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Vevaud K, Dallocchio A, Dumoitier N, Laspougeas A, Labrunie A, Belgacem A, Fourcade L, Ballouhey Q. A prospective study to evaluate the contribution of the pediatric appendicitis score in the decision process. BMC Pediatr 2024; 24:131. [PMID: 38373918 PMCID: PMC10875762 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04619-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to assess the likelihood of acute appendicitis (AA) in children presenting with abdominal symptoms at the emergency department (ED), based on their prior primary care (PC) consultation history. METHODS Between February and June 2021, we prospectively enrolled all children presenting at the ED with acute abdominal pain indicative of possible acute appendicitis (AA). Subsequently, they were categorized into three groups: those assessed by a PC physician (PG), those brought in by their family without a prior consultation (FG), and those admitted after a PC consultation without being assessed as such. The primary objective was to assess the probability of AA diagnosis using the Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS). Secondary objectives included analyzing PAS and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels based on the duration of pain and final diagnoses. RESULTS 124 children were enrolled in the study (PG, n = 56; FG, n = 55; NG, n = 13). Among them, 29 patients (23.4%) were diagnosed with AA, with 13 cases (23.2%) from the PG and 14 cases (25.4%) from the FG. The mean PAS scores for AA cases from the PG and FG were 6.69 ± 1.75 and 7.57 ± 1.6, respectively, (p = 0.3340). Both PAS scores and CRP levels showed a significant correlation with AA severity. No cases of AA were observed with PAS scores < 4. CONCLUSIONS There was no significant difference in PAS scores between patients addressed by PG and FG, even though PAS scores tended to be higher for patients with AA. We propose a new decision-making algorithm for PC practice, which incorporates inflammatory markers and pain duration. TRIAL REGISTRATION Institutional Ethics Committee registration number: 447-2021-103 (10/01/2021). CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04885335 (Registered on 13/05/2021).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Vevaud
- Service de chirurgie pédiatrique, Hôpital des Enfants, Hôpital Universitaire de Limoges, 8 Avenue Dominique Larrey, Limoges Cedex, 87042, France
| | - Aymeric Dallocchio
- Service de chirurgie pédiatrique, Hôpital des Enfants, Hôpital Universitaire de Limoges, 8 Avenue Dominique Larrey, Limoges Cedex, 87042, France
| | - Nathalie Dumoitier
- Département universitaire de médecine Générale, Faculté de médecine de Limoges, 2 rue du Docteur Marcland, Limoges Cedex, 87042, France
| | - Alban Laspougeas
- Service de chirurgie pédiatrique, Hôpital des Enfants, Hôpital Universitaire de Limoges, 8 Avenue Dominique Larrey, Limoges Cedex, 87042, France
| | - Anaïs Labrunie
- Biostatistics and Research Methodology (CEBIMER), Limoges University Hospital, 2 rue du Docteur Marcland, Limoges Cedex, 87042, France
| | - Alexis Belgacem
- Service de chirurgie pédiatrique, Hôpital des Enfants, Hôpital Universitaire de Limoges, 8 Avenue Dominique Larrey, Limoges Cedex, 87042, France
| | - Laurent Fourcade
- Service de chirurgie pédiatrique, Hôpital des Enfants, Hôpital Universitaire de Limoges, 8 Avenue Dominique Larrey, Limoges Cedex, 87042, France
| | - Quentin Ballouhey
- Service de chirurgie pédiatrique, Hôpital des Enfants, Hôpital Universitaire de Limoges, 8 Avenue Dominique Larrey, Limoges Cedex, 87042, France.
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Nemeh C, Hassan IN, Walsh A, Iyer S, Gitzelmann CA. Pediatric Ultrasound Appendicitis Score for the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis to Reduce Computed Tomography Scan Utilization. Am Surg 2024; 90:245-251. [PMID: 37651539 DOI: 10.1177/00031348231199172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis is one of the most common reasons for pediatric surgical consultation in the emergency room. Although acute appendicitis is a clinical diagnosis, the use of imaging in the emergency department to assist with the diagnosis is very common. Ultrasound is frequently utilized in pediatrics because of the radiation risks associated with computed tomography (CT) scan. The risks of radiation in the pediatric population are much more significant than in adults. Reasons for this include smaller size so there is a relative higher radiation dose than for larger adults, radiosensitive organs such as thyroid, bone marrow, and gonads, and radiation exposure earlier in life allows for more time that a radiation induced cancer could develop. The risks of radiation from imaging are increased with cumulative dosing. METHODS The purpose of this study was to incorporate the pediatric appendicitis score (PAS) and standardized ultrasound scoring system to provide a combined score that would assist with the clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis and avoid the need for a CT scan. RESULTS The presented data shows that for scores of 7 or more, the specificity and sensitivity is 90% and 90.2%, respectively for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. DISCUSSION This study validates the combined score, shows the specific cutoffs, and initiates the discussion that CT scan may not always be required for diagnosing acute appendicitis if this scoring system is used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Nemeh
- Department of General Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Irfan N Hassan
- Department of Radiology, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ, USA
| | - Abigail Walsh
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ, USA
| | - Sekhar Iyer
- Department of Radiology, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ, USA
| | - Christopher A Gitzelmann
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ, USA
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Jiang F. Physicians Should Pay Attention to Signs. Pediatr Emerg Care 2024; 40:e2. [PMID: 38123143 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000003100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Fenglin Jiang
- Department of Medical Ultrasound Yanbian University Hospital Yanji, Jilin China
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Kitaoka H, Chikai H, Watanabe K, Ida H, Kumagai T. Diagnostic performance of the classic symptom "abdominal pain before vomiting" for pediatric acute appendicitis. Pediatr Neonatol 2024; 65:17-22. [PMID: 37487928 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2023.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis is the most common type of acute abdomen that requires surgical intervention in children. According to general pediatric textbooks, the presence of vomiting before abdominal pain is considered a classic patient history item for excluding acute appendicitis. However, its diagnostic performance in the pediatric population has yet to be investigated. METHODS This was a single-center retrospective observational study involving 134 children who were admitted to the hospital with both abdominal pain and vomiting. The reference standard for appendicitis was defined by computed tomography scanning. The diagnostic performance of "abdominal pain before vomiting" was calculated and compared to those of the Alvarado score and pediatric appendicitis score. RESULTS The diagnostic performance of "abdominal pain before vomiting" was as follows: sensitivity of 75.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 64.7-83.6), specificity of 25.0% (95% CI, 15.5-36.7), positive likelihood ratio of 1.00 (95% CI, 0.82-1.22), negative likelihood ratio of 0.99 (95% CI, 0.54-1.79), and diagnostic odds ratio of 1.02 (95% CI, 0.46-2.25). In contrast, the Alvarado score and pediatric appendicitis score (with a threshold of 4 points) demonstrated favorable sensitivity (98.3% [95% CI, 92.4-99.6]), negative predictive value (94.6% [95% CI, 78.4-98.8]), negative likelihood ratio (0.04 [95% CI, 0.01-0.23]), and diagnostic odds ratio (49.9 [95% CI, 6.88-243.2]). CONCLUSION In this study, "abdominal pain before vomiting" was associated with poor diagnostic performance for ruling out acute pediatric appendicitis. Thus, the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in the pediatric population should be made based on existing validated scoring systems such as the Alvarado score and pediatric appendicitis score.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Kitaoka
- Department of Pediatrics, Yaizu City Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Hayato Chikai
- Department of Pediatrics, Yaizu City Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiko Watanabe
- Department of Pediatrics, Yaizu City Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroto Ida
- Department of Pediatrics, Yaizu City Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
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Michelson KA, Bachur RG, Rangel SJ, Monuteaux MC, Mahajan P, Finkelstein JA. Emergency Department Volume and Delayed Diagnosis of Pediatric Appendicitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Ann Surg 2023; 278:833-838. [PMID: 37389457 PMCID: PMC10756921 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000005972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the association of emergency department (ED) volume of children and delayed diagnosis of appendicitis. BACKGROUND Delayed diagnosis of appendicitis is common in children. The association between ED volume and delayed diagnosis is uncertain, but diagnosis-specific experience might improve diagnostic timeliness. METHODS Using Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project 8-state data from 2014 to 2019, we studied all children with appendicitis <18 years old in all EDs. The main outcome was probable delayed diagnosis: >75% likelihood that a delay occurred based on a previously validated measure. Hierarchical models tested associations between ED volumes and delay, adjusting for age, sex, and chronic conditions. We compared complication rates by delayed diagnosis occurrence. RESULTS Among 93,136 children with appendicitis, 3,293 (3.5%) had delayed diagnosis. Each 2-fold increase in ED volume was associated with a 6.9% (95% CI: 2.2, 11.3) decreased odds of delayed diagnosis. Each 2-fold increase in appendicitis volume was associated with a 24.1% (95% CI: 21.0, 27.0) decreased odds of delay. Those with delayed diagnosis were more likely to receive intensive care [odds ratio (OR): 1.81, 95% CI: 1.48, 2.21], have perforated appendicitis (OR: 2.81, 95% CI: 2.62, 3.02), undergo abdominal abscess drainage (OR: 2.49, 95% CI: 2.16, 2.88), have multiple abdominal surgeries (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 2.13, 3.07), or develop sepsis (OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.61, 2.54). CONCLUSIONS Higher ED volumes were associated with a lower risk of delayed diagnosis of pediatric appendicitis. Delay was associated with complications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard G Bachur
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Shawn J Rangel
- Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | | | - Prashant Mahajan
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Jonathan A Finkelstein
- Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA
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Shikha A, Kasem A. The Development and Validation of Artificial Intelligence Pediatric Appendicitis Decision-Tree for Children 0 to 12 Years Old. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2023; 33:395-402. [PMID: 36113502 DOI: 10.1055/a-1946-0157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diagnosing appendicitis in young children (0-12 years) still poses a special difficulty despite the advent of radiological investigations. Few scoring models have evolved and been applied worldwide, but with significant fluctuations in accuracy upon validation. AIM To utilize artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to develop and validate a diagnostic model based on clinical and laboratory parameters only (without imaging), in addition to prospective validation to confirm the findings. METHODS In Stage-I, observational data of children (0-12 years), referred for acute appendicitis (March 1, 2016-February 28, 2019, n = 166), was used for model development and evaluation using 10-fold cross-validation (XV) technique to simulate a prospective validation. In Stage-II, prospective validation of the model and the XV estimates were performed (March 1, 2019-November 30, 2021, n = 139). RESULTS The developed model, AI Pediatric Appendicitis Decision-tree (AiPAD), is both accurate and explainable, with an XV estimation of average accuracy to be 93.5% ± 5.8 (91.4% positive predictive value [PPV] and 94.8% negative predictive value [NPV]). Prospective validation revealed that the model was indeed accurate and close to the XV evaluations, with an overall accuracy of 97.1% (96.7% PPV and 97.4% NPV). CONCLUSION The AiPAD is validated, highly accurate, easy to comprehend, and offers an invaluable tool to use in diagnosing appendicitis in children without the need for imaging. Ultimately, this would lead to significant practical benefits, improved outcomes, and reduced costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anas Shikha
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital, Jalan Putera Al-Muhtadee Billah, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
| | - Asem Kasem
- Computer Information Science, Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE
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Gil LA, Deans KJ, Minneci PC. Appendicitis in Children. Adv Pediatr 2023; 70:105-122. [PMID: 37422289 DOI: 10.1016/j.yapd.2023.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
The management of pediatric appendicitis continues to advance with the development of evidence-based treatment algorithms and a recent shift toward patient-centered treatment approaches. Further research should focus on development of standardized institution-specific diagnostic algorithms to minimize rates of missed diagnosis and appendiceal perforation and refinement of evidence-based clinical treatment pathways that reduce complication rates and minimize health care resource utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay A Gil
- Pediatric Surgery Research Fellow, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43206, USA
| | - Katherine J Deans
- Department of Surgery, Nemours Children's Health, Delaware Valley, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
| | - Peter C Minneci
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 611 East Livingston Avenue, Columbus, OH 43206, USA.
