Graded compression ultrasonography in the assessment of the "tough decision" acute abdomen in childhood.

The diagnosis of acute appendicitis in childhood is frequently difficult. In some situations the need to operate is clear, but in others the decisions may be much "tougher" because the clinical findings are equivocal. This is a retrospective study of a consecutive series of 253 children presenting with "acute abdominal pain? appendicitis" who had graded compression ultrasonography (GCUS) because the clinical scenario did not warrant immediate laparotomy. This represents 30% of all cases seen in the study period. The aim of the study was to examine the role of GCUS and a clinical scoring system (the Alvarado score) in patients in whom the diagnosis is uncertain.