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Mán E, Szilágyi A, Simonka Z, Rárosi F, Pető Z, Lázár G. Validation of the modified Alvarado score on patients attending A&E units with suspected appendicitis. BMC Emerg Med 2023; 23:87. [PMID: 37563578 PMCID: PMC10413638 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-023-00846-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of our prospective study was to confirm validity and diagnostic accuracy of the modified Alvarado score, which was developed at the Department of Surgery, University of Szeged, on patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of acute appendicitis (right lower quadrant complaints) at the A&E department. PATIENT POPULATION, METHODS 138 patients were included in our study between 01.01.2019 and 01.01.2020. For patients attending A&E, the first medic calculated and recorded the modified Alvarado score before surgical consultation. The consulting surgeon decided on further treatment without knowing the score. Validation of the score was based on the pathology report of the removed appendix (whether the operation was warranted, and if the score also supported indication for surgery), if there was readmission or surgery due to worsening symptoms after discharge from A&E. We also examined if there was any connection between the value of the Alvarado score and the severity of inflammation. Our aim was to prove that using modified Alvarado score at the A&E Units helps to reduce patient's waiting time and avoid unnecessary surgical consultations. Furthermore our study included measuring the diagnostic accuracy of the ultrasound examination (specificity, sensitivity). RESULTS Based on the results, patients presenting at A&E had a mean modified Alvarado score of 6.5. Comparing the score to histological results showed that the specificity of the modified Alvarado score was 100%, and its sensitivity was 80.7%. Based on Spearman's rank correlation (0.796) and ROC analysis (AUC 0.968), the modified Alvarado score has an excellent predictive value in diagnosing acute appendicitis. When comparing the patients' waiting times with the use of modified Alvarado score and without it we found that there was a significant difference in group also in group under 4 points and in group over 7 points when using modified Alvarado score, so the diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm should be much quicker with the help of the score. We found a correlation between the severity of inflammation based on the Fisher's exact test. Rank correlation of the same question also showed a significant connection. All patients had an US examination during their diagnostic course, its sensitivity was 82.6%, specificity was 87%. Based on this, we can conclude that the predictive value of the imaging method is good. CONCLUSIONS We can conclude according to our results that the predictive value of the modified score is excellent, and it can be safely applied by non-surgeons in urgent care in the differential diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The new score incorporates the results of an easily obtainable, ionising radiation free imaging method, the ultrasound, which was not included in previous scores. With the help of the new score, the number of unnecessary surgical referrals and waiting times for patients are reduced, excess examinations will become avoidable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eszter Mán
- Department of Surgery, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Semmelweis Street 8, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - András Szilágyi
- Department of Surgery, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Semmelweis Street 8, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Simonka
- Department of Surgery, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Semmelweis Street 8, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Rárosi
- Department of Medical Physics and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Pető
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - György Lázár
- Department of Surgery, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Semmelweis Street 8, Szeged, Hungary
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Kambadakone AR, Santillan CS, Kim DH, Fowler KJ, Birkholz JH, Camacho MA, Cash BD, Dane B, Felker RA, Grossman EJ, Korngold EK, Liu PS, Marin D, McCrary M, Pietryga JA, Weinstein S, Zukotynski K, Carucci LR. ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Right Lower Quadrant Pain: 2022 Update. J Am Coll Radiol 2022; 19:S445-S461. [PMID: 36436969 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2022.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
This document focuses on imaging in the adult and pregnant populations with right lower quadrant (RLQ) abdominal pain, including patients with fever and leukocytosis. Appendicitis remains the most common surgical pathology responsible for RLQ abdominal pain in the United States. Other causes of RLQ pain include right colonic diverticulitis, ureteral stone, and infectious enterocolitis. Appropriate imaging in the diagnosis of appendicitis has resulted in decreased negative appendectomy rate from as high as 25% to approximately 1% to 3%. Contrast-enhanced CT remains the primary and most appropriate imaging modality to evaluate this patient population. MRI is approaching CT in sensitivity and specificity as this technology becomes more widely available and utilization increases. Unenhanced MRI and ultrasound remain the diagnostic procedures of choice in the pregnant patient. MRI and ultrasound continue to perform best in the hands of the experts. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer-reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances in which peer-reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avinash R Kambadakone
- Division Chief, Abdominal Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Medical Director, Martha's Vineyard Hospital Imaging.
