Me. Mullins et al., Evaluation of suspected appendicitis in children using limited helical CT and colonic contrast material, AM J ROENTG, 176(1), 2001, pp. 37-41
Citations number
36
Categorie Soggetti
Radiology ,Nuclear Medicine & Imaging","Medical Research Diagnosis & Treatment
OBJECTIVE. Colonic contrast material evaluation of suspected appendicitis i
n pediatric patients is technically more challenging than in adults because
less intraabdominal fat is present. To determine the accuracy and feasibil
ity of focused CT for pediatric patients, we carried out this retrospective
investigation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS. Between November 1995 and July 1999, 199 pediatric p
atients (1-18 years old; mean age, 12 years) were examined with focused CT
in the emergency division for suspected appendicitis. The findings on CT we
re compared with the findings at surgery, pathology, and clinical follow-up
.
RESULTS. There were 64 true-positive CT scans, two false-negative, 128 true
-negative, one false-positive, and four indeterminate. Seventy-four patient
s underwent appendectomy, with a negative appendectomy rate of 9%. One hund
red twenty-five patients without appendicitis were treated nonoperatively.
The true-positive rate was 32%, true-negative rate was 64%, sensitivity was
97%, specificity was 99%, positive predictive value was 98%, negative pred
ictive value was 98%, and overall accuracy was 96%. Pediatric patients tole
rated the procedure well. Colonic contrast material saved time and provided
improved identification of the cecum and appendix. In 62 patients without
appendicitis, focused CT provided alternative diagnoses.
CONCLUSION. Focused CT appears to be nearly as accurate in pediatric patien
ts as in adults. Focused CT provided alternative diagnoses in 48% of the pa
tients for whom CT findings were negative for appendicitis.