Pediatric Appendicitis: Ultrasound Sensitivity Increases with Symptom Duration

Ultrasound sensitivity increased from 81% in patients with symptom duration <12 hours to 96% in those with symptom duration 48 to 71 hours.

Investigators assessed the diagnostic performance of computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound in relation to symptom duration in children (age range, 3 to 18 years) with suspected appendicitis. This secondary analysis of a prospective study of patients who presented to one of nine pediatric emergency departments included only patients with abdominal pain for <72 hours. Symptom duration was categorized as <12 hours, 13 to 24 hours, 25 to 36 hours, 37 to 48 hours, or 49 to 71 hours.

Of 1810 patients, 67% underwent CT, and 46% underwent ultrasound. Overall, 680 patients (38%) had pathology-confirmed appendicitis, and of these patients, 174 (26%) had perforated appendicitis. The sensitivity of CT for diagnosing appendicitis did not differ signifi…

Reviewing Author

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)