Value of ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis: interesting aspects.
OBJECTIVE
The value of ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis is still unclear. Both, studies with excellent and such with disappointing results have been published. The aim of this investigation was to answer the question, whether the results of these studies depend on study design, the investigating clinical department, or the number of ultrasound investigators.


METHODS
A systematic literature research (PubMed (NLM) database) was performed. Of 99 publications dealing with ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, 69 were relevant to investigate the value of ultrasound in suspected appendicitis.


RESULTS
Results of single-center studies (sensitivity 81.6%, specificity 89.8%, accuracy 85.7%) are better then those of multi-center trials (38.3%, 87.6%, 62.9%). There are no distinct differences between the investigating departments (surgeons 78.9%, 88.9%, 86.0%; radiologists 83.1%, 88.1%, 83.5%; mixed 77.8%, 87.1%, 79.4%, no specification 73.8%, 87.1%, 80.45.9%). Less than 10 investigators showed better diagnostic values (84.3%, 86.8%, 85.6%) compared to studies with 10 or more investigators (64.7%, 88.6%, 67.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of multi-center trials are disappointing and the good results of single-center studies do not reflect surgical everyday life. However, excellent results can be obtained if the investigation is restricted to a few specialists irrespectively of the clinical department.
Department of Surgery, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany. obermai@ch11.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
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Obermaier
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Benz
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Asgharnia
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Kirchner
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Hopt
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014463:Ultrasonography