Andrew B Rosenkrantz1, Anthony Labib2, Luke A Ginocchio3, James S Babb4. 1. Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Medical Center, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Electronic address: Andrew.osenkrantz@nyumc.org. 2. Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Medical Center, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Electronic address: anthonylabib@gmail.com. 3. Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Medical Center, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Electronic address: Luke.Ginocchio@med.nyu.edu. 4. Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Medical Center, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Electronic address: James.babb@nyumc.org.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To compare outcomes of imaging pathways in suspected acute appendicitis. METHODS: Computerized tomography (CT) alone, ultrasound alone, and ultrasound followed by CT were compared in 570 emergency department (ED) patients with suspected acute appendicitis. RESULTS: After initial ultrasound, 9.3% of men and 41.0% of women underwent CT. Body mass index (BMI) (P≤.036): 25.3±5.7kg/m(2) (CT), 19.1±3.3kg/m(2) (ultrasound), and 22.4±3.2kg/m(2) (ultrasound then CT). Age (P<.001): 35.9±14.5 years (CT), 12.8±6.2y (ultrasound), and 21.2±9.0 years (ultrasound then CT). ED length-of-stay: 7.0±2.8h (CT), 5.9±2.8h (ultrasound), and 8.4±3.5h (ultrasound then CT). Admission, same-day discharge, appendectomy, pathology positive for appendicitis or complicated appendicitis, 30-day repeat ED visit/hospitalization: no difference between pathways (P=.062-1.00). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound, selected in patients with lowest age/BMI, had shortest length-of-stay but otherwise similar outcomes.
PURPOSE: To compare outcomes of imaging pathways in suspected acute appendicitis. METHODS: Computerized tomography (CT) alone, ultrasound alone, and ultrasound followed by CT were compared in 570 emergency department (ED) patients with suspected acute appendicitis. RESULTS: After initial ultrasound, 9.3% of men and 41.0% of women underwent CT. Body mass index (BMI) (P≤.036): 25.3±5.7kg/m(2) (CT), 19.1±3.3kg/m(2) (ultrasound), and 22.4±3.2kg/m(2) (ultrasound then CT). Age (P<.001): 35.9±14.5 years (CT), 12.8±6.2y (ultrasound), and 21.2±9.0 years (ultrasound then CT). ED length-of-stay: 7.0±2.8h (CT), 5.9±2.8h (ultrasound), and 8.4±3.5h (ultrasound then CT). Admission, same-day discharge, appendectomy, pathology positive for appendicitis or complicated appendicitis, 30-day repeat ED visit/hospitalization: no difference between pathways (P=.062-1.00). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound, selected in patients with lowest age/BMI, had shortest length-of-stay but otherwise similar outcomes.