Abstract

Objective
To evaluate the role of abdominal sonography in the diagnosis of acute
appendicitis.
Method
This was a descriptive study and was conducted in the Cantonment General
Hospital Rawalpindi from May 2006 to December 2007. A total of 170 patients
presenting with a clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis, irrespective of age and
gender, were included in the study. All had an ultrasonography by the graded
compression technique. Histopathology was used to compare the clinical and
sonographic judgment.
Results
Out of 170 patients, 118 patients were histologically confirmed acute
appendicitis. Ultrasonography suggested 100 out of 118 (85%) patients positive
for acute appendicitis. It was normal in 46 out of 52 (88.4%) patients of negative
appendicectomies. It gave a false negative result six cases. Sensitivity of
sonography was 85% and specificity was 86%.
Conclusions
The data supports a positive role for sonography in the diagnosis of acute
appendicitis. Its role in male adults and children is encouraging, while in female
adults ultrasonography has more false negative results. (Rawal Med J 2009;34:
).

Key words: Ultrasonography, appendicitis, negative appendicectomy.