Indication and usefulness of ultrasonography for suspected acute appendicitis at the emergency department

Background: Appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdominal pain and subsequent surgery For that reason the diagnosis of this condition is a cause of big concern in emergency departments. Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the usefulness of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis Material and methods: Retrospective study which included patients presented in the emergency department with abdominal pain of suspected acute abdominal disorder origin and remitted to undergone ultrasonography to rule out appendicitis from January to July 2004 Results: Among 2015 ultrasonography scans 296 were performed to exclude a diagnosis of acute appendicitis 288 could be interpreted and the diagnosis of acute appendicitis was established in 52 In 15 cases the ultrasonography and the definite diagnosis differed Ultrasonography and surgical diagnosis were different in 6 patients. In 9 patients the ultrasonography was not diagnostic. Ultrasound sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 83,7%, 97,4%, 87,7% and 96,2%, respectively Conclusions: The global cost-effectiveness of ultrasonography to diagnose appendicitis is good. Due to its availability and its low cost, ultrasonography is an accurate test for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in emergency departments, specially in uncertain cases. [Emergencias 2008,20 81-86]