title: Ultrasound scans done by surgeons for patients with acute abdominal pain: a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the routine use of abdominal ultrasonography (US) in patients admitted to the surgical emergency unit with acute abdominal pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study with a three-step evaluation of patients over a 12-month period.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital, Switzerland.
  
  
  METHODS
  496 patients (male/female = 234/262; mean age 45 years) who presented with acute abdominal pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Every patient underwent routine investigations and had an abdominal US by the attending surgeon.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical diagnosis, post-ultrasonography diagnosis and final diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  US improved the correct diagnostic rate from 348 (70%) to 414 (83%). The diagnostic accuracy for acute appendicitis and biliary tract disease improved after US from 455 (92%) to 488 (98%) and from 463 (93%) to 490 (99%), respectively; the corresponding sensitivities and specificities were 91% and 99% and 94% and 99%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasonography should be part of routine surgical investigation and should be mastered and used by surgeons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Allemann
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cassina
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Röthlin
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Largiadèr
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography