Diagnosis of pediatric appendicitis by ultrasonography

Objective To explore the correlation between ultrasonographic characteristics and pathologic types of pediatric appendicitis.Methods 123 pediatric patients who were suspected of appendicitis meanwhile obtained ultrasonography scan and got final diagnosis were enrolled in this study.The characteristics of ultrasonograghy were analyzed,classified and compared with surgical and pathological results.Results All cases were confirmed by surgery and pathology.Appendicitis was comfirmed in 115 patients,including simple appendicitis in 3 cases,purulent appendicitis in 67 cases and gangrenous appendicitis in 45 cases.Appendicitis was diagnosed by ultrasonography in 114 patients and excluded in 9 patients.The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of ultrasonography in diagnosis of appendicitis was 99.1％ (113/114),88.9 ％ (8/9),98.4 ％ (121 / 123),respectively.Ultrasonographic characteristics of pediatric appendicitis were correlated well with the pathologic types.Conclusion Ultrasonography has great value in diagnosis and classification of pediatric appendicitis. Key words: Ultrasonography;  Appendicitis;  Children