Nonenhanced limited CT in children suspected of having appendicitis: Prospective comparison of attending and resident interpretations

PURPOSE: To prospectively compare resident and attending radiologic interpr etations of nonenhanced limited computed tomographic (CT) scans obtained in children suspected of having appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-five consecutive children underwent nonenhan ced limited CT for suspected appendicitis. The scans were prospectively int erpreted by a resident and an attending radiologist, each unaware of the ot her's interpretation. The probability that the findings indicated a diagnos is of appendicitis, level of certainty in the interpretation, and presence of an alternate diagnosis were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Nineteen children (25%) had appendicitis. The area under the recei ver operating characteristic curve was not significantly different between residents (0.97 +/- 0.02) and attendings (0.95 +/- 0.04). The percentage ag reement between residents and attendings was 91% (kappa = 0.73 +/- 0.095). The average level of certainty tended to be higher for attendings (93% +/- 15) than residents (89% +/- 12). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of resident interpretations were 63%, 96%, and 88%, respectively, compared with those of attending interpretations-95%, 98%, and 97%, respectively. R esidents and attendings noted alternate diagnoses in 30% of children withou t appendicitis. CONCLUSION: A high level of agreement exists between resident and attending radiologists in the interpretation of nonenhanced limited CT scans in chil dren suspected of having appendicitis. Residents, however, tend to be less confident in their interpretations.