| | - Cynthia S Santillan
- Vice Chair of Clinical Operations, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - David H Kim
- Panel Chair; Vice Chair of Education, Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Kathryn J Fowler
- Panel Vice-Chair, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California. ACR LI-RADS; Division Chief, SAR Portfolio Director; RSNA Radiology Senior DE
| | - James H Birkholz
- Divisional Director, Quality and Safety (Abdominal Imaging), Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania. Radiology Representative to the Interdisciplinary Dysmotility (GIMIG) Conference
| | - Marc A Camacho
- The University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida; Committee on Emergency Radiology-GSER
| | - Brooks D Cash
- Chief of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Division, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas; American Gastroenterological Association
| | - Bari Dane
- Director of Body CT, Abdominal Imaging; Director of Quality and Safety Outpatient Imaging, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Robin A Felker
- Associate Clerkship Director for Internal Medicine, Georgetown University; Primary care physician, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Eric J Grossman
- Medical Director, Multi-Specialty Clinic, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara, California; American College of Surgeons
| | - Elena K Korngold
- Section Chief, Body Imaging, Chair, Department of Radiology Promotion and Tenure Committee, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Peter S Liu
- Section Head, Abdominal Imaging, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Daniele Marin
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Marion McCrary
- Associate Director of Duke GME Coaching, Duke Signature Care, Durham, North Carolina; American College of Physicians; Governor-Elect, American College of Physicians North Carolina Chapter
| | | | | | - Katherine Zukotynski
- Co-Associate Chair for Research, Department of Radiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Commission on Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
| | - Laura R Carucci
- Specialty Chair; Section Chief Abdominal Imaging, Director of MRI and CT, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia
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Diagnostic performance of US for suspected appendicitis: Does multi-categorical reporting provide better estimates of disease in adults, and what factors are associated with false or indeterminate results? Eur J Radiol 2021; 144:109992. [PMID: 34634535 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2021.109992] [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] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify factors associated with false or indeterminate US result for suspected appendicitis, and assess whether multi-categorical reporting of US yields more precise estimates regarding the probability of appendicitis. METHODS 562 US examinations for suspected appendicitis between May 2013-April 2015 were categorized as true (77/562 true positives or true negatives) or false/indeterminate (485/562 false negatives, false positives or indeterminates) based on results from a prior study. Of 541 examinations with images available retrospectively, a category of A-E was assigned as follows: non-visualized appendix with secondary findings (A) absent or (B) present; appendix visualized and considered (C) negative, (D) equivocal, or (E) positive for appendicitis. The following factors were recorded: age; sex; scan time (daytime vs. off-hours); resident/fellow involvement; abdominal subspecialty radiologist; radiologist experience (>5 years or not); and tenderness on interrogation. Associations between factors and US result were assessed (t-tests, Fisher's exact test and multivariate logistic regression). RESULTS The true group had proportionally more males (18/77 (23.4%) vs. 66/485 (13.6%), p = 0.04) and patients with sonographic tenderness (43/77 (55.8%) vs. 132/353 (27.3%), p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference or association with other factors. On multivariate logistic regression, false/indeterminate results were 1.9 times (95% CIs 1.0-3.5) more likely among females and 3.8 times more likely in the absence of tenderness (95% CIs 2.3-6.4). The proportion of patients with appendicitis in categories A-E was 34/410 (8.3%), 24/44 (54.5%), 0/18 (0%), 0/3 (0%) and 61/66 (92.4%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Females and absence of tenderness were associated with a false/indeterminate US. Categorical reporting provides more granular estimates of the post-test probability of appendicitis.
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Podda M, Pisanu A, Sartelli M, Coccolini F, Damaskos D, Augustin G, Khan M, Pata F, De Simone B, Ansaloni L, Catena F, Di Saverio S. Diagnosis of acute appendicitis based on clinical scores: is it a myth or reality? ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2021; 92:e2021231. [PMID: 34487066 PMCID: PMC8477120 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v92i4.11666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Podda
- Department of Emergency Surgery, Cagliari University Hospital "Duilio Casula", Cagliari (Italy).
| | - Adolfo Pisanu
- Department of Emergency Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Cagliari, University Hospital Policlinico "Duilio Casula", Cagliari, Italy.
| | | | - Federico Coccolini
- General, Emergency and Trauma Surgery, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Dimitrios Damaskos
- Department of Upper GI Surgery, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
| | - Goran Augustin
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Centre of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Mansoor Khan
- Department of General and Trauma Surgery, Brighton and Sussex University Hospital NHS Trust, Brighton, United Kingdom.
| | - Francesco Pata
- Department of Surgery, Nicola Giannettasio Hospital, Corigliano-Rossano.
| | - Belinda De Simone
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal Poissy/Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Poissy, France.
| | - Luca Ansaloni
- Department of Surgery, "San Matteo" University Hospital, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Fausto Catena
- Emergency and Trauma Surgery Department, Maggiore Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Salomone Di Saverio
- Department of General Surgery, University of Insubria, University Hospital of Varese, ASST Sette Laghi, Regione Lombardia, Varese, Italy..
