[The value of sonography in the diagnosis of appendicitis. A prospective study of 100 patients].

Between October 1988 and July 1989 100 consecutive patients with suspected appendicitis were seen at the surgical clinic, University Hospital of Aachen. All patients underwent ultrasonographic examination corresponding to a prospective study protocol in order to determine the value of ultrasound for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The sonographic findings were correlated with the histologic diagnosis or the clinical course, respectively. We found a sensitivity of 100% for appendiceal mass, of 88% for phlegmonous appendicitis and of 25% for catarrhal appendicitis. The overall sensitivity was 49% and the overall specificity rate was 97%. The overall accuracy rate was 64%. The predictive value of a positive test was 97% and the predictive value of a negative finding was 46%. The morphologic changes during the progress of inflammation of the appendix and their sonographic visualisation were discussed. A differentiated concept was developed to integrate the sonographic findings in the therapeutic decision.