Combination of Modified Alvarado Score and Ultrasonography to Improve the Diagnostic Accuracy in Acute Appendicitis

Background: Acute appendicitis, the most common cause of pain abdomen in emergency settings. The diagnosis of acute appendicitis can most often pose a difficulty. Methods: Hundred consecutive patients who presented with symptoms consistent with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and were admitted in the department of surgery, NRI Academy of Sciences, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, have been taken into this study. The patients were evaluated prospectively with the modified Alvarado scoring (MAS), and the possibility of acute appendicitis is determined. The Modified Alvarado scores were correlated with Ultrasound and histopathological findings after surgery. Results: There were 75 true positives and 16 false-negative cases with modified Alvarado scoring. There were 84 true positives and 7 false-negative cases with ultrasound abdomen. Conclusions: The Modified Alvarado score should be combined with Ultrasound abdomen for a better diagnosis of acute appendicitis. However, these only act as an adjunct to clinical evaluation and the surgeon’s experience.