Poster Author of 1 e-Poster
SE-111 - Short protocol MRI for acute appendicitis in paediatrics; A viable alternative to CT when appendix is not visualised on ultrasound
- S. Joyce, Cork, IE
- K. James, Cork, IE
- P. Duffy, Cork, IE
- R. Kavanagh, Cork, IE
- B. Carey, Cork, IE
- S. Power, Cork, IE
- D. Ryan, Cork, IE
- A. Feeley, Cork, IE
- P. Murphy, Cork, IE
- E. Andrews, Cork, IE
- M. McEntee, Cork, IE
- M. Moore, Cork, IE
- C. Bogue, Cork, IE
- M. Maher, Wilton, Cork, IE
- O. O'Connor, Cork, IE
Author of 1 Presentation
SE-111 - Short protocol MRI for acute appendicitis in paediatrics; A viable alternative to CT when appendix is not visualised on ultrasound
- S. Joyce, Cork, IE
- K. James, Cork, IE
- P. Duffy, Cork, IE
- R. Kavanagh, Cork, IE
- B. Carey, Cork, IE
- S. Power, Cork, IE
- D. Ryan, Cork, IE
- A. Feeley, Cork, IE
- P. Murphy, Cork, IE
- E. Andrews, Cork, IE
- M. McEntee, Cork, IE
- M. Moore, Cork, IE
- C. Bogue, Cork, IE
- M. Maher, Wilton, Cork, IE
- O. O'Connor, Cork, IE
Abstract
Purpose
To assess the diagnostic accuracy of MRI in suspected cases of paediatric appendicitis.
Material and methods
Fifty-two children presenting with suspected appendicitis, and who were referred for an abdominal ultrasound were studied. All patients received both an abdominal ultrasound and five-sequence MRI consisting of axial and coronal gradient echo T2 scans, fat saturated FFSFE, and a diffusion weighted scan. Participants were randomized into groups of MRI with breath-holds or MRI with free breathing. A patient satisfaction survey was conducted. Histopathology findings were used as a gold standard for the purposes of data analysis. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS; p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Ultrasound had a sensitivity and specificity of 25% and 92.9%, respectively. MRI with breath-hold had a sensitivity and specificity of 81.8% and 66.7%, respectively, whilst MRI with free breathing was superior with sensitivity and specificity of 92.3% and 84.2%, respectively. MRI with free breathing was also more time efficient (P<0.0001), taking 12 minutes. Group statistics were comparable (p<0.05).
Conclusion
Short MRI protocols, particularly free breathing sequences, for patients admitted with suspected appendicitis have a statistically significant diagnostic advantage over ultrasound. Additionally, the higher specificity of MR can reduce the number of negative appendectomies performed in tertiary centres and potentially reduce the need for CT.