The comparison of enhanced CT and color ultrasonography to the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis

Objective To study reliable evidence for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis by comparing the diagnostic potential of enhanced computed tomography (CT) with color ultrasonography. Methods A total of 106 patients with acute pancreatitis admitted from January 2010 to December 2012 were examined by enhanced CT or color Ultrasonography for comparing the diagnostic sensitivity of the two methods. Results A total of 66 cases with acute pancreatitis were diagnosed by color ultrasound with 62.0% positive rate, while 99 cases with acute pancreatitis were diagnosed by enhanced CT with 93.0% positive rate, and thus the difference between them was statistically significant (P =0.03). Of them, 22 cases associated with enlargement of the gallbladder, cholecystitis, lithiasis of gallbladder and/or bile duct were detected by color ultrasonography, whereas 43 cases associated with enlargement of the gallbladder, cholecystitis, lithiasis of gallbladder and/or bile duct were detected by enhanced CT, thus the difference between them was significant (P =0.02). Conclusions The diagnosis sensitivity of abdominal enhanced CT for acute pancreatitis was superior to abdominal ultrasonography, and enhanced CT is a ideal tool for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Key words: Acute pancreatitis; Enhanced CT; Color ultrasonography; Sensitivity; Difference; Diagnostic; Rating; Assessment