Evaluating routine diagnostic imaging in XXXX .

@entity1 @entity697 @entity698 @entity158
AIM: To evaluate the impact of selective imaging on clinical management of @entity1 who present with symptoms suggesting @entity697 . MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a two-and-half year period, 941 consecutive @entity1 with right lower @entity158 were analyzed. @entity1 who underwent selective imaging were compared to those treated without further imaging. RESULTS: In 650 (69%) @entity1 with right lower @entity158 , diagnosis was based on medical history, physical and laboratory examination only. The diagnostic accuracy was 84%. Another 291 @entity1 (31%) underwent selective imaging reaching a diagnostic accuracy of 71%. Ultrasound was conducted in 277 @entity1 (sensitivity: 59%; specificity: 91%). CT scan was conducted in 43 @entity1 (sensitivity: 100%; specificity: 95%). CONCLUSION: The present study shows that, in the majority of @entity1 , @entity698 acuta can be diagnosed without the aid of imaging studies. In all these cases, high diagnostic accuracy rates and low morbidity rates were achieved. In all the other cases when clinical diagnosis is uncertain, further evaluation should include imaging. In our series ultrasound is of limited value; CT scan or diagnostic laparoscopy seems superior.
