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Accuracy of low dose CT in the diagnosis of appendicitis in childhood and comparison with USG and standard dose CT

Authors :
Dae Yong Yi
Kyung Hoon Lee
Sung Bin Park
Jee Taek Kim
Na Mi Lee
Hyery Kim
Sin Weon Yun
Soo Ahn Chae
In Seok Lim
Source :
Jornal de Pediatria (Versão em Português), Vol 93, Iss 6, Pp 625-631 (2017)
Publication Year :
2017
Publisher :
Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, 2017.

Abstract

Objectives: Computed tomography should be performed after careful consideration due to radiation hazard, which is why interest in low dose CT has increased recently in acute appendicitis. Previous studies have been performed in adult and adolescents populations, but no studies have reported on the efficacy of using low‐dose CT in children younger than 10 years. Methods: Patients (n = 475) younger than 10 years who were examined for acute appendicitis were recruited. Subjects were divided into three groups according to the examinations performed: low‐dose CT, ultrasonography, and standard‐dose CT. Subjects were categorized according to age and body mass index (BMI). Results: Low‐dose CT was a contributive tool in diagnosing appendicitis, and it was an adequate method, when compared with ultrasonography and standard‐dose CT in terms of sensitivity (95.5% vs. 95.0% and 94.5%, p = 0.794), specificity (94.9% vs. 80.0% and 98.8%, p = 0.024), positive‐predictive value (96.4% vs. 92.7% and 97.2%, p = 0.019), and negative‐predictive value (93.7% vs. 85.7% and 91.3%, p = 0.890). Low‐dose CT accurately diagnosed patients with a perforated appendix. Acute appendicitis was effectively diagnosed using low‐dose CT in both early and middle childhood. BMI did not influence the accuracy of detecting acute appendicitis on low‐dose CT. Conclusion: Low‐dose CT is effective and accurate for diagnosing acute appendicitis in childhood, as well as in adolescents and young adults. Additionally, low‐dose CT was relatively accurate, irrespective of age or BMI, for detecting acute appendicitis. Therefore, low‐dose CT is recommended for assessing children with suspected acute appendicitis.

Details

Language :
Portuguese
ISSN :
22555536
Volume :
93
Issue :
6
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Jornal de Pediatria (Versão em Português)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.5cd4813b16e94098bcdf3c913cc67bda
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedp.2017.04.008