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Algorithm reduces use of CT scans when diagnosing children with appendicitis

Date:
July 31, 2014
Source:
Mayo Clinic
Summary:
Implementation of an algorithm aimed to diagnose pediatric patients with suspected appendicitis reduces the utilization of computed tomography scans, without affecting diagnostic accuracy, researchers have found.
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Implementation of an algorithm aimed to diagnose pediatric patients with suspected appendicitis reduces the utilization of computed tomography (CT) scans, without affecting diagnostic accuracy, Mayo Clinic Children's Center researchers have found. The study was recently published in the journal Surgery.

Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdominal pain in children. Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes inflamed and filled with pus. CT scans are often used to diagnose acute appendicitis because they are accurate, widely available and have the ability to provide clinicians with advanced information in appendicitis cases suspected of complications.

However, CT scans are expensive and expose patients to ionizing radiation. "This algorithm was developed by a multidisciplinary group of pediatric emergency room physicians, pediatric surgeons and radiologists to eliminate unnecessary exposure to radiation," explains Michael B. Ishitani, M.D., lead author of the study.

The study compared pediatric patients, under the age of 18, who underwent an appendectomy for acute appendicitis pre-algorithm implementation and post-implementation. Researchers studied 331 pediatric cases over the course of five years, and found that CT utilization decreased from 39 percent to 18 percent after the algorithm was in place.

Researchers found that when the algorithm was implemented, use of CT scans in patients dropped by over 50 percent, without affecting diagnostic accuracy, proving that reducing the use of CT scans when evaluating patients for appendicitis is safe and cost-effective.

"Implementation of this algorithm across multiple centers is the ideal outcome of this study, followed by further evaluations over time to ensure that the low rate of CT scan use continues," says Dr. Ishitani.

Other study authors include Stephanie F. Polites, M.D., and scholar, Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery; Mohamed I. Mohamed, M.B.B.S.; Elizabeth B. Habermann, Ph.D., and scientific director of the Surgical Outcomes Program, Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery; James L. Homme, M.D.; Jana L. Anderson, M.D.; Christopher R. Moir, M.D. and Abdalla E. Zarroug, M.D., all of Mayo Clinic.


Story Source:

Materials provided by Mayo Clinic. Original written by Chloe Piepho. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Stephanie F. Polites, Mohamed I. Mohamed, Elizabeth B. Habermann, James L. Homme, Jana L. Anderson, Christopher R. Moir, Michael B. Ishitani, Abdalla E. Zarroug. A simple algorithm reduces computed tomography use in the diagnosis of appendicitis in children. Surgery, 2014; 156 (2): 448 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2014.04.001

Cite This Page:

Mayo Clinic. "Algorithm reduces use of CT scans when diagnosing children with appendicitis." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 31 July 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140731160032.htm>.
Mayo Clinic. (2014, July 31). Algorithm reduces use of CT scans when diagnosing children with appendicitis. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 18, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140731160032.htm
Mayo Clinic. "Algorithm reduces use of CT scans when diagnosing children with appendicitis." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140731160032.htm (accessed March 18, 2024).

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