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Song H, Lee S, Park JH, Kim HY, Min HD, Jeon JJ, Lee KH. Can Patient Triaging with Clinical Scoring Systems Reduce CT Use in Adolescents and Young Adults Suspected of Having Appendicitis? Radiology 2021; 300:350-358. [PMID: 34003054 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2021203884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background There are ongoing efforts to reduce CT radiation exposure for the diagnosis of appendicitis. Recent guidelines recommend using clinical scoring systems to triage patients who need imaging examinations. Purpose To determine whether patient triaging with scoring systems can reduce CT use without a loss of diagnostic accuracy in adolescents and young adults suspected of having appendicitis. Materials and Methods This retrospective study used data from a previous multicenter randomized controlled trial conducted between December 2013 and August 2016. Five scoring systems (adult appendicitis, appendicitis inflammatory response, modified Alvarado, Broek, and Christian scores) were used to categorize patients into low-, intermediate-, or high-probability groups. CT use was simulated for only the intermediate-probability group. The primary outcomes were CT reduction rate, sensitivity, and specificity. The CT reduction rate was defined as the proportion of patients in low- and high-probability groups who would not have to undergo CT among all patients. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated in the overall diagnostic pathway using each scoring system and subsequent CT. As a secondary analysis, to maintain the diagnostic accuracy to a level of when CT was used for all patients with suspected appendicitis, new cutoff values for probability group stratification targeting 97.6% sensitivity and 94.9% specificity were applied for each of the scoring systems. Results A total of 2888 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 28 years ± 9; 1580 women and 1308 men) with suspected appendicitis were evaluated, of whom 1088 had and 1800 did not have appendicitis. The CT reduction rates of the five scoring systems ranged from 55.6% (1606 of 2888 patients) to 71.1% (2053 of 2888), but at the cost of sensitivity (range, 48.7% [530 of 1088] to 81.2% [883 of 1088]) and specificity (range, 79.0% [1422 of 1800] to 97.8% [1761 of 1800]). Targeting 97.6% sensitivity and 94.9% specificity, the CT reduction rates of all five scoring systems were 0% (0 of 2888). Conclusion Using clinical scoring systems in triaging patients for selective CT use led to a considerable loss of diagnostic accuracy. © RSNA, 2021 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Mellnick in this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunjoo Song
- From the School of Computer Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea (H.S.); Department of Applied Bioengineering, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology (S.L., J.H.P., K.H.L.) and Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering (K.H.L.), Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea; Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82 Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, Korea (J.H.P., H.Y.K., H.D.M., K.H.L.); Department of Statistics, University of Seoul, Seoul, Korea (J.J.J.)
| | - Seungjae Lee
- From the School of Computer Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea (H.S.); Department of Applied Bioengineering, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology (S.L., J.H.P., K.H.L.) and Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering (K.H.L.), Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea; Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82 Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, Korea (J.H.P., H.Y.K., H.D.M., K.H.L.); Department of Statistics, University of Seoul, Seoul, Korea (J.J.J.)
| | - Ji Hoon Park
- From the School of Computer Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea (H.S.); Department of Applied Bioengineering, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology (S.L., J.H.P., K.H.L.) and Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering (K.H.L.), Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea; Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82 Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, Korea (J.H.P., H.Y.K., H.D.M., K.H.L.); Department of Statistics, University of Seoul, Seoul, Korea (J.J.J.)
| | - Hae Young Kim
- From the School of Computer Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea (H.S.); Department of Applied Bioengineering, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology (S.L., J.H.P., K.H.L.) and Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering (K.H.L.), Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea; Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82 Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, Korea (J.H.P., H.Y.K., H.D.M., K.H.L.); Department of Statistics, University of Seoul, Seoul, Korea (J.J.J.)
| | - Hooney Daniel Min
- From the School of Computer Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea (H.S.); Department of Applied Bioengineering, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology (S.L., J.H.P., K.H.L.) and Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering (K.H.L.), Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea; Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82 Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, Korea (J.H.P., H.Y.K., H.D.M., K.H.L.); Department of Statistics, University of Seoul, Seoul, Korea (J.J.J.)
| | - Jong-June Jeon
- From the School of Computer Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea (H.S.); Department of Applied Bioengineering, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology (S.L., J.H.P., K.H.L.) and Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering (K.H.L.), Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea; Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82 Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, Korea (J.H.P., H.Y.K., H.D.M., K.H.L.); Department of Statistics, University of Seoul, Seoul, Korea (J.J.J.)
| | - Kyoung Ho Lee
- From the School of Computer Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea (H.S.); Department of Applied Bioengineering, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology (S.L., J.H.P., K.H.L.) and Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering (K.H.L.), Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea; Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82 Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, Korea (J.H.P., H.Y.K., H.D.M., K.H.L.); Department of Statistics, University of Seoul, Seoul, Korea (J.J.J.)
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- From the School of Computer Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea (H.S.); Department of Applied Bioengineering, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology (S.L., J.H.P., K.H.L.) and Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering (K.H.L.), Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea; Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82 Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, Korea (J.H.P., H.Y.K., H.D.M., K.H.L.); Department of Statistics, University of Seoul, Seoul, Korea (J.J.J.)
