Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in the diagnosis of childhood appendicitis.
Total leukocyte count (TLC) and neutrophil count are not reliable parameters in the diagnosis of appendicitis in children, necessitating a search for more sensitive criteria. This study's goal was to investigate the diagnostic value of neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio in childhood appendicitis. The patients admitted for acute abdominal symptoms were reviewed retrospectively. Data collected included initial preoperative TLC, together with neutrophil and lymphocyte values. N/L ratio was calculated by dividing the values obtained. One hundred eighty-three of 240 patients were treated operatively and were proven as appendicitis histopathologically. The other observed 57 cases were accepted as non-specific abdominal pain (NAP). 90.2% of the appendicitis group and 12.3% of the NAP group had N/L ratio higher than 3.5. The results indicate that N/L ratio seems to be a more sensitive parameter than TLC when evaluated retrospectively. N/L ratio of 3.5 can be used in the prediction of appendicitis in children.
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Aydmn, Turkey.
Mesut
M
Yazici
Sezen
S
Ozkisacik
M Onur
MO
Oztan
Harun
H
Gürsoy
D000208:Acute Disease; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity