Ultrasound scoring system for acute appendicitis in pediatric patients: A useful tool for the surgeon

BACKGROUND: the aim is evaluate new US signs, other than the already known (primary and secondary), that are positive correlated with histophatological results in pediatric appendicitis. METHODS: Forty pediatric patients (4-18 years old) with clinical suspicious of appendicitis, examinated with convex, microconvex and linear probe. RESULTS: We observed a negative linear correlation both univariate and multivariate analysis between numbers of layers and maximal outer diameter. CONCLUSIONS: is possible to consider the number of layers and the echogenicity pattern of each layer as a further ultrasonography diagnostic sign in case of acute appendicitis.