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Raeisi R, Azizi M, Amiri J, Ghorbanpour M, Esna-Ashari F. Accuracy Evaluation of Pediatric Appendicitis Scoring (PAS) Method in Differentiating Nonspecific Abdominal Pain from Appendicitis. Int J Prev Med 2023; 14:40. [PMID: 37351062 PMCID: PMC10284213 DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_539_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed at evaluating the accuracy of the pediatric appendicitis scoring method in differentiating nonspecific abdominal pain (NSAP) from appendicitis. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 391 children who were hospitalized in the emergency ward due to acute abdominal pain suspected of appendicitis . Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS), C-reactive protein (CRP), and appendicitis pathology results of patients undergoing surgery were recorded. Results The results showed that the no significant difference was found among patients in the three experimental groups (appendicitis, specific abdominal pain except appendicitis, and NSAP) with respect to temperature (p = 0.212), but the other variables were significantly different. Findings showed that high CRP frequency, pain migration to right lower quadrant (RLQ), tenderness in right iliac fossa (RIF), anorexia, leukocytosis, high neutrophil, and mean tenderness in RLQ in the appendicitis group were higher than those in the other two groups (p = 0.001). The PAS questionnaire can also be used as a reliable questionnaire with appropriate sensitivity (0.929) and specificity (0.993), and this questionnaire along with detailed clinical examinations could reduce the rate of negative appendectomy to less than 1%. Conclusions This study showed high accuracy of PAS in diagnosing children with appendicitis and differentiating appendicitis from cases of NSAP and specific abdominal pain other than appendicitis. The PAS system could also significantly reduce cases of negative appendicitis. Although high CRP had an excellent ability to diagnose appendicitis, its accuracy was lower than PAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roya Raeisi
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mona Azizi
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Jalaleddin Amiri
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | | | - Farzaneh Esna-Ashari
- Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- School of Public Health and Research Center for Health Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
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Hwang JK, Cho YJ, Kang BS, Min KW, Cho YS, Kim YJ, Lee KS. Omental infarction diagnosed by computed tomography, missed with ultrasonography: A case report. World J Clin Cases 2023; 11:972-978. [PMID: 36818623 PMCID: PMC9928693 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i4.972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Omental infarction (OI) is a surgical abdominal disease that is not common in adults and is very rare in children. Similar to various acute abdominal pain diseases including appendicitis, diagnosis was previously achieved by diagnostic laparotomy but more recently, ultrasonography or computed tomography (CT) examination has been used.
CASE SUMMARY A 6-year-old healthy boy with no specific medical history visited the emergency room with right lower abdominal pain. He underwent abdominal ultrasonography by a radiologist to rule out acute appendicitis. He was discharged with no significant sonographic finding and symptom relief. However, the symptoms persisted for 2 more days and an outpatient visit was made. An outpatient abdominal CT was used to make a diagnosis of OI. After laparoscopic operation, his symptoms resolved.
CONCLUSION In children’s acute abdominal pain, imaging studies should be performed for appendicitis and OI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Kyoon Hwang
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri-si 11923, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Yu Jeong Cho
- Department of Surgery, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri-si 11923, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Bo Seung Kang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri-si 11923, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Kyueng-Whan Min
- Department of Pathology, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri-si 11923, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Young Seo Cho
- Department of Radiology, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri-si 11923, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Yong Joo Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul 04763, South Korea
| | - Kyung Suk Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri-si 11923, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
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Muacevic A, Adler JR, Hakeem H, Othman A, Halawani M, Tashkandi A. The Use of Inflammatory Markers to Rule Out Acute Appendicitis in Pediatrics. Cureus 2022; 14:e31374. [PMID: 36514558 PMCID: PMC9741917 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.31374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency in pediatric patients. The diagnosis of acute appendicitis in pediatrics is challenging and requires an accurate physical examination, laboratory study, and imaging. The aim of this study was to determine the benefits of using three inflammatory markers, white blood count (WBC), neutrophils percent (NE%), and C-reactive protein (CRP), in ruling out appendicitis in pediatric patients. Methods A retrospective study was conducted of 152 pediatric patients aged between 6 months and 14 years presenting to the emergency department between January 2018 and December 2020, with the diagnosis of appendicitis as the primary physician's main diagnosis. Demographic information and clinical data were extracted from the medical file for each patient. Results Out of the 152 patients included, 68 (44.7%) were female and 84 (55.3%) were male, with median age was 8.1 years. Thirty-six (23.7%) had acute appendicitis confirmed by histopathology. Of these 36 patients, only two patients (5.6%) had all inflammatory markers within normal limits. Conclusion Although raised inflammatory markers may help diagnose acute appendicitis, their role in ruling it out remains limited.
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Pediatric Appendicitis Score for Identifying Acute Appendicitis in Children Presenting With Acute Abdominal Pain to the Emergency Department. Indian Pediatr 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13312-022-2620-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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12
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Horst KK, Carr BM, Parvinian A, McDonald JS. Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the presentation of paediatric acute appendicitis: an observational study. Clin Radiol 2022; 77:943-951. [PMID: 36184302 PMCID: PMC9458697 DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2022.08.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Aim To determine whether there were differences in the clinical presentation of patients imaged to evaluate for acute appendicitis in 2020 compared to 2019 with the hope that this information might better identify patients who should undergo imaging work-up and those who should not. Materials and methods This retrospective observational study included patients <18 years who were evaluated for appendicitis between 1 March and 31 May 2019 and 2020. A total of 465 patients were stratified by final diagnosis (appendicitis versus not appendicitis) and compared based on presenting symptoms, physical examination findings, vital signs, and laboratory test results. Results Symptoms and physical examination findings that were significant in the positive cohort in both years included right lower quadrant pain, pain with movement, migration of pain, right lower quadrant tenderness, and peritoneal findings. Reporting upper respiratory symptoms was an independent predictor of negative results among all patients and in 2019. Both negative cohorts were more likely to have negative physical examinations. Anorexia and nausea/vomiting were more likely among positive cases in 2019 whereas diarrhoea was more likely among positive cases in 2020. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly change the presenting features of acute appendicitis. The results of the present study emphasise the importance of the physical examination. The ambiguity of symptoms that mimic gastroenteritis justifies imaging in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- K K Horst
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
| | - B M Carr
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - A Parvinian
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - J S McDonald
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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Figueiro Longo MG, Jaimes C, Machado F, Delgado J, Gee MS. Pediatric Emergency MRI. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 2022; 30:533-552. [PMID: 35995478 DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2022.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
There is an overall increase in the use of imaging in the pediatric emergency room setting, which is accompanied by a reduction in computed tomography examinations performed mainly due to the increased awareness of the risks of ionizing radiation. Advances in MRI technology have led to shortened scan time, decreased motion sensitivity, and improved spatial resolution. With increased access to MRI in the emergency room setting, the goal of this article is to review major applications of MR in pediatric emergency room patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gabriela Figueiro Longo
- Division of Pediatric Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Camilo Jaimes
- Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Fedel Machado
- Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jorge Delgado
- Division of MSK Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Michael S Gee
- Division of Pediatric Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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14
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Rassi R, Muse F, Sánchez-Martínez J, Cuestas E. Diagnostic Value of Clinical Prediction Scores for Acute Appendicitis in Children Younger than 4 Years. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2022; 32:198-205. [PMID: 33550577 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1722860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute appendicitis can be difficult to diagnose, especially in children < 4 years old. The aim of the present study was to assess the diagnostic value of Alvarado score (AS), appendicitis inflammatory response (AIR) score, and pediatric appendicitis score (PAS) in children younger than 4 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS All children younger than 4 years who underwent appendicectomy between 2005 and 2019 were included retrospectively. The diagnostic performance of the scores was analyzed using the area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve and by calculating the diagnostic performances at optimal criterion value cutoff points. RESULTS In this study, 100 children were included (58 boys and 42 girls) with a median age of 39.5 (12-47) months. Ninety children were diagnosed with pathologically proven acute appendicitis. The area under ROC curve of AS was 0.73, AIR score was 0.79, and PAS was 0.69 (p > 0.05, respectively). In children with low risk of acute appendicitis, negative predictive values were 75.0% for AS, 50.0% for AIR score, and 66.7% for PAS (p < 0.05, respectively). The positive predictive values in children with high risk of acute appendicitis were of 92.7% for AS, 92.6% for AIR score, and 93.6% for PAS (p > 0.05, respectively). AS, AIR score, and PAS plus positive ultrasonography have 0.58, 0.49, and 0.88 area under ROC curve. CONCLUSION The three scores can be of assistance in the suspicion of acute appendicitis. PAS markedly improved combined with positive ultrasonography, but none can be used in setting the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Rassi
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Clínica del Sol, Córdoba, Argentina.,Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hospital Infantil Municipal, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Florencia Muse
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hospital Infantil Municipal, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - José Sánchez-Martínez
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hospital Infantil Municipal, Córdoba, Argentina.,Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hospital Raúl A. Ferreyra, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Eduardo Cuestas
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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15
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A Standardized Diagnostic Pathway for Suspected Appendicitis in Children Reduces Unnecessary Imaging. Pediatr Qual Saf 2022; 7:e541. [PMID: 35369405 PMCID: PMC8970092 DOI: 10.1097/pq9.0000000000000541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound (US) for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis is often nondiagnostic, and additional imaging is required. A standardized approach may reduce unnecessary imaging.
