[Ultrasonic diagnosis in appendiceal perforation].

In a prospective study comprising 154 patients, the efficacy of clinical, sonographic and combined assessment of appendiceal perforation was evaluated. 39 patients had appendiceal perforation, 44 no signs of inflammation and 71 chronic appendicitis as proven by histologic examination. Cases of 'simple' acute appendicitis were excluded. Clinical assessment yielded with respect to appendicitis a sensitivity of 87%, a specificity of 97% and an accuracy of 94%. With respect to appendiceal perforation a sensitivity of 74%, a specificity of 97% and an accuracy of 91% were observed. Sonographic diagnosis of acute appendicitis as the cause of complaints gave a sensitivity of 85%, a specificity of 98% and an accuracy of 95%, and with special respect to real appendiceal perforation a sensitivity of 69%, a specificity of 98% and accuracy of 91%. By overlap of clinical and sonographic findings, diagnosis of perforation was feasible in 80%, diagnosis of acute appendicitis in 92%. Our results indicate that sonography is a valuable adjunct to clinical assessment, whereas clinical assessment alone seems to be superior to ultrasonography as an isolated procedure.