Evaluation of Diagnostic Accuracy of Contrastenhanced Computed Tomography in Acute Abdomen: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Acute abdomen is one of the most frequent causes of presentation to the Emergency Department (ED). The clinicians favour radiological examinations to reach the proper final diagnosis after thorough physical examinations, lab investigations, and clinical interpretation. Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) imaging aids in preventing delayed necessary treatment or unnecessary surgery.

Aim: To investigate the specificity and sensitivity of CECT in cases of the acute abdomen using histopathological, clinical, and intraoperative surgical findings as gold standards.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Radiology, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, from September 2020-2022. Evaluation of 115 patients was done based on inclusion (Patients presenting with clinical symptoms of acute abdomen and undergoing CECT Abdomen, followed by a clinical, biochemical, surgical, or histopathological examination) and exclusion criteria. Sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), Negative Predictive Value (NPV), and accuracy of CECT was calculated. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.

Results: The study included 115 patients with ages ranging from 9-88 years. An increased incidence in males was observed, M:F ratio of 1.4:1. The most common age group was 31-40 years (n-25; 21.7%), followed by 41-50 years (n-20; 17.4%). Cholecystitis was the most common cause of acute abdomen, accounting for 22.6% (n-26) of total cases followed by appendicitis. The overall accuracy rate of CECT was 93% with an accuracy of 98-99% in cases of cholecystitis appendicitis, pancreatitis, ovarian cyst, and bowel obstruction.

Conclusion: CECT shows higher sensitivity and specificity in identifying different aetiology of acute abdomen. It also helps in optimal decision-making for management and improved outcomes.