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16
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Staab S, Black T, Leonard J, Bruny J, Bajaj L, Grubenhoff JA. Diagnostic Accuracy of Suspected Appendicitis: A Comparative Analysis of Misdiagnosed Appendicitis in Children. Pediatr Emerg Care 2022; 38:e690-e696. [PMID: 34170096 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000002323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE When evaluating suspected appendicitis, limited data support quality benchmarks for negative appendectomy (NA); none exist for delayed diagnosis of appendicitis (DDA). The objectives of this study are the following: (1) to provide preliminary evidence supporting a quality benchmark for DDA and 2) to compare presenting features and diagnostic evaluations of children with NA and DDA with those with pathology-confirmed appendicitis (PCA) diagnosed during initial emergency department (ED) encounter. METHODS Secondary analysis of data from a QI project designed to reduce the use computed tomography when evaluating suspected appendicitis using a case-control design. Patients undergoing appendectomy in an academic tertiary care children's hospital system between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2016 (n = 1,189) were eligible for inclusion in this case-control study. Negative appendectomy was defined as no pathologic change or findings consistent with a different diagnosis. Delayed diagnosis of appendicitis was defined as patients undergoing appendectomy within 7 days of a prior ED visit for a related complaint. Controls of PCA (n = 150) were randomly selected from all cases undergoing appendectomy. RESULTS There were 42 NA (3.5%) and 31 DDA (2.6%). Cases of PCA and NA exhibited similar histories, examination findings, and underwent comparable diagnostic evaluations. Cases of PCA more frequently demonstrated a white blood cell count greater than 10 × 103/μL (85% vs 67%; P = 0.01), a left-shift (77% vs 45%; P < 0.001), and an ultrasound interpretation with high probability for appendicitis (73% vs 54%; P = 0.03). Numerous significant differences in history, examination findings, and diagnostic tests performed existed between cases of PCA and DDA. CONCLUSIONS Children with PCA and NA present similarly and undergo comparable evaluations resulting in appendectomy. A 3% to 4% NA rate may be unavoidable given these similarities. Presenting features in DDA significantly differ from those of PCA. An irreducible proportion of appendicitis diagnoses may be delayed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jan Leonard
- From the Section of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine
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17
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Salim J, Agustina F, Maker JJR. Pre-Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pediatric Acute Appendicitis: Risk Factors Model and Diagnosis Modality in a Developing Low-Income Country. Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr 2022; 25:30-40. [PMID: 35087731 PMCID: PMC8762600 DOI: 10.5223/pghn.2022.25.1.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Pediatric acute appendicitis has a stable incidence rate in Western countries with an annual change of -0.36%. However, a sharp increase was observed in the Asian region. The Indonesian Health Department reveals appendicitis as the fourth most infectious disease, with more than 64,000 patients annually. Hence, there is an urgent need to identify and evaluate the risk factors and diagnostic modalities for accurate diagnosis and early treatment. This study also clarifies the usage of pediatric appendicitis score (PAS) for children <5 years of age. METHODS The current study employed a cross-sectional design with purposive sampling through demographic and PAS questionnaires with ultrasound sonography (USG) results. The analysis was performed using the chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests and logistic regression. RESULTS This study included 21 qualified patients with an average age of 6.76±4.679 years, weighing 21.72±10.437 kg, and who had been hospitalized for 4.24±1.513 days in Siloam Teaching Hospital. Compared to the surgical gold standard, PAS and USG have moderate sensitivity and specificity. Bodyweight and stay duration were significant for appendicitis (p<0.05); however, all were confounders in the multivariate regression analysis. Incidentally, a risk prediction model was generated with an area under the curve of 72.73%, sensitivity of 100.0%, specificity of 54.5%, and a cut-off value of 151. CONCLUSION PAS outperforms USG in the sensitivity of diagnosing appendicitis, whereas USG outperforms PAS in terms of specificity. This study demonstrates the use of PAS in children under 5 years old. Meanwhile, no risk factors were significant in multivariate pediatric acute appendicitis risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Salim
- Faculty of Medicine, Pelita Harapan University, Tangerang, Indonesia
| | - Flora Agustina
- Faculty of Medicine, Pelita Harapan University, Tangerang, Indonesia.,Pediatric Surgery Department, Siloam Hospitals Lippo Village, Tangerang, Indonesia
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18
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Head WT, Parrado RH, Cina RA. Impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic on the Care of Pediatric Acute Appendicitis. Am Surg 2021:31348211067995. [PMID: 34957861 DOI: 10.1177/00031348211067995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency in children. With the rise of the Coronavirus-19 pandemic, quarantine measures have been enforced to limit the viral transmission of this disease. The purpose of this study was to identify differences in the clinical presentation and outcomes of pediatric acute appendicitis during the Coronavirus-19 pandemic. METHODS A single-institution retrospective assessment of all pediatric patients (<18 years old) with acute appendicitis from December 2019 to June 2020 was performed at a tertiary care children's hospital. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) the Pre-COVID group presented on or before March 15, 2020, and (2) the COVID group presented after March 15, 2020. Demographic, preoperative, and clinical outcomes data were analyzed. RESULTS 45 patients were included with a median age of 13 years [IQR 9.9 - 16.2] and 35 males (78%). 28 patients were in the Pre-COVID group (62%) and 17 in the COVID group (38%). There were no differences in demographics or use of diagnostic imaging. The COVID group did have a significantly delayed presentation from symptom onset (36 vs 24 hours, P < .05), higher Pediatric Appendicitis Scores (8 vs 6, P = .003), and longer hospital stays (2.2 vs 1.3 days, P = .04). There were no significant differences for rates of re-admission, re-operation, surgical site infection, perforation, or abscess formation. CONCLUSION During the Coronavirus-19 pandemic, the incidence of pediatric acute appendicitis was approximately 40% lower. These children presented in a delayed fashion with longer hospital stays. No differences were noted for postoperative complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- William T Head
- College of Medicine, 158155Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Raphael H Parrado
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, 2345Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Robert A Cina
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, 2345Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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19
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Hulka F, Morris B, Elliott P, Targonska B. The use of a score-based protocol in pediatric appendicitis decreases CT scan utilization when evaluating children in a community hospital. ANNALS OF PEDIATRIC SURGERY 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s43159-021-00109-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS) is a validated scoring system assessing children with abdominal pain. Prior to 2016, children with abdominal pain in our community hospital were evaluated primarily using CT scans. A protocol using PAS and ultrasound (US) as the primary radiologic modality was adopted in 2016 for evaluating children with abdominal pain. The protocol consisted of three tiers with low PAS requiring no radiologic evaluation; moderate PAS requiring US and high PAS requiring initial surgical consultation. Retrospective chart review of children presenting with clinically suspected appendicitis was performed from January 2015 through December 2017, representing 1 year before and 2 years after implementation of PAS protocol. PAS scoring was assigned retrospectively to patients not scored in the emergency physician’s note, and statistical analysis of the patient cohorts was performed using SPSS, version 17. This study was approved by the University of Nevada Institutional Review Board.
Results
Application of PAS scoring system increased use of US as the primary radiologic test from 59% pre-protocol to 91% post protocol and decreased use of CT scans from 41 to 8% (p < .05). Physician adherence to protocol improved from 59 to 71%, increasing further to 81% in the 2nd year post-protocol (p < .05). The highest rate of non-compliance was noted when providers ordered an US in patients with a low PAS, followed by ordering any radiologic tests in patients with a high PAS.
Conclusion
Implementation of PAS-based protocol altered clinician behavior in a community hospital when evaluating children with clinically suspected appendicitis. Improved adherence to the protocol over time with significant decrease of CT scans ordered thereby reducing radiation exposure in the pediatric population. Future improvements will be aimed at decreasing radiologic testing in patients with a low PAS and involving surgeons earlier with patients who have a high PAS as clinical acceptance to the protocol matures.