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Mantoglu B, Gonullu E, Akdeniz Y, Yigit M, Firat N, Akin E, Altintoprak F, Erkorkmaz U. Which appendicitis scoring system is most suitable for pregnant patients? A comparison of nine different systems. World J Emerg Surg 2020; 15:34. [PMID: 32423408 PMCID: PMC7236497 DOI: 10.1186/s13017-020-00310-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis is the most common non-gynecological emergency during pregnancy. The diagnosis of appendicitis during pregnancy is challenging due to changes in both physiological and laboratory variables. Guidelines suggest patients with suspected acute appendicitis should be stratified based on clinical scoring systems, to optimize the use of diagnostic imaging and prevent unnecessary surgery. Surgeons require additional information beyond that provided by imaging studies before deciding upon exploratory laparoscopy in patients with a high suspicion of appendicitis. Various scoring methods have been evaluated for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. However, there is no consensus on a method to use during pregnancy, and a detailed comparison of existing scoring methods for this purpose has not yet been conducted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the most popular scoring systems applied to diagnose acute appendicitis during pregnancy. METHODS This single-center retrospective study included 79 pregnant patients who were admitted to the emergency department with abdominal pain between May 2014 and May 2019. The patients were diagnosed with acute appendicitis and underwent an appendectomy. As a control group, the study also included 79 non-pregnant patients who underwent appendectomy within the last 1.5 years. To ensure that the groups were similar, women in the case group were stratified according to age, and the proportions of women in the strata were determined. The women in the control group were similarly stratified. Women were randomly selected from the strata to prevent bias. Both laboratory and examination findings required for each scoring method were obtained and assessed separately for each patient. Negative appendectomy rates were evaluated according to pathology results. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test. A p value < 0.05 was considered to indicate significance. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was used to identify the best threshold value and to assess the performance of the test scores in terms of diagnosing appendicitis. RESULTS Among all scoring systems, the Tzanakis score was most efficacious at predicting appendicitis in non-pregnant women. The positive predictive value (PPV) of the Tzanakis score was 90.6%, whereas the negative predictive value (NPV) was 46.7%. The RIPASA score performed the best among the scoring systems in pregnant women. It was associated with a PPV of 94.40%, NPV of 44%, and sensitivity and specificity of 78.46% and 78.57%, respectively. CONCLUSION Although the RIPASA score can be used to efficaciously diagnose acute appendicitis in pregnant women, a specific scoring system is needed for diagnosis during the gestation period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baris Mantoglu
- Department of General Surgery, Sakarya University Educating and Research Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey.
| | - Emre Gonullu
- Department of General Surgery, Sakarya University Educating and Research Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Yesim Akdeniz
- Department of General Surgery, Sakarya University Educating and Research Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Merve Yigit
- Department of General Surgery, Sakarya University Educating and Research Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Necattin Firat
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Emrah Akin
- Department of General Surgery, Sakarya University Educating and Research Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Fatih Altintoprak
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Unal Erkorkmaz
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey
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Jha P, Espinoza N, Webb E, Kohli M, Poder L, Morgan T. Single institutional experience with initial ultrasound followed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging for acute appendicitis in adults. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2019; 44:2357-2365. [PMID: 30949783 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-019-01998-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The objectives of this study was to assess the performance of ultrasound (US) for suspected appendicitis in adult patients and to evaluated the additive value of short-interval (within 1 week) computed tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) after performing an initial US. METHODS In this IRB-approved, HIPAA-compliant, retrospective study, electronic medical records (EMRs) were queried for "US appendicitis" performed over a 2-year interval. EMR was reviewed for CT or MRI performed within 1 week of this exam, and if any new or additional information was available at subsequent exam. White count, patient disposition, and pathology, if surgery was performed, were also recorded. RESULTS 682 patients underwent US for appendicitis over a 2-year duration, age range from 18 to 92 years (average: 30.1 years, M:F = 141:541). Findings showed 126/682 patients with normal appendix, 75/682 uncomplicated appendicitis, and 4/682 with complicated appendicitis. When performed, no additional findings were seen in these groups on short-interval CT or MRI. 2/682 patients had equivocal findings on US but eventually had normal appendix identified on CT. Four hundred and seventy-three patients had non-visualized appendix, of which only 14/473 (3.1%) eventually had appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS Ultrasound is an effective initial modality for evaluating appendicitis even in adult patients. Once a normal appendix, uncomplicated or complicated appendicitis is identified on US, no further imaging is necessary. Very few patients with non-visualization of the appendix eventually have appendicitis. Hence, these patients can be managed with active clinical follow-up rather than immediate CT or MRI. Symptoms and clinical scoring systems can be used for triage of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Jha
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, Box 0628, San Francisco, CA, 94131, USA.
| | - Nora Espinoza
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, Box 0628, San Francisco, CA, 94131, USA
| | - Emily Webb
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, Box 0628, San Francisco, CA, 94131, USA
| | - Marc Kohli
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, Box 0628, San Francisco, CA, 94131, USA
| | - Liina Poder
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, Box 0628, San Francisco, CA, 94131, USA
| | - Tara Morgan
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, Box 0628, San Francisco, CA, 94131, USA
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Garcia EM, Camacho MA, Karolyi DR, Kim DH, Cash BD, Chang KJ, Feig BW, Fowler KJ, Kambadakone AR, Lambert DL, Levy AD, Marin D, Moreno C, Peterson CM, Scheirey CD, Siegel A, Smith MP, Weinstein S, Carucci LR. ACR Appropriateness Criteria ® Right Lower Quadrant Pain-Suspected Appendicitis. J Am Coll Radiol 2019; 15:S373-S387. [PMID: 30392606 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2018.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Appendicitis remains the most common surgical pathology responsible for right lower quadrant (RLQ) abdominal pain presenting to emergency departments in the United States, where the incidence continues to increase. Appropriate imaging in the diagnosis of appendicitis has resulted in decreased negative appendectomy rate from as high as 25% to approximately 1% to 3%. Contrast-enhanced CT remains the primary and most appropriate imaging modality to evaluate this patient population. MRI is approaching CT in sensitivity and specificity as this technology becomes more widely available and utilization increases. Unenhanced MRI and ultrasound remain the diagnostic procedures of choice in the pregnant patient. MRI and ultrasound continue to perform best in the hands of experts. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Evelyn M Garcia
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia.
