Comparison of multislice computed tomography and clinical scores for diagnosing acute appendicitis

To compare Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Appendicitis (RIPASA) and Alvarado scores with multislice computed tomography (MSCT) for diagnosing acute appendicitis (AA).

This retrospective study included patients with abdominal pain who had undergone MSCT, and whose medical notes included RIPASA and Alvarado score parameters. MSCT was compared with RIPASA and Alvarado scores for diagnosing AA.

Of 297 patients included, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for diagnosing AA were 95.2%, 73.6% and 87.2% for RIPASA score (cutoff value 7.5) and 63.1%, 80.9% and 69.7% for Alvarado score (cutoff value 7). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MSCT for diagnosing AA were 98.9%, 96.4% and 98.0%, respectively. In terms of accuracy, statistically significant differences were observed between RIPASA and Alvarado scores, and between MSCT and RIPASA scores. The mean RIPASA score was significantly different in the simple AA group (9.7 ± 2.2) compared with other AA groups (10.5 ± 1.7). No statistically significant difference was observed in RIPASA score between nonperforated and perforated AA. MSCT sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for diagnosing simple AA were 94.1%, 96.4% and 95.8%, respectively; for differentiating perforated and nonperforated AA, scores were 90.2%, 95.2% and 94.1%, respectively.

MSCT is the optimum diagnostic tool for AA, followed by RIPASA score and Alvarado score, particularly in diagnosing simple and perforated AA.