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20
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Goldman MP, Lynders W, Crain M, Nocera Kelley M, Solomon DM, Bokhari SA, Tiyyagura G, Auerbach MA, Emerson BL. A QI Partnership to Decrease CT Use for Pediatric Appendicitis in the Community Hospital Setting. Pediatr Qual Saf 2021; 6:e479. [PMID: 34589653 PMCID: PMC8476057 DOI: 10.1097/pq9.0000000000000479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The primary aim of this quality improvement initiative was to decrease the use of computerized tomography (CT) in the evaluation of pediatric appendicitis in a community general emergency department (GED) system by 50% (from 32% to 16%) in 1 year. METHODS Colleagues within a State Emergency Medical Service for Children (EMSC) community of practice formed the quality improvement team, representing multiple stakeholders across 3 independent institutions. The team generated project aims by reviewing baseline practice trends and implemented changes using the Model for Improvement. Ultrasound (US) use and nondiagnostic US rates served as process measures. Transfer and "over-transfer" rates served as balancing measures. Interventions included a GED pediatric appendicitis clinical pathway, US report templates, and case audit and feedback. Statistical process control tracked the main outcomes. Additionally, frontline GED providers shared perceptions of knowledge gains, practice changes, and teamwork. RESULTS The 12-month baseline revealed a GED CT scan rate of 32%, a US rate of 63%, a nondiagnostic US rate of 77%, a transfer to a children's hospital rate of 23.5%, and an "over-transfer" rate of 0%. Project interventions achieved and sustained the primary aim by decreasing the CT scan rate to 4.5%. Frontline GED providers reported positive perceptions of knowledge gains and standardization of practice. CONCLUSIONS Engaging regional colleagues in a pediatric-specific quality improvement initiative significantly decreased CT scan use in children cared for in a community GED system. The emphasis on the community of practice facilitated by Emergency Medical Service for Children may guide future improvement work in the state and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P. Goldman
- From the Department of Pediatrics, and the Department of Emergency Medicine, Section of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn., Middlesex, Conn
| | - William Lynders
- Middlesex Health, Department of Emergency Medicine, Middlesex, Conn
| | - Michael Crain
- Middlesex Health, Department of Emergency Medicine, Middlesex, Conn
| | - Mariann Nocera Kelley
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine/Traumatology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Connecticut Children’s, Hartford, Conn
| | - Daniel M. Solomon
- Department of Surgery, Section of Pediatric Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
| | - Syed A.J. Bokhari
- Department of Radiology, Section of Pediatric Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
| | - Gunjan Tiyyagura
- From the Department of Pediatrics, and the Department of Emergency Medicine, Section of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn., Middlesex, Conn
| | - Marc A. Auerbach
- From the Department of Pediatrics, and the Department of Emergency Medicine, Section of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn., Middlesex, Conn
| | - Beth L. Emerson
- From the Department of Pediatrics, and the Department of Emergency Medicine, Section of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn., Middlesex, Conn
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21
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Tunc E, Fraundorf E, Worley S, Aquino M, Magnuson D, Lampl BS, Jennings S, Fertel BS. The use of a pediatric appendicitis pathway in a large integrated health system reduced computed tomography imaging in the ED. Am J Emerg Med 2021; 50:211-217. [PMID: 34392140 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2021.07.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Appendicitis is the most common cause of an acute surgical abdomen in children. Diagnosis is often challenging as few pediatric patients present with classic symptoms. Clinicians are thus dependent on imaging to reach an accurate diagnosis. Although computerized tomography (CT) has high sensitivity and specificity, it has the disadvantage of imparting ionizing radiation. Ultrasound (US) is readily available and has comparable accuracy to CT when performed by experienced sonographers. We sought to examine the impact of a system-wide process improvement plan on CT use and other metrics in pediatric patients who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with suspected appendicitis. METHODS This is a retrospective study of the impact of a Pediatric Appendicitis Pathway (PAP) within a large integrated hospital system with 12 EDs including 3 designated hub EDs. Patients were placed in an initial risk category utilizing the Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS), and received US of the appendix at a hub ED if indicated by the PAS. Patients presenting to community EDs who required US appendix were transferred to hub EDs for imaging. Patients presenting in the 6-month pre-implementation period were compared to patients presenting in a 14-month post-implementation period on CT and US utilization, negative and missed appendectomy rates, and ED length of stay (LOS). RESULTS 1874 patients (401 pre-PAP and 1473 post-PAP) were included in the study. At the hub EDs the rate of CT imaging for suspected appendicitis was reduced from 31% to 17% with a resultant increase in US utilization from 83% (333/401) to 90% (1331/1473) (p < 0.001). At community general EDs (404 pre-PAP and 449 post-PAP), the rate of CT was decreased from 45% (181/404) to 32%(144/449) (p < 0.001)) There was no significant change in the negative appendectomy rate pre-PAP (1/59 = 1.7%) and post-PAP (4/168 = 2.4%) (p = 0.99) at the hub EDs. There were no missed appendicitis cases after PAP implementation compared to 1 case in the pre-PAP period. Overall LOS was similar pre and post-PAP, however LOS was longer in patients that required transfer from community general EDs to hub EDs (median 264 vs 342 min, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS A PAP that stratified patients into risk groups using the PAS and encouraged the use of US as a first line imaging modality, reduced the number of CT performed in a large integrated health system without significant changes to clinical outcomes. Furthermore, transferring select patients for an US as opposed to obtaining an initial CT in community general EDs was feasible and reduced CT use in the pediatric population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emine Tunc
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Erika Fraundorf
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Emergency Services Institute, Cleveland Clinic Health System and Lerner College of Medicine in Cleveland Ohio, United States of America
| | - Sarah Worley
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic Health System and Lerner College of Medicine in Cleveland Ohio, United States of America
| | - Michael Aquino
- Division of Pediatric Radiology, Imaging Institute, Cleveland Clinic Health System and Lerner College of Medicine in Cleveland Ohio, United States of America
| | - David Magnuson
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic Health System and Lerner College of Medicine in Cleveland Ohio, United States of America
| | - Brooke S Lampl
- Division of Pediatric Radiology, Imaging Institute, Cleveland Clinic Health System and Lerner College of Medicine in Cleveland Ohio, United States of America
| | - Stephanie Jennings
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Pediatric Institute, Cleveland Clinic Health System and Lerner College of Medicine in Cleveland Ohio, United States of America
| | - Baruch S Fertel
- Emergency Services Institute and Enterprise Quality and Safety, Cleveland Clinic Health System and Lerner College of Medicine in Cleveland Ohio, United States of America.
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22
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Michelson KA, Reeves SD, Grubenhoff JA, Cruz AT, Chaudhari PP, Dart AH, Finkelstein JA, Bachur RG. Clinical Features and Preventability of Delayed Diagnosis of Pediatric Appendicitis. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e2122248. [PMID: 34463745 PMCID: PMC8408667 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.22248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Delayed diagnosis of appendicitis is associated with worse outcomes than timely diagnosis, but clinical features associated with diagnostic delay are uncertain, and the extent to which delays are preventable is unclear. OBJECTIVE To determine clinical features associated with delayed diagnosis of pediatric appendicitis, assess the frequency of preventable delay, and compare delay outcomes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This case-control study included 748 children treated at 5 pediatric emergency departments in the US between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2019. Participants were younger than 21 years and had a diagnosis of appendicitis. EXPOSURES Individual features of appendicitis and pretest likelihood of appendicitis were measured by the Pediatric Appendicitis Risk Calculator (pARC). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Case patients had a delayed diagnosis of appendicitis, defined as 2 emergency department visits leading to diagnosis and a case review showing the patient likely had appendicitis at the first visit. Control patients had a single emergency department visit yielding a diagnosis. Clinical features and pARC scores were compared by case-control status. Preventability of delay was assessed as unlikely, possible, or likely. The proportion of children with indicated imaging based on an evidence-based cost-effectiveness threshold was determined. Outcomes of delayed diagnosis were compared by case-control status, including hospital length of stay, perforation, and multiple surgical procedures. RESULTS A total of 748 children (mean [SD] age, 10.2 [4.3] years; 392 boys [52.4%]; 427 White children [57.1%]) were included in the study; 471 (63.0%) had a delayed diagnosis of appendicitis, and 277 (37.0%) had no delay in diagnosis. Children with a delayed diagnosis were less likely to have pain with walking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.16; 95% CI, 0.10-0.25), maximal pain in the right lower quadrant (aOR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.07-0.19), and abdominal guarding (aOR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.21-0.51), and were more likely to have a complex chronic condition (aOR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.05-5.23). The pretest likelihood of appendicitis was 39% to 52% lower in children with a delayed vs timely diagnosis. Among children with a delayed diagnosis, 109 cases (23.1%) were likely to be preventable, and 247 (52.4%) were possibly preventable. Indicated imaging was performed in 104 (22.0%) to 289 (61.3%) children with delayed diagnosis, depending on the imputation method for missing data on white blood cell count. Patients with delayed diagnosis had longer hospital length of stay (mean difference between the groups, 2.8 days; 95% CI, 2.3-3.4 days) and higher perforation rates (OR, 7.8; 95% CI, 5.5-11.3) and were more likely to undergo 2 or more surgical procedures (OR, 8.0; 95% CI, 2.0-70.4). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this case-control study, delayed appendicitis was associated with initially milder symptoms but worse outcomes. These findings suggest that a majority of delayed diagnoses were at least possibly preventable and that many of these patients did not undergo indicated imaging, suggesting an opportunity to prevent delayed diagnosis of appendicitis in some children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth A. Michelson
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Scott D. Reeves
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Joseph A. Grubenhoff
- Section of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
- Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora
| | - Andrea T. Cruz
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Pradip P. Chaudhari
- Division of Emergency and Transport Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Arianna H. Dart
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Richard G. Bachur
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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23
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Hodge SV, Mickiewicz B, Lau M, Jenne CN, Thompson GC. Novel molecular biomarkers and diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children. Biomark Med 2021; 15:1055-1065. [PMID: 34284638 DOI: 10.2217/bmm-2021-0108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Reliable and efficient diagnosis of pediatric appendicitis is essential for the establishment of a clinical management plan and improvement of patient outcomes. Current strategies used to diagnose a child presenting with a suspected appendicitis include laboratory studies, clinical scores and diagnostic imaging. Although these modalities work in conjunction with each other, one optimal diagnostic strategy has yet to be agreed upon. The recent introduction of precision medicine techniques such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics has increased both the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of appendicitis. Using these novel strategies, the integration of precision medicine into clinical practice via point-of-care technologies is a plausible future. These technologies would assist in the screening, diagnosis and prognosis of pediatric appendicitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Vl Hodge
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Beata Mickiewicz
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Matthew Lau
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Craig N Jenne
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Graham C Thompson
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
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24
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION The rate of misdiagnosis of appendicitis in children is a challenge and clinical prediction scores could be part of the solution. However, the pediatric appendicitis score (PAS) and the Alvarado score have shown disappointing diagnostic accuracy in pediatric validation studies, while the appendicitis inflammatory response (AIR) score and the novel pediatric appendicitis risk calculator (pARC) have not yet been validated thoroughly. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate these four prediction scores prospectively in children with suspected appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective study was conducted over a 2-year period. All patients <15 years with suspected appendicitis were eligible for inclusion. The four prediction scores were compared regarding predictive values, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves, decision curve analysis, and clinical outcome. RESULTS Of the 318 patients included, 151 (47 %) patients had appendicitis. The AIR score and the pARC had substantially higher specificity and positive predictive value, and lower rate of false positives (7% and 2%), than the PAS and Alvarado score (36 and 28%, p < 0.001). Across the different gender and age groups, the AIR score and the pARC generally had fewer false positives than the PAS and Alvarado score. There were no significant differences in sensitivity, negative predictive values, rates of missed appendicitis, or ROC curve analysis. In decision curve analysis, the AIR score and the pARC outperformed the PAS and Alvarado score at most threshold probabilities. CONCLUSION The AIR score and the pARC are superior to the PAS and Alvarado score in diagnosing children with suspected appendicitis.