| | - Marc A Camacho
- The University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida
| | | | - David H Kim
- Panel Chair, University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Brooks D Cash
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas; American Gastroenterological Association
| | | | - Barry W Feig
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; American College of Surgeons
| | | | | | - Drew L Lambert
- University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Angela D Levy
- Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Daniele Marin
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | | | | | - Alan Siegel
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Martin P Smith
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Laura R Carucci
- Specialty Chair, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia
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Eng KA, Abadeh A, Ligocki C, Lee YK, Moineddin R, Adams-Webber T, Schuh S, Doria AS. Acute Appendicitis: A Meta-Analysis of the Diagnostic Accuracy of US, CT, and MRI as Second-Line Imaging Tests after an Initial US. Radiology 2018; 288:717-727. [DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2018180318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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10
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Sonography of the Cecum: Gateway to the Right Lower Quadrant. Ultrasound Q 2018; 34:133-140. [PMID: 29346264 DOI: 10.1097/ruq.0000000000000332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Sonography of the cecum has come of age largely as a consequence of the successful evolution of appendiceal sonography as a useful tool in the evaluation of patients with right lower-quadrant pain. At some medical centers, graded-compression sonography (GCS) has become the initial imaging study of choice in the assessment of these individuals. The cecum serves as a helpful anatomic landmark for localization of the appendix in these examinations-providing a sonographic starting point in the search for the appendix. During GCS, primary pathology within the cecum itself can become evident, including a variety of processes, such as infectious, inflammatory, or neoplastic disorders, whose presentations commonly mimic that of appendicitis. The accurate diagnosis of cecal abnormalities and their differentiation from acute appendicitis play valuable roles in the management of affected patients because the options for further workup and subsequent treatment vary greatly according to the diagnosis at hand. Additionally, the compressed cecum often becomes an acoustic window into the right lower quadrant, revealing pathology apart from the appendix within the right iliac fossa. The purpose of this pictorial essay is to highlight the importance and value of performing a careful evaluation of the cecum during GCS of patients with suspected appendicitis and to review the differential diagnosis and imaging findings of primary cecal abnormalities whose clinical presentations can mimic that of acute appendicitis.
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A prospective non-randomized controlled, multicenter trial comparing Appendectomy and Conservative Treatment for Patients with Uncomplicated Acute Appendicitis (the ACTUAA study). Int J Colorectal Dis 2017; 32:1649-1660. [PMID: 28812175 DOI: 10.1007/s00384-017-2878-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Acute appendicitis (AA) is among the most common causes of lower abdominal pain and admissions to the emergency department. Over the past 20 years, there has been a renewed interest in the conservative management of uncomplicated AA, and several studies demonstrated that an antibiotic-first strategy is a viable treatment option for uncomplicated AA. The aim of this prospective non-randomized controlled, multicenter trial is to compare antibiotic therapy and emergency appendectomy as treatment for patients with uncomplicated AA confirmed by US and/or CT or MRI scan. METHODS All adult patients in the age range 18 to 65 years with suspected AA, consecutively admitted to the Surgical Department of the 13 participating Italian Hospitals, will be invited to take part in the study. A multicenter prospective collected registry developed by surgeons, radiologists, and pathologists with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis represents the best research method to assess the long-term role of antibiotics in the management of the disease. Comparison will be made between surgical and antibiotic-first approaches to uncomplicated AA through the analysis of the primary outcome measure of complication-free treatment success rate based on 1-year follow-up. Quality of life, length of hospital stay, pain evaluation, and time to return to normal activity will be evaluated as secondary outcome measures. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT03080103.
