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  • Title: Accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in a pediatric emergency department.
    Author: Balbo S, Pini CM, Raffaldi I, Delmonaco AG, Castagno E, Guanà R, Di Rosa G, Bondone C.
    Journal: J Clin Ultrasound; 2024 Jun; 52(5):485-490. PubMed ID: 38436504.
    Abstract:
    PURPOSE: To investigate the accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) in diagnosing acute appendicitis in children; to evaluate the concordance between PoCUS performed by a pediatric emergency physician (PedEm) and ultrasonography (US) performed by a radiologist; to draw a "learning curve." METHODS: We prospectively enrolled children aged 0-14 years old led to the Emergency Department of Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, from January 2021 to June 2021, with suspected acute appendicitis. PoCUS was performed by a single trained PedEm, blindly to the radiologist's scan. A "self-assessment score" and the "time of duration of PoCUS" were recorded for each patient. Final diagnosis of appendicitis was made by a pediatric surgeon. RESULTS: We enrolled 62 children (2-14 years). Overall sensitivity of PoCUS was 88%, specificity 90%; PPV 90.6%, and NPV 86.6%. Global concordance between the PedEm and the radiologist was good/excellent (k 0.74). The mean duration of PoCUS significantly decreased during the study period, while the self-assessment score increased. CONCLUSION: This is a preliminary study that shows the effectiveness of PoCUS in diagnosing acute appendicitis; furthermore, it shows how the PedEm's performance may improve over time. The learning curve showed how the experience of the PedEm affects the accuracy of PoCUS.
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