Useful Ultrasound Findings of Pediatric Patients with Equivocal Results of Appendicitis: Analysis Based on a Structured Report Form

PURPOSE: To identify the features that can be used for differentiating appendicitis from non-appendicitis in pediatric patients with equivocal ultrasound (US) results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 53 pediatric patients (≤ 18 years old) with equivocal results on US examination for suspected appendicitis between November 2012 and October 2017 were included. US evaluation was conducted based on information retrieved from a predefined structured report form. Then, the likelihood of appendicitis was prospectively classified into five categories. The equivocal results were considered as grade 3 (indeterminate) and grade 4 (probably appendicitis). RESULTS: Of the 53 patients, 25 (47.2%) and 28 (52.8%) were classified into grade 3 and 4 groups, respectively. Among the individual US findings, increased vascularity of the appendiceal wall and peri-appendiceal fat infiltration were independent findings associated with the diagnosis of appendicitis (p = 0.005, p = 0.045, respectively) in the multivariate logistic regression analysis and showed the highest diagnostic accuracy (69.8% and 62.3%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Increased vascularity within the appendiceal wall and peri-appendiceal fat infiltration were significant predictors of appendicitis in patients with equivocal US findings.