Reducing negative appendectomy: evaluation of ultrasonography and computer tomography in acute appendicitis

Abstract

Objective: To study the sensitivity and the specificity for ultrasonography and computed tomography in patients with suspected appendicitis, and their value to the clinician.

Main outcome measures: The negative appendectomy rate and the sensitivity and the specificity for ultrasonography and computed tomography in patients with suspected appendicitis.

Result: The diagnostic accuracy was 88% (men 95%, women 80%). Two hundred and thirty-nine patients were examined by ultrasonography preoperatively. The sensitivity for ultrasonography was 0.82 and the specificity was 0.97. Forty-nine patients were examined by computed tomography preoperatively. The sensitivity for computer tomography was 0.88 and the specificity was 0.95.

Conclusions: We conclude that ultrasound and computed tomography investigations on patients with suspected appendicitis are of great value. Computed tomography seems to have a higher sensitivity than ultrasound and a high specificity. In fertile women, where unnecessary surgery is best avoided, we believe that computed tomography investigation or ultrasound examination are better alternatives to surgical intervention.