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25
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Hartford EA, Woodward GA. Appendectomy or Not? An Update on the Evidence for Antibiotics Only Versus Surgery for the Treatment of Acute Appendicitis in Children. Pediatr Emerg Care 2020; 36:347-352. [PMID: 32618901 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000002157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Appendicitis is a common diagnosis in children being evaluated in the emergency department. After diagnosis, standard treatment has been surgical appendectomy; however, in recent years there is a growing body of evidence evaluating the possibility of nonoperative management in both children and adults. This review will present the current state of the pediatric literature that suggests patients may be successfully treated with antibiotics alone (ie, without surgery), but that a proportion of these patients will have recurrent appendicitis. Given that the literature regarding the option of antibiotic-only management compared with surgery is not yet definitive, there are many factors for providers to discuss with families and patients when considering treatment for acute appendicitis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - George A Woodward
- Professor, Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
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26
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Özdamar MY, Karavaş E. Acute mesenteric lymphadenitis in children: findings related to differential diagnosis and hospitalization. Arch Med Sci 2020; 16:313-320. [PMID: 32190142 PMCID: PMC7069435 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2018.79430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diagnostic discrimination between acute appendicitis (AA) and mesenteric lymphadenitis (AML) may require more diagnostic tests or great skill after excluding other diagnoses. This study aimed to make a differential diagnosis between AA and AML patients with previous and new parameters and to examine which parameters should be taken into account regarding whether the AML patient should be hospitalized or discharged. MATERIAL AND METHODS One hundred and twenty-three AML and 134 AA patients, randomly selected, were included in the study. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of all subjects were analyzed. Ultrasonographic and rarely computed tomography examinations evaluating for the enlarged lymph nodes with the shortest diameter in the right lower quadrant of the AML patients were performed. Also, the erect abdominal radiographs (EAR) of AML and AA patients were evaluated. RESULTS While there was no statistically significant difference in age or gender, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, monocyte percentage as well as symptoms between the AA and AML groups (p > 0.05), neutrophil and lymphocyte percentage, appearance of EAR and L/M ratio were significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05). There was no correlation between the short-axis diameter of the mesenteric lymph node and clinical and laboratory findings in the AML group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Based on the results with ROC curve analysis, we propose to take into account the L/M ratio and the EAR from the parameters in the differential diagnosis between AA and AML in addition to previously reported parameters. Also, we recommend that the same features may be used to decide whether AML patients under observation are hospitalized or not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Yaşar Özdamar
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Erzincan Binali Yildirim University, Erzincan, Turkey
| | - Erdal Karavaş
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Erzincan Binali Yildirim University, Erzincan, Turkey
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27
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Fujii T, Tanaka A, Katami H, Shimono R. Usefulness of the pediatric appendicitis score for assessing the severity of acute appendicitis in children. Pediatr Int 2020; 62:70-73. [PMID: 31654464 DOI: 10.1111/ped.14032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We investigated relationships between the Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS) and pathological progression and disease severity in pediatric acute appendicitis. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 72 children who underwent surgery for acute appendicitis. We divided them into groups: simple appendicitis (n = 28) or complicated appendicitis (n = 44). We compared the influence of age, body temperature, blood test findings, hospitalization period, number of complications, and PAS between the groups. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the PAS for diagnosing complicated appendicitis. A receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to evaluate the cut-off value for diagnosing complicated appendicitis. To assess the severity of acute appendicitis, we divided the patients into groups according to that cut-off value. RESULTS There were statistically significant differences in the PAS between simple appendicitis and complicated appendicitis (5.8 versus 7.9). The receiver operating characteristic curve indicated a PAS cut-off value of 8. A PAS ≥ 8 had a sensitivity of 73%, a specificity of 89%, a positive predictive value of 91%, and a negative predictive value of 68%. A PAS ≥ 8 was associated with significantly longer hospitalization and more complications than a PAS < 8. CONCLUSIONS The PAS may be associated with pathological progression and disease severity in appendicitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Fujii
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kitagun, Japan
| | - Aya Tanaka
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kitagun, Japan
| | - Hiroto Katami
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kitagun, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Shimono
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kitagun, Japan
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Derakhshanfar H, Pourbakhtyaran E, Rahimi S, Sayyah S, Karbasian F, Soltantooyeh Z, Fallah S. Survey of efficacy of pediatric appendicitis score in Iranian patients less than 18 years old referred to the emergency department. J Family Med Prim Care 2019; 8:3700-3705. [PMID: 31803676 PMCID: PMC6881965 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_740_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Abdominal pain, in particular appendicitis, is a common cause of emergency department visits in children. Therefore, early diagnosis is very important. There are different scoring systems for the diagnosis of appendicitis. This study is the first study to evaluate the performance and accuracy of pediatric appendicitis score (PAS) in Iranian children with abdominal pain in emergency departments. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of children under 18 years with suspected appendicitis who were referred to the emergency medicine department of hospitals affiliated to SBMU during 2015. Acute appendicitis was determined according to pathological findings, and final PAS scores were calculated for all children. With statistical analysis, comparison between two groups was calculated and the diagnostic accuracy of PAS score was estimated. Results: 88 children with mean age of 10.5 ± 3 were studied. According to clinical examination 58 of the children were suspected to have acute appendicitis and 30 others were healthy. In current study, the diagnostic accuracy and precision of PAS at cutoff of 5.5 in patients younger than 18 years admitted to the emergency department with suspected acute appendicitis was 91% and 92%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 93.88%, 86.21% and 92%, 89.29%, respectively. Conclusions: The results of current study showed that PAS has high diagnostic predictive value for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children under 18 years and due to the advantages listed for this score, its use is recommended for children in emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hojjat Derakhshanfar
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Mofid Children Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Pourbakhtyaran
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Mofid Children Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samane Rahimi
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Mofid Children Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Sayyah
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Mofid Children Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Karbasian
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Mofid Children Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Shahrzad Fallah
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Mofid Children Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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van Amstel P, Gorter RR, van der Lee JH, Cense HA, Bakx R, Heij HA. Ruling out Appendicitis in Children: Can We Use Clinical Prediction Rules? J Gastrointest Surg 2019; 23:2027-2048. [PMID: 30374814 PMCID: PMC6773677 DOI: 10.1007/s11605-018-3997-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify available clinical prediction rules (CPRs) and investigate their ability to rule out appendicitis in children presenting with abdominal pain at the emergency department, and accordingly select CPRs that could be useful in a future prospective cohort study. METHODS A literature search was conducted to identify available CPRs. These were subsequently tested in a historical cohort from a general teaching hospital, comprising all children (< 18 years) that visited the emergency department between 2012 and 2015 with abdominal pain. Data were extracted from the electronic patient files and scores of the identified CPRs were calculated for each patient. The negative likelihood ratios were only calculated for those CPRs that could be calculated for at least 50% of patients. RESULTS Twelve CPRs were tested in a cohort of 291 patients, of whom 87 (29.9%) suffered from acute appendicitis. The Ohmann score, Alvarado score, modified Alvarado score, Pediatric Appendicitis score, Low-Risk Appendicitis Rule Refinement, Christian score, and Low Risk Appendicitis Rule had a negative likelihood ratio < 0.1. The Modified Alvarado Scoring System and Lintula score had a negative likelihood ratio > 0.1. Three CPRs were excluded because the score could not be calculated for at least 50% of patients. CONCLUSION This study identified seven CPRs that could be used in a prospective cohort study to compare their ability to rule out appendicitis in children and investigate if clinical monitoring and re-evaluation instead of performing additional investigations (i.e., ultrasound) is a safe treatment strategy in case there is low suspicion of appendicitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul van Amstel
- Paediatric Surgical Centre of Amsterdam, Emma Children’s Hospital Amsterdam University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ramon R. Gorter
- Paediatric Surgical Centre of Amsterdam, Emma Children’s Hospital Amsterdam University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna H. van der Lee
- Division Woman and Child, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Huib A. Cense
- Division of Surgery, Red Cross Hospital, Vondellaan 13, 1942 LE Beverwijk, The Netherlands
| | - Roel Bakx
- Paediatric Surgical Centre of Amsterdam, Emma Children’s Hospital Amsterdam University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hugo A. Heij
- Paediatric Surgical Centre of Amsterdam, Emma Children’s Hospital Amsterdam University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Cotton DM, Vinson DR, Vazquez-Benitez G, Margaret Warton E, Reed ME, Chettipally UK, Kene MV, Lin JS, Mark DG, Sax DR, McLachlan ID, Rauchwerger AS, Simon LE, Kharbanda AB, Kharbanda EO, Ballard DW. Validation of the Pediatric Appendicitis Risk Calculator (pARC) in a Community Emergency Department Setting. Ann Emerg Med 2019; 74:471-480. [PMID: 31229394 PMCID: PMC8364751 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2019.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE The pediatric Appendicitis Risk Calculator (pARC) is a validated clinical tool for assessing a child's probability of appendicitis. Our objective was to assess the performance of the pARC in community emergency departments (EDs) and to compare its performance with that of the Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS). METHODS We conducted a prospective validation study from October 1, 2016, to April 30, 2018, in 11 community EDs serving general populations. Patients aged 5 to 20.9 years and with a chief complaint of abdominal pain and less than or equal to 5 days of right-sided or diffuse abdominal pain were eligible for study enrollment. Our primary outcome was the presence or absence of appendicitis within 7 days of the index visit. We reported performance characteristics and secondary outcomes by pARC risk strata and compared the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves of the PAS and pARC. RESULTS We enrolled 2,089 patients with a mean age of 12.4 years, 46% of whom were male patients. Appendicitis was confirmed in 353 patients (16.9%), of whom 55 (15.6%) had perforated appendixes. Fifty-four percent of patients had very low (<5%) or low (5% to 14%) predicted risk, 43% had intermediate risk (15% to 84%), and 4% had high risk (≥85%). In the very-low- and low-risk groups, 1.4% and 3.0% of patients had appendicitis, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 0.89 (95% confidence interval 0.87 to 0.92) for the pARC compared with 0.80 (95% confidence interval 0.77 to 0.82) for the PAS. CONCLUSION The pARC accurately assessed appendicitis risk for children aged 5 years and older in community EDs and the pARC outperformed the PAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale M Cotton
- Permanente Medical Group, Oakland, CA; Kaiser Permanente, South Sacramento Medical Center, Sacramento, CA.