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12
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A highly sensitive and specific combined clinical and sonographic score to diagnose appendicitis. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2017; 83:643-649. [PMID: 28459797 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000001551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Computed tomography (CT) scanning reduces the negative appendectomy rate however it exposes the patient to ionizing radiation. Ultrasound (US) does not carry this risk but may be nondiagnostic. We hypothesized that a clinical-US scoring system would improve diagnostic accuracy. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of all patients (age, >15 years) who presented through the emergency department with suspected appendicitis and underwent initial US. A US score was developed using odds ratios for appendicitis given appendiceal diameter, compressibility, hyperemia, free fluid, and focal or diffuse tenderness. The US score was then combined with the Alvarado score. Final diagnosis of appendicitis was assigned by pathology reports. RESULTS Three hundred patients who underwent US as initial imaging were identified. Thirty-two patients with evident nonappendiceal pathology on US were excluded. In 114 (38%), the appendix was not visualized and partially visualized in 36 (12%). Fifty-seven (21.3%) had an appendectomy with 1 (1.7%) negative. Six nonvisualized appendicies underwent appendectomy, with no negative cases. Sensitivity and specificity for the sonographic score were 86% and 90%, respectively, at a score of 1.5. The combined score demonstrated 98% sensitivity and 82% specificity at 6.5, and 95% sensitivity, and 87% specificity at a score of 7.5. Sensitivity and specificity were confirmed by bootstrap resampling for validation. Area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for our new US score were similar to the ROC curve for the Alvarado score (91.9 and 91.1, p = 0.8). The combined US and Alvarado score yielded an area under the ROC curve of 97.1, significantly better than either score alone (p = 0.017 and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION Our scoring system based entirely on US findings was highly sensitive and specific for appendicitis, and it significantly improved when combined with the Alvarado score. After prospective evaluation, the combined US-Alvarado score might replace the need for computed tomography imaging in a majority of patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Diagnostic Test, Level III.
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13
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Anatomic Reasons for Failure to Visualize the Appendix With Graded Compression Sonography: Insights From Contemporaneous CT. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2017; 209:W128-W138. [PMID: 28829172 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.17.18059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to identify the anatomic locations of appendixes on CT when graded compression sonography fails to visualize the appendix. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 197 patients with suspected appendicitis whose appendixes were not visualized on graded compression sonography performed with typically used transducers of at least 10 MHz, who underwent CT within 48 hours following graded compression sonography, and who had available either pathologic examination following surgery or 6-week follow-up if surgery was not performed. Appendixes were retrospectively localized using four transverse quadrants (including the posteromedial quadrant) centered on the ileocecal valve and projected vertically, the craniocaudal level relative to the iliac crests, and the depth of the appendix as measured from the surface of the skin. Data were assessed using the Fisher exact test, t test, multinomial test, binomial distribution, ANOVA, and linear regression. RESULTS Appendixes were most frequently located in the posteromedial quadrant (123 of 197 patients [62.4%]; 95% CI, 55.3-69.2%) at a statistically significantly greater frequency than that expected by chance (p < 0.00001). Appendixes were located above the iliac crests in 19.8% of patients (39/197; 95% CI, 14.5-26.1%) and at depths exceeding the penetration of typical transducers of at least 10 MHz in 19.3% of patients (38/197; 95% CI, 14.0-25.5%). All appendixes (95% CI, 98.1-100.0%) were located within the range of 6-MHz transducers. CONCLUSION Appendixes that are not visualized on graded compression sonography are most frequently located in the posteromedial quadrant and are often located above the iliac crests or at depths too great for visualization with typically used transducers of at least 10 MHz. Accordingly, when the appendix is not visualized on graded compression sonography, targeted scanning of the posteromedial quadrant and the region above the iliac crests, and scanning with 6-MHz transducers, may enable visualization of the appendix and are recommended additions to scanning protocols.
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Yoo HY, Choi J, Kim J, Chai YJ, Shin R, Ahn HS, Lim CS, Lee HW, Hwang KT, Jung IM, Chung JK, Heo SC. Unexpected Appendiceal Pathologies and Their Changes With the Expanding Use of Preoperative Imaging Studies. Ann Coloproctol 2017; 33:99-105. [PMID: 28761870 PMCID: PMC5534502 DOI: 10.3393/ac.2017.33.3.99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis is often challenging. Sometimes, pathologic results of the appendix embarrass or confuse surgeons. Therefore, more and more imaging studies are being performed to increase the accuracy of appendicitis diagnoses preoperatively. However, data on the effect of this increase in preoperative imaging studies on diagnostic accuracy are limited. We performed this study to explore unexpected appendiceal pathologies and to delineate the role of preoperative imaging studies in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Methods The medical records of 4,673 patients who underwent an appendectomy for assumed appendicitis between 1997 and 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. Pathological results and preoperative imaging studies were surveyed, and the frequencies of pathological results and preoperative imaging studies were investigated. Results The overall rate of pathology compatible with acute appendicitis was 84.4%. Unexpected pathological findings, such as normal histology, specific inflammations other than acute appendicitis, neoplastic lesions, and other pathologies, comprised 9.6%, 3.3%, 1.2%, and 1.5%, respectively. The rate of unexpected pathological results was significantly reduced because of the increase in preoperative imaging studies. The decrease in normal appendices contributed the most to the reduction while other unexpected pathologies did not change significantly despite the increased use of imaging studies. This decrease in normal appendices was significant in both male and female patients under the age of 60 years, but the differences in females were more prominent. Conclusion Unexpected appendiceal pathologies comprised 15.6% of the cases. Preoperative imaging studies reduced them by decreasing the negative appendectomy rate of patients with normal appendices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yeol Yoo
- Department of Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government - Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jaewoo Choi
- Department of Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government - Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jongjin Kim
- Department of Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government - Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Jun Chai
- Department of Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government - Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Rumi Shin
- Department of Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government - Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye Seong Ahn
- Department of Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government - Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang-Sup Lim
- Department of Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government - Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hae Won Lee
