Focused abdominal CT scan for acute appendicitis in children: can it help in need?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the focused abdominal CT scan [FACT] in clinically equivocal cases of acute appendicitis in paediatric population.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Radiology Department of Aga Khan Hospital, from August 2007 to November 2008. A total of 84 patients (42 males & 42 females) with clinically equivocal signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis referred to radiology department for CT evaluation were studied. CT findings were compared with histopathology and clinical follow-up.


RESULTS
The sensitivity of focused CT for acute appendicitis was 91%; specificity was 69% and accuracy of 76% while PPV and NPV were 58%, 94% respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Focused unenhanced CT is a quick, accurate and non invasive modality for the assessment of clinically equivocal cases of acute appendicitis for ruling out patients and reducing negative appendectomies.
Department of Radiology, Medical College, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
Waseem
W
Akhtar
Sumera
S
Ali
Muhammad
M
Arshad
Farzana Nawaz
FN
Ali
Naila
N
Nadeem
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*