Publication:

Multidetector computerized tomography in acute abdomen

Background Acute abdominal pain is a common chief complaint in patients examined reporting to emergency department. The sensitivity of CT is 96% in acute abdomen. In order to decrease the mortality and morbidity rate, an efficient and correct diagnosis should be given for these patients. When investigations, like USG examinations are inconclusive, in such cases, multi-detector computer tomography is a widely accepted primary investigation of choice in patients coming with intense abdominal pain. The aim of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of MDCT in diagnosis of acute abdomen; document the sensitivity and specificity of MDCT; the incidence of different pathologies presenting as acute abdomen.

Methods Prospective study on 64 subjects with acute pain abdomen was subjected to MDCT in GMC Srinagar. The duration of this study was from January to May 2019.

Results About 36 patients were females and 28 were males. Youngest patient had an age of 7 years to eldest patient having age of 79 years. Most common causes of acute abdomen were acute pancreatitis in 21.8, acute appendicitis in 15.6% and bowel obstruction in12.5%. In our study the sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictable values of MDCT were 95.0%, 75%%, 98.3% and 60% respectively.

Conclusions We conclude that MDCT has high sensitivity and accuracy rate. In inconclusive cases, MDCT is recommended to arrive at a definitive diagnosis. The results obtained in the study were comparable to pioneer studies conducted worldwide.