- Department of Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government - Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ki-Tae Hwang
- Department of Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government - Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - In Mok Jung
- Department of Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government - Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung Kee Chung
- Department of Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government - Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Chul Heo
- Department of Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government - Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
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Di Saverio S, Birindelli A, Kelly MD, Catena F, Weber DG, Sartelli M, Sugrue M, De Moya M, Gomes CA, Bhangu A, Agresta F, Moore EE, Soreide K, Griffiths E, De Castro S, Kashuk J, Kluger Y, Leppaniemi A, Ansaloni L, Andersson M, Coccolini F, Coimbra R, Gurusamy KS, Campanile FC, Biffl W, Chiara O, Moore F, Peitzman AB, Fraga GP, Costa D, Maier RV, Rizoli S, Balogh ZJ, Bendinelli C, Cirocchi R, Tonini V, Piccinini A, Tugnoli G, Jovine E, Persiani R, Biondi A, Scalea T, Stahel P, Ivatury R, Velmahos G, Andersson R. WSES Jerusalem guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis. World J Emerg Surg 2016; 11:34. [PMID: 27437029 PMCID: PMC4949879 DOI: 10.1186/s13017-016-0090-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute appendicitis (AA) is among the most common cause of acute abdominal pain. Diagnosis of AA is challenging; a variable combination of clinical signs and symptoms has been used together with laboratory findings in several scoring systems proposed for suggesting the probability of AA and the possible subsequent management pathway. The role of imaging in the diagnosis of AA is still debated, with variable use of US, CT and MRI in different settings worldwide. Up to date, comprehensive clinical guidelines for diagnosis and management of AA have never been issued. In July 2015, during the 3rd World Congress of the WSES, held in Jerusalem (Israel), a panel of experts including an Organizational Committee and Scientific Committee and Scientific Secretariat, participated to a Consensus Conference where eight panelists presented a number of statements developed for each of the eight main questions about diagnosis and management of AA. The statements were then voted, eventually modified and finally approved by the participants to The Consensus Conference and lately by the board of co-authors. The current paper is reporting the definitive Guidelines Statements on each of the following topics: 1) Diagnostic efficiency of clinical scoring systems, 2) Role of Imaging, 3) Non-operative treatment for uncomplicated appendicitis, 4) Timing of appendectomy and in-hospital delay, 5) Surgical treatment 6) Scoring systems for intra-operative grading of appendicitis and their clinical usefulness 7) Non-surgical treatment for complicated appendicitis: abscess or phlegmon 8) Pre-operative and post-operative antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arianna Birindelli
- S. Orsola Malpighi University Hospital - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Micheal D Kelly
- Locum Surgeon, Acute Surgical Unit, Canberra Hospital, Canberra, ACT Australia
| | - Fausto Catena
- Emergency and Trauma Surgery Department, Maggiore Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Dieter G Weber
- Trauma and General Surgeon Royal Perth Hospital & The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | | | | | - Mark De Moya
- Harvard Medical School - Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Carlos Augusto Gomes
- Department of Surgery Hospital Universitario, Universidade General de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil
| | - Aneel Bhangu
- Academic Department of Surgery, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Edgabaston, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Ernest E Moore
- Denver Health System - Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, USA
| | - Kjetil Soreide
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Ewen Griffiths
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Jeffry Kashuk
- Department of Surgery, University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yoram Kluger
- Division of General Surgery, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ari Leppaniemi
- Abdominal Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Luca Ansaloni
- General Surgery I, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Manne Andersson
- Department of Surgery, Linkoping University, Linkoping, Sweden
| | | | - Raul Coimbra
- UCSD Health System - Hillcrest Campus Department of Surgery Chief Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns, and Acute Care Surgery, San Diego, CA USA
| | | | | | - Walter Biffl
- Queen's Medical Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI USA
| | | | | | - Andrew B Peitzman
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC-Presbyterian, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Gustavo P Fraga
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM) - Unicamp, Campinas, SP Brazil
| | | | - Ronald V Maier
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA USA
| | | | - Zsolt J Balogh
- Department of Traumatology, John Hunter Hospital and University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW Australia
| | - Cino Bendinelli
- Department of Traumatology, John Hunter Hospital and University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW Australia
| | - Roberto Cirocchi
- Department of Surgery, Terni Hospital, University of Perugia, Terni, Italy
| | - Valeria Tonini
- S. Orsola Malpighi University Hospital - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alice Piccinini
- Trauma Surgery Unit - Maggiore Hospital AUSL, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Elio Jovine
- Department of Surgery, Maggiore Hospital AUSL, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Persiani
- Catholic University, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Biondi
- Department of Surgery, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Philip Stahel
- Denver Health System - Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, USA
| | - Rao Ivatury
- Professor Emeritus Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA USA
| | - George Velmahos
- Harvard Medical School - Chief of Trauma, Emergency Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
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How to diagnose acute appendicitis: ultrasound first. Insights Imaging 2016; 7:255-63. [PMID: 26883138 PMCID: PMC4805616 DOI: 10.1007/s13244-016-0469-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute appendicitis (AA) is a common abdominal emergency with a lifetime prevalence of about 7 %. As the clinical diagnosis of AA remains a challenge to emergency physicians and surgeons, imaging modalities have gained major importance in the diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected AA in order to keep both the negative appendectomy rate and the perforation rate low. Introduced in 1986, graded-compression ultrasound (US) has well-established direct and indirect signs for diagnosing AA. In our opinion, US should be the first-line imaging modality, as graded-compression US has excellent specificity both in the paediatric and adult patient populations. As US sensitivity is limited, and non-diagnostic US examinations with non-visualization of the appendix are more a rule than an exception, diagnostic strategies and algorithms after non-diagnostic US should focus on clinical reassessment and complementary imaging with MRI/CT if indicated. Accordingly, both ionizing radiation to our patients and cost of pre-therapeutic diagnosis of AA will be low, with low negative appendectomy and perforation rates. Main Messages • Ultrasound (US) should be the first imaging modality for diagnosing acute appendicitis (AA). • Primary US for AA diagnosis will decrease ionizing radiation and cost. • Sensitivity of US to diagnose AA is lower than of CT/MRI. • Non-visualization of the appendix should lead to clinical reassessment. • Complementary MRI or CT may be performed if diagnosis remains unclear.
