OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the routine use of abdominal ultrasonography (US) in patients admitted to the surgical emergency unit with acute abdominal pain. DESIGN: Prospective study with a three-step evaluation of patients over a 12-month period. SETTING: University hospital, Switzerland. SUBJECTS: 496 patients (male/female = 234/262; mean age 45 years) who presented with acute abdominal pain. INTERVENTIONS: Every patient underwent routine investigations and had an abdominal US by the attending surgeon. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical diagnosis, post-ultrasonography diagnosis and final diagnosis. RESULTS: US improved the correct diagnostic rate from 348 (70%) to 414 (83%). The diagnostic accuracy for acute appendicitis and biliary tract disease improved after US from 455 (92%) to 488 (98%) and from 463 (93%) to 490 (99%), respectively; the corresponding sensitivities and specificities were 91% and 99% and 94% and 99%. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography should be part of routine surgical investigation and should be mastered and used by surgeons.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the routine use of abdominal ultrasonography (US) in patients admitted to the surgical emergency unit with acute abdominal pain. DESIGN: Prospective study with a three-step evaluation of patients over a 12-month period. SETTING: University hospital, Switzerland. SUBJECTS: 496 patients (male/female = 234/262; mean age 45 years) who presented with acute abdominal pain. INTERVENTIONS: Every patient underwent routine investigations and had an abdominal US by the attending surgeon. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical diagnosis, post-ultrasonography diagnosis and final diagnosis. RESULTS: US improved the correct diagnostic rate from 348 (70%) to 414 (83%). The diagnostic accuracy for acute appendicitis and biliary tract disease improved after US from 455 (92%) to 488 (98%) and from 463 (93%) to 490 (99%), respectively; the corresponding sensitivities and specificities were 91% and 99% and 94% and 99%. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography should be part of routine surgical investigation and should be mastered and used by surgeons.
Authors: D A Kafetzis; I M Velissariou; P Nikolaides; M Sklavos; M Maktabi; G Spyridis; D D Kafetzis; E Androulakakis Journal: Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis Date: 2005-07 Impact factor: 3.267
Authors: David S Sanders; Andrew D Hopper; Iman A F Azmy; Nahida Rahman; David P Hurlstone; John S Leeds; Rina R George; Neeraj Bhala Journal: Ann Surg Date: 2005-08 Impact factor: 12.969
Authors: Boudewijn R Toorenvliet; Rutger F R Bakker; Hans C Flu; Jos W S Merkus; Jaap F Hamming; Paul J Breslau Journal: World J Surg Date: 2010-03 Impact factor: 3.352