Abdominal disease in children: a comparison of computed tomography and ultrasound

Diagnoses from computed tomographic (CT) and ultrasonic examinations of the abdomen in 29 pediatric patients were reviewed retrospectively to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the two methods for detection of abnormalities and to assess their differential diagnostic accuracies. No difference in sensitivy (87%) and specificity (100%) was observed between the two imaging methods. However, the differential diagnostic accuracy in abnormal cases was greater with CT than ultrasound. The combined information from CT and ultrasound allowed for correct diagnoses in all but three instances. Findings from each technique considered separately would have resulted in erroneous diagnoses in four instances using CT and nine instances using ultrasound. Diagnostic information obtained from CT and ultrasound examinations were complementary in many instances.