J Korean Soc Med Ultrasound.  1998 Dec;17(4):343-347.

Sonographic Detection of Inflamed Appendix: Accuracy of Self-localization Technique

• Jang HJ
• Lim HK
• Kim SH
• Lee MH
• Yun JY
• Kim KA
• Lim JH
• Jeong YK

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of self-localization tehnique in detecting an inflamed appendix at ultrasound (US) examination. MATERIALS & METHODS: At the beginning of appendix US examination, patients were asked to localize the maximal tender point with the tip of a finger. The distance between the self-localization point and an inflamed appendix depicted on US was estimated as follows: less than 1cm, 1-3cm, 3-5cm, and more than 5cm. During a recent 13 month-period, 358consecutive patients underwent appendix US. Among 97 patients who were diagnosed as having acute appendicitis on US, 46 patients (M:F=27:19, age range=18-70 years, mean age=39 years) with pathologic diagnosis of acute appendicitis at our institute were finally included. The reasons for exclusion were transfer to other hospitals (n=15), hemorrhagic ovarian cysts without an evidence of primary appendicitis proved by surgery (n=2), no application of self-localization due to patients' poor cooperation (n=20), or no record of the results of self-localization (n=14).
RESULTS
The self-localization point was located in right lower quadrant of the abdomen in 41 patients, mid-pelvis in two, left lower quadrant of the abdomen in two, and right upper quadrant of the abdomen in one. Of total 46 inflamed appendices, Thirty-eight (82.6%) were found to locate within 1cm, four (8.7%) were within 1-3cm, two (3.3cm) were within 3-5cm and the remaining two (3.3%) were farther than 5cm from the self-localization point.
CONCLUSION
Self-localization technique is a simple and an accurate method in detecting an inflamed appendix.

MeSH Terms

Abdomen
Appendicitis
Appendix*
Diagnosis
Female
Fingers
Humans
Ovarian Cysts
Ultrasonography*