| | - David R Vinson
- Permanente Medical Group, Oakland, CA; Kaiser Permanente, Division of Research, Oakland, CA; Kaiser Permanente, Sacramento Medical Center, Sacramento, CA
| | | | | | - Mary E Reed
- Kaiser Permanente, Division of Research, Oakland, CA
| | - Uli K Chettipally
- Permanente Medical Group, Oakland, CA; Kaiser Permanente, South San Francisco Medical Center, South San Francisco, CA
| | - Mamata V Kene
- Permanente Medical Group, Oakland, CA; Kaiser Permanente, San Leandro Medical Center, San Leandro, CA
| | - James S Lin
- Permanente Medical Group, Oakland, CA; Kaiser Permanente, Santa Clara Medical Center, Santa Clara, CA
| | - Dustin G Mark
- Permanente Medical Group, Oakland, CA; Kaiser Permanente, Division of Research, Oakland, CA; Kaiser Permanente, Oakland Medical Center, Oakland, CA
| | - Dana R Sax
- Permanente Medical Group, Oakland, CA; Kaiser Permanente, Oakland Medical Center, Oakland, CA
| | - Ian D McLachlan
- Permanente Medical Group, Oakland, CA; Kaiser Permanente, San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | | | - Laura E Simon
- Kaiser Permanente, Division of Research, Oakland, CA
| | - Anupam B Kharbanda
- Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Minneapolis, MN
| | | | - Dustin W Ballard
- Permanente Medical Group, Oakland, CA; Kaiser Permanente, Division of Research, Oakland, CA; Kaiser Permanente, San Rafael Medical Center, San Rafael, CA
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Benito J, Fernandez S, Gendive M, Santiago P, Perez-Garay R, Arana-Arri E, Mintegi S. A new clinical score to identify children at low risk for appendicitis. Am J Emerg Med 2019; 38:554-561. [PMID: 31171439 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2019.05.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Besides clinical signs and imaging, in recent years, biomarkers have proven to be a viable diagnostic resource for acute appendicitis (AA). OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to develop a clinical score including clinical signs and a combination of biomarkers to identify children with abdominal pain at low risk of AA. DESIGN/METHODS We prospectively included children 2 to 14 years of age with abdominal pain suggestive of AA who presented to the emergency department between July 2016 and September 2017. A new score, the Pediatric Appendicitis Laboratory Score (PALabS) including clinical signs, leucocyte (WBC) and neutrophil (ANC) counts and plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and calprotectin (CP) levels was developed and validated through secondary analyses of two distinct cohorts The validation sample included visits to a single pediatric emergency department from 2012 to 2013 and 2016 to 2017. RESULTS The derivation sample included 278 children, 35.9% of whom had AA and the validation sample included 255 children, 49% of whom had AA. Using logistic regression, we created a 6-part score that consisted of nausea (3 points), history of focal right lower quadrant pain (4 points), ANC of ≥7500/μL (7 points), WBC of ≥10,000/μL (4 points), CRP ≥ 10.0 mg/L (2 points) and CP ≥ 0.50 ≥ ng/mL (3 points). This score exhibited a high discriminatory power (area under the curve: 0.88; 95% confidence interval: 0.84 to 0.92) and outperformed the PAS and Kharbanda scores (area under the curve: 0.76; 95% confidence interval: 0.71 to 0.82 and 0.82; 95% confidence interval: 0.77 to 0.87, respectively). A PALabS ≤6 had a sensitivity of 99.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 95.6-99.9), negative predictive value of 97.6% (95% CI: 87.7-99.6), and negative likelihood ratio of 0.03 (95% CI: 0.00-0.18) in the validation set. CONCLUSION In our validation cohort of patients with acute abdominal pain, the new score can accurately predict which children are at low risk of appendicitis and could be safely managed with close observation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Benito
- Pediatric Emergency Department, BioCruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain.
| | - S Fernandez
- Pediatric Emergency Department, BioCruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
| | - M Gendive
- Pediatric Emergency Department, BioCruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
| | - P Santiago
- Pediatric Emergency Department, BioCruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
| | - R Perez-Garay
- Department, Laboratory, BioCruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
| | - E Arana-Arri
- Department of Epidemiologic Unit, Cruces University Hospital, BioCruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
| | - S Mintegi
- Pediatric Emergency Department, BioCruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
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Mori T, Shin TS, Ong GYK. High Ascending Retrocecal Appendicitis in a Pediatric Patient Detected by Point-of-care Ultrasound. Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med 2019; 3:149-152. [PMID: 31061973 PMCID: PMC6497212 DOI: 10.5811/cpcem.2019.2.41682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A 10-year-old male presented to our pediatric emergency department with progressive, colicky abdominal pain for one day, associated with fever and non-bilious vomiting. He had a guarded abdomen with sluggish bowel sounds. He was noted to have poor perfusion with tachycardia, which resolved with fluid resuscitation. Abdominal radiograph demonstrated the presence of a circular radiopaque structure at the right hypochondrial region. Point-of-care ultrasound revealed an ascending appendicitis with signs of perforation, which was unusually located just at the inferior edge of the liver, over the right hypochondrium. The patient was immediately admitted to the surgical intermediate care unit. Urgent laparoscopic appendectomy was successfully performed, and the child was discharged well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Mori
- KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Singapore
| | - Teng S Shin
- KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Singapore
| | - Gene Y K Ong
- KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Singapore
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Wagner M, Tubre DJ, Asensio JA. Evolution and Current Trends in the Management of Acute Appendicitis. Surg Clin North Am 2018; 98:1005-1023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.suc.2018.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Schoel L, Maizlin II, Koppelmann T, Onwubiko C, Shroyer M, Douglas A, Russell RT. Improving imaging strategies in pediatric appendicitis: a quality improvement initiative. J Surg Res 2018; 230:131-136. [PMID: 30100029 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2018.04.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program identified our hospital as an outlier for preoperative computed tomography (CT) use in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children. We performed a quality improvement project to reduce this utilization in favor of ultrasound-based diagnoses (ultrasonography [US]) through creation and implementation of an evidence-based appendicitis algorithm. METHODS Over a 2-y period (1 y preceding and 1 y following institution of the algorithm), the clinical information of all pediatric patients operated on for suspicion of acute appendicitis following imaging studies in our institution was collated. Basic characteristics were compared before and after protocol implementation using the chi-square test for categorical variables and the nonparametric, independent sample test of medians for numerical variables. Imaging modalities used and clinical outcomes were compared using chi-square analysis. RESULTS A total of 227 patients (117 preprotocol and 110 postprotocol implementation) were evaluated in our emergency department and operated on for suspicion of acute appendicitis. There were no differences in age, sex, race, or body mass index between the two periods. There were also no differences in length of stay (P = 0.27), acute and perforated appendicitis rates (P = 0.59), negative appendectomy rates (P = 0.40), or postoperative complications (P = 0.19). There was a significant reduction in the utilization of CT, from 65.8% to 22.0%, with a concurrent increase in the utilization of US (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS With the implementation of a standardized, multidisciplinary algorithm, CT utilization was decreased and concurrently US utilization was increased without sacrificing diagnostic accuracy or patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Schoel
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Ilan I Maizlin
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Tal Koppelmann
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Chinwendu Onwubiko
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Michelle Shroyer
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Ann Douglas
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Robert T Russell
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama.
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Kharbanda AB, Vazquez-Benitez G, Ballard DW, Vinson DR, Chettipally UK, Kene MV, Dehmer SP, Bachur RG, Dayan PS, Kuppermann N, O’Connor PJ, Kharbanda EO. Development and Validation of a Novel Pediatric Appendicitis Risk Calculator (pARC). Pediatrics 2018; 141:e20172699. [PMID: 29535251 PMCID: PMC5869337 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2017-2699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We sought to develop and validate a clinical calculator that can be used to quantify risk for appendicitis on a continuous scale for patients with acute abdominal pain. METHODS The pediatric appendicitis risk calculator (pARC) was developed and validated through secondary analyses of 3 distinct cohorts. The derivation sample included visits to 9 pediatric emergency departments between March 2009 and April 2010. The validation sample included visits to a single pediatric emergency department from 2003 to 2004 and 2013 to 2015. Variables evaluated were as follows: age, sex, temperature, nausea and/or vomiting, pain duration, pain location, pain with walking, pain migration, guarding, white blood cell count, and absolute neutrophil count. We used stepwise regression to develop and select the best model. Test performance of the pARC was compared with the Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS). RESULTS The derivation sample included 2423 children, 40% of whom had appendicitis. The validation sample included 1426 children, 35% of whom had appendicitis. The final pARC model included the following variables: sex, age, duration of pain, guarding, pain migration, maximal tenderness in the right-lower quadrant, and absolute neutrophil count. In the validation sample, the pARC exhibited near perfect calibration and a high degree of discrimination (area under the curve: 0.85; 95% confidence interval: 0.83 to 0.87) and outperformed the PAS (area under the curve: 0.77; 95% confidence interval: 0.75 to 0.80). By using the pARC, almost half of patients in the validation cohort could be accurately classified as at <15% risk or ≥85% risk for appendicitis, whereas only 23% would be identified as having a comparable PAS of <3 or >8. CONCLUSIONS In our validation cohort of patients with acute abdominal pain, the pARC accurately quantified risk for appendicitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupam B. Kharbanda
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children’s Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | | | - Dustin W. Ballard
- The Permanente Medical Group, Inc and Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California
| | - David R. Vinson
- The Permanente Medical Group, Inc and Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California
| | - Uli K. Chettipally
- The Permanente Medical Group, Inc and Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California
| | - Mamata V. Kene
- The Permanente Medical Group, Inc and Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California
| | - Steven P. Dehmer
- Division of Research, HealthPartners Institute, Bloomington, Minnesota
| | - Richard G. Bachur
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Peter S. Dayan
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York; and
| | - Nathan Kuppermann
- Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, California
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Aydin D, Turan C, Yurtseven A, Bayindir P, Toker B, Dokumcu Z, Sezak M, Saz EU. Integration of radiology and clinical score in pediatric appendicitis. Pediatr Int 2018; 60:173-178. [PMID: 29205688 DOI: 10.1111/ped.13471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The efficacy of ultrasonography (US) and abdominal X-ray in combination with Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS) is complicated in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Abdominal X-ray is as useful as US with clinical assessment when evaluated by experienced pediatric radiologist in acute appendicitis. The aim of this study was to determine the value of US and abdominal X-ray for appendicitis in children when combined with clinical assessment based on PAS, and to establish a practical pathway for acute appendicitis in childhood. METHODS A prospective, observational cohort study was conducted at an urban, academic pediatric emergency department. Patients were classified at low (PAS 1-4), intermediate (PAS 5-7), or high (PAS 8-10) risk for appendicitis. Low-risk patients were discharged with telephone follow-up in ≤10 days; those at intermediate risk underwent X-ray and US. High-risk patients received immediate surgical consultation. Patients were grouped on histopathology as having either proven acute appendicitis or no appendicitis. RESULTS A total of 288 children were analyzed. Surgery was performed in 134 patients (46.5%), and 128 (95.5%) had positive histopathology. Mean PAS in the patients with and without appendicitis was 7.09 ± 1.42 and 4.97 ± 2.29, respectively (P = 0.00). The rate of missed cases was 6/288 (2%), and the negative appendectomy rate was 6/134 (4.4%). When the score cut-off was set at 6, the sensitivity and specificity of PAS was 86.7% and 63.1%, respectively. The diagnostic performance of daytime US had a sensitivity of 91.1% and specificity of 71.1%. Also, positive US or PAS >6 or both, had sensitivity and specificity 96.7% and 59.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION US or abdominal X-ray in children with possible appendicitis should be integrated with PAS to determine the next steps in management. In the case of discordance between the clinical findings and radiology, prolonged observation or further imaging are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derya Aydin
