Radiologic diagnosis of an intra-abdominal abscess. Do multiple tests help

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Arch. Surg. (Chicago); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.1986.01400010047005· OSTI ID:5965458

Dobrin, P B; Gully, P H; Greenlee, H B; Freeark, R J; Moncada, R; Churchill, R; Reynes, C; Henkin, R

A review was made of the charts of 94 patients who underwent ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and gallium citrate Ga 67 (Gall) scan to rule out intra-abdominal abscesses. Of all the clinical and laboratory data, only the presence of pain and tenderness differentiated patients with and without abscesses. A review of radiologic data showed that CT was superior to US, and that US was superior to Gall scan with regard to sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values. When multiple radiologic tests were performed, results agreed in 72% of cases; therefore, the additional tests were essentially redundant. When radiologic test results disagreed, accuracy rates were CT, 0.86; US, 0.00; and Gall scan, 0.44. These findings suggest that, except to rule out pelvic abscesses in the presence of pelvic inflammatory disease, CT is usually the only special radiologic test that should be performed to localize a suspected intra-abdominal abscess.

• Research Organization: Loyola Univ. Medical Center, Maywood, IL
• OSTI ID: 5965458
• Journal Information: Arch. Surg. (Chicago); (United States), Journal Name: Arch. Surg. (Chicago); (United States) Vol. 1; ISSN ARSUA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550601* -- Medicine-- Unsealed Radionuclides in Diagnostics
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ABDOMEN
ABSCESSES
ACCURACY
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BODY
BODY AREAS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DISEASES
DISEASES
DRAINAGE
ELECTRON CAPTURE RADIOISOTOPES
GALLIUM 67
GALLIUM ISOTOPES
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATIENTS
PELVIS
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
RADIOISOTOPES
SCINTISCANNING
TOMOGRAPHY
ULTRASONOGRAPHY