What does ultrasound study contribute in acute appendicitis (using dosed compression)?

The value of ultrasound in diagnosing acute appendicitis has been examined in a prospective study of 103 patients. Only those patients with an uncertain diagnosis of acute appendicitis were included in the study. We used a 5 or 7.5 MHz linear array transducer applying graded compression. An acutely inflammatory appendix appeared as a tubular structure with a diameter of 3 to 12 mm. The sensitivity of the examination in our material was 82%, the specificity 97%. The main reason for the relatively low sensitivity were cases with a retrocaecal position of the appendix. Ultrasound can be recommended as a highly specific but less sensitive imaging method for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in clinically equivocal cases.