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency, Ege University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Caner Turan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency, Ege University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ali Yurtseven
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency, Ege University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Petek Bayindir
- Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Ege University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Bade Toker
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ege University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Zafer Dokumcu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ege University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Murat Sezak
- Department of Pathology, Ege University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Eylem Ulas Saz
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency, Ege University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
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Prada Arias M, Salgado Barreira A, Montero Sánchez M, Fernández Eire P, García Saavedra S, Gómez Veiras J, Fernández Lorenzo JR. Appendicitis versus non-specific acute abdominal pain: Paediatric Appendicitis Score evaluation. ANALES DE PEDIATRÍA (ENGLISH EDITION) 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anpede.2017.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Nishizawa T, Maeda S, Goldman RD, Hayashi H. Predicting need for additional CT scan in children with a non-diagnostic ultrasound for appendicitis in the emergency department. Am J Emerg Med 2018; 36:49-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Revised: 07/01/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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Sola R, Wormer BA, Anderson WE, Schmelzer TM, Cosper GH. Predictors and Outcomes of Nondiagnostic Ultrasound for Acute Appendicitis in Children. Am Surg 2017. [DOI: 10.1177/000313481708301218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasound assessments of children with possible acute appendicitis (AA) are often nondiagnostic. We aimed to identify the predictors of nondiagnostic ultrasound and to investigate the outcomes. A retrospective review was conducted on children aged 4 to 17 years evaluated in 2013 for AAwith ultrasound at a tertiary hospital pediatric emergency department. Demographics, clinical data, and outcomes were analyzed. Of 528 children, 194 (36.7%) had diagnostic ultrasounds and 334 (63.3%) had nondiagnostic ultrasounds. Nondiagnostic ultrasounds were more common after-hours (7 pm–7 am weekdays and on weekends, 70.7%) than during business hours (7 am–7 pm weekdays; 29.3%). After-hours timing and female sex were identified as independent predictors of non-diagnostic ultrasounds (P < 0.05 for both). AA was diagnosed in 35 children with a nondiagnostic ultrasound (10.5%; P < 0.05). No child who underwent a nondiagnostic ultrasound was found to have AA with laboratory values of white blood cell < 11 x 103/μL and c-reactive protein (CRP) < 5 mg/dL. Children with nondiagnostic ultrasounds have a low likelihood of AA if white blood cell < 11 and CRP < 5. We propose a management algorithm that we hope will help reduce admissions and decrease the use of computed tomography scans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Sola
- Department of Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Blair A. Wormer
- Department of Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | | | | | - Graham H. Cosper
- Department of Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
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Kaiser M, Schroeckenfuchs M, Castellani C, Warncke G, Till H, Singer G. The diagnostic value of hepcidin to predict the presence and severity of appendicitis in children. J Surg Res 2017; 222:102-107. [PMID: 29273360 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2017.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic capacity of hepcidin in pediatric acute appendicitis and its accuracy as a predictor of the severity of appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS In children with appendicitis (n = 39), leukocytes, platelet count, and the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and hepcidin were compared to a control group (n = 25) of patients with unspecific abdominal pain. Additionally, parameters were compared between children with simple (n = 17) and complicated appendicitis (n = 22). Receiver operation characteristic analyses of the different parameters were performed and the areas under the curve (AUCs) calculated. RESULTS Leukocytes and serum hepcidin levels were significantly higher in children with acute appendicitis versus control group (13.7 ± 5.7 versus 9.8 ± 3.9 G/L, P = 0.005 and 31.3 ± 21.7 versus 20.4 ± 14 ng/mL, P = 0.039). AUCs for hepcidin, leukocytes, and CRP were 0.654, 0.711, and 0.619, respectively. Complicated appendicitis was associated with significantly higher hepcidin concentrations compared to simple appendicitis (38.5 ± 17.6 ng/mL versus 21.6 ± 23.4 ng/mL, P < 0.001). A combination of leukocytes, CRP, and hepcidin had the highest AUC (0.914) to predict complicated appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS Increased serum levels of hepcidin were found in children with appendicitis compared to controls. While hepcidin was useful to identify patients with complicated appendicitis as it does not seem appropriate to distinguish between simple appendicitis and other causes for acute abdominal pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Kaiser
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Christoph Castellani
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Gert Warncke
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Holger Till
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Georg Singer
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE The use of abdominal computed tomography (ACT) for nontraumatic abdominal pain in the pediatric emergency department is increasing to a remarkable extent, and every effort should be made to select patients who would benefit from ACT. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and laboratory predictors of positive CT yield in pediatric patients with nontraumatic abdominal pain. METHODS The medical records of 739 pediatric patients who, between January 2009 and February 2014, underwent ACT for nontraumatic abdominal pain at the emergency department were reviewed retrospectively. These patients were divided into 2 groups: a right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain group and a non-RLQ pain group. The radiology reports were reviewed to determine ACT diagnoses. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to elicit independent predictors of positive ACT yield. Equations predicting the probability of positive ACT diagnosis were deduced from the regression equation in both groups. RESULTS In the RLQ pain group, the most frequent ACT diagnosis was acute appendicitis, and in the non-RLQ pain group, enteritis was the most frequent diagnosis. In the RLQ pain group, sex, leukocytosis, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and elevated C-reactive protein were significant independent predictors for positive ACT diagnosis. The number of synchronous predictor was significantly related to the proportion of positive ACT diagnosis. In the non-RLQ pain group, leukocytosis was the only significant predictor in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS Factors predicting positive CT yield were sex, leukocytosis, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and elevated C-reactive protein in the RLQ pain group and leukocytosis in the non-RLQ pain group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M Rentea
- Deparment of Surgery, Children's Mercy Hospital, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Shawn D St Peter
- Pediatric Surgical Fellowship and Scholars Programs, Department of Surgery, Children's Mercy Hospital, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
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Sayed AO, Zeidan NS, Fahmy DM, Ibrahim HA. Diagnostic reliability of pediatric appendicitis score, ultrasound and low-dose computed tomography scan in children with suspected acute appendicitis. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2017; 13:847-854. [PMID: 28740395 PMCID: PMC5505679 DOI: 10.2147/tcrm.s134153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Diagnosis of appendicitis in children is clinically challenging. Computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard for diagnosis; however, radiation exposure early in life is a concern with this technique. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic reliability of low-dose CT, pediatric appendicitis score (PAS), and abdominal ultrasound (US) in children with acute appendicitis, to reach a safe diagnosis. Patients and methods This retrospective study was conducted on 140 children who were admitted with clinically suspected acute appendicitis (45 with positive appendicitis and 95 children with negative appendicitis). Low-dose CT was performed, and PAS was retrospectively calculated for all subjects. US was initially performed for 38 subjects. All results were compared with the final diagnosis reached by an operative, histopathological analysis and follow-up. Results Low-dose CT showed a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 97.8%, 100%, and 99.3%, respectively. At a cutoff value ≥5, PAS showed a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 95%, 84%, and 89%, respectively. Abdominal US examination showed sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 55.6%, 85%, and 71%, respectively. Implementing Poortman’s model resulted in higher accuracy (92%) of US. There was a significant difference in accuracy between a low-dose CT and PAS on one side and between Poortman’s model and US examination on the other side. A diagnostic scheme was suggested using PAS as the excluding tool (PAS ≤2 send home and ≥7 send directly to operation) followed by US examination and reserving low-dose CT for inconclusive cases. This scheme would eliminate the use of CT for at least 33.7% and in 7 cases who had initial US examination. Conclusion Although CT remains the most accurate and less operator-dependent diagnostic tool for pediatric appendicitis, the radiation hazards could however be minimized using PAS as an excluding tool and US as the primary imaging modality followed by low-dose CT for inconclusive cases only.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf Othman Sayed
- Department of Pediatrics, Children and Women's University Hospital, Minia University, El-Minya, Egypt
| | - Nancy Selim Zeidan
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Dalia Monir Fahmy
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Mansoura University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Hossam A Ibrahim
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Kaymakci A, Guven S, Erdogan S, Ciftci I, Gokcan R. Evaluation of Clinical and Imaging Findings in Children with Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS 2017; 27. [DOI: 10.5812/ijp.10095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
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Computed Tomography Utilization for the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis in Children Decreases With a Diagnostic Algorithm. Ann Surg 2017; 264:474-81. [PMID: 27433918 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000001867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this project was to decrease computed tomography (CT) utilization for the diagnosis of appendicitis in an academic children's hospital emergency department (ED) through a multidisciplinary quality improvement initiative. BACKGROUND Appendicitis is the most common abdominal diagnosis leading to the hospitalization of children in the United States. However, the diagnosis of appendicitis in children can be difficult and many centers rely heavily upon CT scans. Recent recommendations emphasize decreasing CT use among pediatric patients because of an increased lifetime risk of radiation-induced malignancies. METHODS A retrospective review was conducted of patients diagnosed with appendicitis in the ED at Children's Mercy Hospital from January 1, 2011 to February 28, 2014 to establish a baseline cohort. From August 1, 2014 to July 31, 2015, a newly designed diagnostic algorithm was used in the ED and patients were prospectively followed. Any patient discharged from the ED received a follow-up phone call. Patients treated for appendicitis before and after pathway implementation were compared. In addition, any patient evaluated for appendicitis after implementation of the algorithm was analyzed for adherence to the clinical pathway. Differences between the 2 groups were analyzed using ANOVA, Wilcoxon Rank Sum, χ, and Fisher Exact tests. RESULTS Of 840 patients seen after implementation of the diagnostic algorithm, 267 were diagnosed with appendicitis. After implementation of the algorithm, CT utilization decreased from 75.4% to 24.2% (P < 0.0001) in patients with appendicitis. CT utilization was 27.3% after implementation, regardless of the ultimate diagnosis or algorithm adherence. The diagnostic pathway had a sensitivity of 98.6% and specificity of 94.4%. CONCLUSIONS Implementation of a diagnostic algorithm for appendicitis in children significantly decreases CT utilization, whereas maintaining a high sensitivity and specificity.
