The Combined Role of Alvarado Score and Ultrasonography for the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis

Abstract

Objectives:  Objective of the study was to evaluate use of Alvarado score and ultrasonography in diagnosis of  acute appendicitis.

Study Design: Cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Department of Surgery along with Department of Radiology at Shaikh Zayed Hospital Lahore from 1^st January 2013 to 31^st August 2013.

Materials and Methods: 250 patients of Alvarado Score were enrolled for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis attending out-patient, accident & emergency departments.

Results: There were 184 (74%) were males and 66 (26%) were females with mean age of 35.27±12.57 years. One hundred and seventy patients had anorexia while 76 patients had no anorexia. 49.6% patients while in 50.4% were reported anorexia. Right iliac fossa was noted in all patients. 95% patients had rebound tenderness 203 patients have elevated temperature.

Conclusion: Alvarado score is a simple and reliable non-invasive diagnosis modality without any extra cost and complication. It has also proved to be handy for our peripheral hospital settings where backup facilities not available. By application of Alvarado scoring system with non-invasive ultrasonography improves diagnosis accuracy by reducing negative appendicectomies hence reducing complications rate in our settings.