ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF ACUTE APPENDICITIS - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY IN 2074 PATIENTS OVER 5 YEARS - 2ND REPORT

High-resolution real-time ultrasound (US) with a 5 MHz transducer has proved to be an important method in the diagnosis of acute appendiciti s. In a prospective study we examined 2074 unselected patients with su spected appendicitis to assess the diagnostic and epidemiological valu e of US. According to the clinical diagnosis females aged 10 to 30 rep resented the majority of suspected cases. Appendicitis was most often proved in male patients aged 15-30 years. The prevalence of acute appe ndicitis in childhood is lower (7%) than in elderly patients (33%). US enables the diagnosis of acute appendicits with a sensitivity of 91%, a specificity of 98% and an overall accuracy of 97%. For differential diagnosis US demonstrates other diseases that mimic acute appendiciti s. Thus it is possible to reduce the negative appendectomy rate partic ularly in children by revealing mesenteric lymphadenitis or terminal i leitis and in young women by directing attention to gynecological dise ases.