THE COMPARISON OF PLAIN FILM AND ULTRASOUND FINDINGS OF APPENDICITIS IN CHILDREN

Purpose: Our aim is to compare and evaluate the contributions of plain film (PF) and ultrasound (US) findings at diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children. Methods: The PF and US findings of 50 pediatric patients operated with a diagnosis of appendicitis were examined retrospectively and compared with postoperative findings. Results: Of the 50 patients, 38 (% 76) had acute appendicitis and 12 (% 24) had perforated appendicitis confirmed by surgery. A single air-fluid level in right lower quadrant on PF and pathologic appendix on US were the findings with the highest sensitivity (% 46 and % 72 respectively). Conclusion: PF and US must routinely be applied in children with a prediagnosis of acute appendicitis. US is one of the most highly sensitive modality used in children. PF is not only adventigous in excluding the reasons such as obstruction and perforation but it also contributes to the US findings if positive acute appendicitis signs are present. The diagnostic value of PF increases if the findings correlate with US.