DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN ACUTE APPENDICITIS TAKING HISTOPATHOLOGY AS GOLD STANDARD
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Keywords
Acute Appendicitis, Ultrasonography, Histopathology, Diagnostic Accuracy, Sensitivity, Specificity.
Abstract
Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in patients with suspected acute appendicitis, taking histopathological examination as the gold standard.
Study Design: Cross-sectional Validation Study.
Place & Duration of Study: Department of Radiology, Bolan Medical Complex, Quetta for a period of six months w.e.f. 04-08-2022 to 03-02-2023.
Methodology: Two hundred patients meeting inclusion criteria were enrolled at Bolan Medical Complex Quetta. Written consent and clinical history were obtained. All patients underwent abdominal ultrasonography followed by appendectomy, and specimens were sent for histopathology as the gold standard. A single radiologist and histopathologist evaluated all findings, and data were recorded in a proforma.
Results: A total of 200 patients with suspected acute appendicitis were included. Mean age was 36.88 ± 13.00 years, with 68% aged 18–49 years; 56% were males. Ultrasonography identified appendicitis in 83%, while histopathology confirmed 83.5%. USG showed sensitivity 95.21%, specificity 78.79%, and accuracy 92.50%. Diagnostic performance remained consistently high across age and gender subgroups.
Conclusion: Ultrasonography showed high diagnostic accuracy with excellent sensitivity and acceptable specificity in diagnosing acute appendicitis, using histopathology as the gold standard. It is a reliable, safe, and cost-effective first-line imaging tool, supporting its routine use for timely diagnosis and reduction of negative appendectomies.
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Dr. Unsa Baiza
Senior Resident, Department of Radiology, Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta.
Dr. Zainab Qazi
Registrar, Department of Radiology, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad