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Athans BS, Depinet HE, Towbin AJ, Zhang Y, Zhang B, Trout AT. Use of Clinical Data to Predict Appendicitis in Patients with Equivocal US Findings. Radiology 2016; 280:557-67. [PMID: 26878226 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2016151412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To determine the incremental value of clinical data in patients with ultrasonographic (US) examinations that were interpreted as being equivocal for acute appendicitis. Materials and Methods Institutional review board approval, with a waiver of informed consent, was obtained for this analysis of clinical and imaging data in patients younger than 18 years old who were evaluated for acute appendicitis. Findings from US examinations were reported in a structured fashion, including two possible equivocal impressions. Clinical data were captured as Pediatric Appendicitis (PAS) or Alvarado scores and considered as categoric (high, intermediate, or low likelihood) and continuous variables to simulate stratification of equivocal US examinations to predict appendicitis. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to define score cutoffs, and logistic regression was used to assess individual clinical variables as predictors of appendicitis. Results The study population was made up of 776 patients (mean age, 11.7 years ± 3.7), with 429 (55.2%) girls. A total of 203 (26%) patients had appendicitis. US had a negative predictive value of 96.2% and a positive predictive value of 93.3% for depicting appendicitis, with 89 of 782 (11.4%) equivocal examinations. Categoric PAS and Alvarado scores were equivocal for 59.5% (53 of 89) and 50.6% (45 of 89) of equivocal US examinations, respectively. Categoric low- and high-likelihood PAS and Alvarado scores correctly predicted the presence of appendicitis in 61.1% (22 of 36) and 77.3% (34 of 44) of equivocal US examinations, respectively. As continuous variables, a PAS or Alvarado score of 5 or lower could be used to exclude appendicitis, with a 80.8% (21 of 26) and 90% (18 of 20) negative predictive value, respectively. Conclusion The study confirms the excellent performance of US for depicting pediatric appendicitis. In the subset of equivocal US examinations, a low clinical score (≤5) may be used to identify patients with a low likelihood of having appendicitis. (©) RSNA, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett S Athans
- From the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio (B.S.A.); Division of Emergency Medicine (H.E.D.), Department of Radiology (A.J.T., A.T.T.), and Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology (B.Z.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 5031, Cincinnati, OH 45229; and Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio (Y.Z.)
| | - Holly E Depinet
- From the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio (B.S.A.); Division of Emergency Medicine (H.E.D.), Department of Radiology (A.J.T., A.T.T.), and Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology (B.Z.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 5031, Cincinnati, OH 45229; and Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio (Y.Z.)
| | - Alexander J Towbin
- From the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio (B.S.A.); Division of Emergency Medicine (H.E.D.), Department of Radiology (A.J.T., A.T.T.), and Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology (B.Z.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 5031, Cincinnati, OH 45229; and Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio (Y.Z.)
| | - Yue Zhang
- From the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio (B.S.A.); Division of Emergency Medicine (H.E.D.), Department of Radiology (A.J.T., A.T.T.), and Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology (B.Z.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 5031, Cincinnati, OH 45229; and Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio (Y.Z.)
| | - Bin Zhang
- From the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio (B.S.A.); Division of Emergency Medicine (H.E.D.), Department of Radiology (A.J.T., A.T.T.), and Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology (B.Z.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 5031, Cincinnati, OH 45229; and Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio (Y.Z.)
| | - Andrew T Trout
- From the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio (B.S.A.); Division of Emergency Medicine (H.E.D.), Department of Radiology (A.J.T., A.T.T.), and Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology (B.Z.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 5031, Cincinnati, OH 45229; and Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio (Y.Z.)
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