Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasound in Diagnosing Acute Pancreatitis Taking Findings of Contrast Enhanced CT scan as Gold Standard
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i6.2478Keywords:
Acute Pancreatitis, Ultrasound, CT scan, Diagnostic Accuracy, Sensitivity, Specificity, Imaging ToolsAbstract
Background: Acute pancreatitis is a common and potentially severe condition requiring timely and accurate diagnosis. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) is the definitive method for diagnosing acute pancreatitis. However, ultrasound remains a common first step due to its availability and affordability. Our study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound by comparing its performance with that of CT. Methods: This cross-sectional research took place at the Department of Radiology, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro. We included 237 patients who presented with symptoms suggesting acute pancreatitis. We had evaluated ultrasound results against CT findings. We calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and overall accuracy. Results: Ultrasound correctly identified the majority of confirmed cases. We found a sensitivity of 88.2% and an overall diagnostic accuracy of 85.2%. However, its specificity was lower at 75.8%, resulting in 14 false positives. It also missed 21 cases (false negatives). Thus bringing the NPV down to 67.1%. These numbers suggest that while ultrasound effectively detects most cases, it may not be reliable enough to rule out the condition entirely. Conclusion: Transabdominal ultrasound offers a reliable first step in diagnosing acute pancreatitis, with high sensitivity and practical value in early assessment. However, its moderate specificity limits its use as a standalone tool. CT remains essential for confirmation and staging. Future research should focus on enhancing ultrasound through contrast agents, AI, and elastography to improve accuracy and reduce reliance on CT.
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