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Benabbas R, Hanna M, Shah J, Sinert R. Diagnostic Accuracy of History, Physical Examination, Laboratory Tests, and Point-of-care Ultrasound for Pediatric Acute Appendicitis in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Acad Emerg Med 2017; 24:523-551. [PMID: 28214369 DOI: 10.1111/acem.13181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common surgical emergency in children. Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial but challenging due to atypical presentations and the inherent difficulty of obtaining a reliable history and physical examination in younger children. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the utility of history, physical examination, laboratory tests, Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS) and Emergency Department Point-of-Care Ultrasound (ED-POCUS) in the diagnosis of AA in ED pediatric patients. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis and used a test-treatment threshold model to identify diagnostic findings that could rule in/out AA and obviate the need for further imaging studies, specifically computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and radiology department ultrasound (RUS). METHODS We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS up to October 2016 for studies on ED pediatric patients with abdominal pain. Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) was used to evaluate the quality and applicability of included studies. Positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR-) for diagnostic modalities were calculated and when appropriate data was pooled using Meta-DiSc. Based on the available literature on the test characteristics of different imaging modalities and applying the Pauker-Kassirer method we developed a test-treatment threshold model. RESULTS Twenty-one studies were included encompassing 8,605 patients with weighted AA prevalence of 39.2%. Studies had variable quality using the QUADAS-2 tool with most studies at high risk of partial verification bias. We divided studies based on their inclusion criteria into two groups of "undifferentiated abdominal pain" and abdominal pain "suspected of AA." In patients with undifferentiated abdominal pain, history of "pain migration to right lower quadrant (RLQ)" (LR+ = 4.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.59-6.44) and presence of "cough/hop pain" in the physical examination (LR+ = 7.64, 95% CI = 5.94-9.83) were most strongly associated with AA. In patients suspected of AA none of the history or laboratory findings were strongly associated with AA. Rovsing's sign was the physical examination finding most strongly associated with AA (LR+ = 3.52, 95% CI = 2.65-4.68). Among different PAS cutoff points, PAS ≥ 9 (LR+ = 5.26, 95% CI = 3.34-8.29) was most associated with AA. None of the history, physical examination, laboratory tests findings, or PAS alone could rule in or rule out AA in patients with undifferentiated abdominal pain or those suspected of AA. ED-POCUS had LR+ of 9.24 (95% CI = 6.24-13.28) and LR- of 0.17 (95% CI = 0.09-0.30). Using our test-treatment threshold model, positive ED-POCUS could rule in AA without the use of CT and MRI, but negative ED-POCUS could not rule out AA. CONCLUSION Presence of AA is more likely in patients with undifferentiated abdominal pain migrating to the RLQ or when cough/hop pain is present in the physical examination. Once AA is suspected, no single history, physical examination, laboratory finding, or score attained on PAS can eliminate the need for imaging studies. Operating characteristics of ED-POCUS are similar to those reported for RUS in literature for diagnosis of AA. In ED patients suspected of AA, a positive ED-POCUS is diagnostic and obviates the need for CT or MRI while negative ED-POCUS is not enough to rule out AA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshanak Benabbas
- Department of Emergency Medicine; State University of New York/SUNY Downstate Medical Center; Brooklyn NY
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Kings County Hospital Center; Brooklyn NY
| | - Mark Hanna
- Department of Pediatrics; State University of New York/SUNY Downstate Medical Center; Brooklyn NY
- Department of Pediatrics; Kings County Hospital Center; Brooklyn NY
| | - Jay Shah
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Kings County Hospital Center; Brooklyn NY
| | - Richard Sinert
- Department of Emergency Medicine; State University of New York/SUNY Downstate Medical Center; Brooklyn NY
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Kings County Hospital Center; Brooklyn NY
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Kabir SA, Kabir SI, Sun R, Jafferbhoy S, Karim A. How to diagnose an acutely inflamed appendix; a systematic review of the latest evidence. Int J Surg 2017; 40:155-162. [PMID: 28279749 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Revised: 02/11/2017] [Accepted: 03/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Acute appendicitis is the most common condition that presents with an acute abdomen needing emergency surgery. Despite this common presentation, correctly diagnosing appendicitis remains a challenge as clinical signs or positive blood results can be absent in 55% of the patients. The reported proportion of missed diagnoses of appendicitis ranges between 20% and 40%. A delay or mis-diagnosis of appendicitis can result in severe complications such as perforation, abscess formation, sepsis, and intra-abdominal adhesions. Literature has shown that patients who had a negative appendectomy suffer post-op complications and infections secondary to hospital stays; there have even been reported cases of fatality. It is therefore crucial that timely and accurate diagnosis of appendicitis is achieved to avoid complications of both non-operating as well as unnecessary surgical intervention. The aim of this review is to systematically report and analyse the latest evidence on the different approaches used in diagnosing appendicitis. We include discussions of clinical scoring systems, laboratory tests, latest innovative bio-markers and radiological imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Kabir
- Department of Surgery, Worcester Royal Hospital, UK.
| | - S I Kabir
- Department of Surgery, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
| | - R Sun
- Department of Surgery, Worcester Royal Hospital, UK
| | | | - Ahmed Karim
- Department of Surgery, Worcester Royal Hospital, UK
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Prada Arias M, Salgado Barreira A, Montero Sánchez M, Fernández Eire P, García Saavedra S, Gómez Veiras J, Fernández Lorenzo JR. [Appendicitis versus non-specific acute abdominal pain: Paediatric Appendicitis Score evaluation]. An Pediatr (Barc) 2017; 88:32-38. [PMID: 28254168 DOI: 10.1016/j.anpedi.2017.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Revised: 01/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Non-specific acute abdominal pain is the most common process requiring differential diagnosis with appendicitis in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to assess the Paediatric Appendicitis Score in differentiating between these two entities. MATERIAL AND METHODS All patients admitted due to suspicion of appendicitis were prospectively evaluated in our hospital over a two-year period. Cases of non-specific acute abdominal pain and appendicitis were enrolled in the study. Several variables were collected, including Score variables and C-reactive protein levels. Descriptive, univariate and multivariate analyses and diagnostic accuracy studies (ROC curves) were performed. RESULTS A total of 275 patients were studied, in which there were 143 cases of non-specific acute abdominal pain and 132 cases of appendicitis. Temperature and right iliac fossa tenderness on palpation were the variables without statistically significant differences, and with no discrimination power between groups. Pain on coughing, hopping, and/or percussion tenderness in the right lower quadrant was the variable with greater association with appendicitis. The Score correctly stratified the patients into risk groups. Substitution of temperature for C-reactive protein in the Score increased diagnostic accuracy, although with no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS The Paediatric Appendicitis Score helps in differential diagnosis between appendicitis and non-specific acute abdominal pain. It would be advisable to replace the temperature in the Score, since it has no discrimination power between these groups. C-reactive protein at a cut-off value of 25.5mg/L value could be used instead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Prada Arias
- Sección de Cirugía Pediátrica, Hospital Universitario Álvaro Cunqueiro, Vigo, Pontevedra, España; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Galicia Sur, Hospital Universitario Álvaro Cunqueiro, Vigo, Pontevedra, España.
| | - Angel Salgado Barreira
- Unidad de apoyo a la Investigación, Hospital Universitario Álvaro Cunqueiro, Vigo, Pontevedra, España; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Galicia Sur, Hospital Universitario Álvaro Cunqueiro, Vigo, Pontevedra, España
| | - Margarita Montero Sánchez
- Sección de Cirugía Pediátrica, Hospital Universitario Álvaro Cunqueiro, Vigo, Pontevedra, España; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Galicia Sur, Hospital Universitario Álvaro Cunqueiro, Vigo, Pontevedra, España
| | - Pilar Fernández Eire
- Sección de Cirugía Pediátrica, Hospital Universitario Álvaro Cunqueiro, Vigo, Pontevedra, España; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Galicia Sur, Hospital Universitario Álvaro Cunqueiro, Vigo, Pontevedra, España
| | - Silvia García Saavedra
- Sección de Cirugía Pediátrica, Hospital Universitario Álvaro Cunqueiro, Vigo, Pontevedra, España
| | - Javier Gómez Veiras
- Sección de Cirugía Pediátrica, Hospital Universitario Álvaro Cunqueiro, Vigo, Pontevedra, España
| | - José Ramón Fernández Lorenzo
- Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario Álvaro Cunqueiro, Vigo, Pontevedra, España; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Galicia Sur, Hospital Universitario Álvaro Cunqueiro, Vigo, Pontevedra, España
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Gross I, Siedner-Weintraub Y, Stibbe S, Rekhtman D, Weiss D, Simanovsky N, Arbell D, Hashavya S. Characteristics of mesenteric lymphadenitis in comparison with those of acute appendicitis in children. Eur J Pediatr 2017; 176:199-205. [PMID: 27987102 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-016-2822-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2016] [Revised: 12/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Mesenteric lymphadenitis (ML) is considered as one of the most common alternative diagnosis in a child with suspected acute appendicitis (AA). In this retrospective study, patients diagnosed with ML (n = 99) were compared in terms of demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings to patients diagnosed with AA (n = 102). This comparison was applied for both lymph nodes smaller and larger than 10 mm. When compared to patients with AA, patients with ML had significantly longer duration of symptoms prior to emergency department (ED) presentation (2.4 ± 2.6 vs 1.4 ± 1.4 days, P = 0.002) and multiple ED presentations (1.3 ± 0.7 vs 1.05 ± 0.3, P < 0.001) and had longer duration of stay in the ED (9.2 ± 5.9 vs 5.2 ± 4 h, P < 0.001), respectively. They also had significantly lower WBC (10.16 ± 4.7 × 103/dl vs 15.8 ± 4.4 × 103/dl, P < 0.001) with lymphocyte predominance (24.6 ± 14 vs 13 ± 8.7%, P < 0.001) and lower CRP levels (0.48 vs 1.6 mg/dl). Migration of pain (28 vs 7%), vomiting (62 vs 34%), and classic abdominal findings of AA (72 vs 20%) were all significantly more common for children with AA. When comparing lymph node size, no significant difference was found between those presenting with small and large nodes. CONCLUSION This study highlights multiple clinical and laboratory findings that differentiate ML and AA. Moreover, the absence of any difference with regard to the lymph nodes size might suggest that lymph nodes enlargement is a non-specific finding. What is Known : • Mesenteric lymphadenitis is a very common diagnosis in children with suspected acute appendicitis. • Despite its prevalence, only few studies addressed the clinical characteristics of this clinical entity and their comparison with acute appendicitis. What is New: • Mesenteric lymphadenitis and acute appendicitis could be differentiated by multiple clinical and laboratory parameters. • No significant difference was found between those presenting with small and large lymph nodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itai Gross
- Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah Medical Center, Ein Kerem, Kiryat Hadassah, POB 12000, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Yael Siedner-Weintraub
- Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah Medical Center, Ein Kerem, Kiryat Hadassah, POB 12000, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shir Stibbe
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - David Rekhtman
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Daniel Weiss
- Department of General Surgery, Hadassah and Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Natalia Simanovsky
- Medical Imaging, Hadassah and Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Dan Arbell
- Pediatric Surgery, Hadassah and Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Saar Hashavya
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
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Abstract
Abdominal pain is a common complaint that leads to pediatric patients seeking emergency care. The emergency care provider has the arduous task of determining which child likely has a benign cause and not missing the devastating condition that needs emergent attention. This article reviews common benign causes of abdominal pain as well as some of the cannot-miss emergent causes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremiah Smith
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Boulevard, MEB Floor 3, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA.
| | - Sean M Fox
- Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Boulevard, MEB Floor 3, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA
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