion of appendicitis, were subjected to abdominal ultrasonographic examination. Ultrasound positive cases were subjected to surgery. The accuracy of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of appendicitis was compared with clinical diagnosis, laparotomy findings and histopathological examination reports. Results: Out of 100 cases that underwent ultrasonography, 58 cases were sonographically positive for appendicitis and 3 cases were appendicular masses. Right iliac fossa tenderness, rebound tenderness and Rovsing’s sign were the cardinal signs. The Murphy’s triad of symptoms holds good in the diagnosis of appendicitis in the present study. The overall specificity of ultrasound was 88.09% and the sensitivity was 91.37% in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Conclusion:Acute appendicitis is a common indication for emergency abdominal surgery. Ultrasonography is still a useful tool in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in spite of sophisticated investigations like CT abdomen and laparoscopy; thus, reducing the cost of treatment and preventing negative laparotomies.