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Comparison of Ultrasonographic Finding in Men and Women Suspected of Acute Appendicitis: Usefulness and Limitation of Measurement of the Outer Diameter of the Vermiform Appendix |
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Eun Joo Lee, M.D Soon Kim, M.D., Yoen Hee Oh, M.D., Seung Hyeon Kim, M.D., Sung Woo Lee, M.D. |
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Department of Radiology, Gyeong Ju Hospital, Dongguk University School of Medicine |
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PURPOSE : To evaluate the usefulness and limitations of measurement of the outer diameter of the
vermiform appendix in men and women patients suspected of acute appendicitis on ultrasonography
(US).
MATERIALS and METHODS : Retrospectively, the review of the outer diameter of the appendix measured
in 197 adult patients, 70 men and 127 women (age ranged from 16 to 83 years), suspected
of acute appendicitis on sustained-compression US was done. The measured outer diameters
were categorized into two groups according to the patient’s sex, and relationships between
categoric variables were analyzed by calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative
predictive values and accuracy. Data analyses were performed using MedCalc for windows
version 7.1.0.1.
RESULTS : The outer appendiceal diameters in men ranged between 3.2 and 15 mm, while those in
women, between 3.4 and 17 mm. The diameters of acute inflamed appendices ranged from 6
to 17 mm. In men, a diameter equal to or larger than 6 mm was confirmed as acute appendicitis
with the sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of 100%, 57.6%,
70.2% and 100%, respectively. Meanwhile, in women, a diameter of ≥ 6 mm was confirmed
as acute appendicitis with the sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values
of 98%, 55.8%, 68.9% and 96.5%, respectively. The accuracy in women (67.7%) was lower
than in men(75.7%), but no statistically significant difference (p=0.395) was seen between
men and women.
CONCLUSION : The outer appendiceal diameter of ≥ 6 mm as a sign of acute appendicitis provides
a high sensitivity and negative predictive values. This diagnostic criterion is more useful in excluding
acute appendicitis than confirming it. There was no statistically significant difference
in the accuracy between men and women. |
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Keyword : Appendicitis, Appendix, US |
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pdf파일 : 05-10 이은주.pdf
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