Ultrasound and computed tomography in differentiating between simple and complicated appendicitis in pediatric patients.

Objectives: This study aims to measure the diagnostic accuracy and reliability of US and CT in diagnosing complicated appendicitis among pediatric patients and to find the performance of the imaging modalities in detecting complication signs.

Methods: a systematic review and meta-analysis were done on 15 eligible studies from the Medline Database concerning pediatric appendicitis and its complications. Studies either provided an overall estimate of sensitivity and specificity of the imaging modality or addressed signs of complicated appendicitis The reference standard employed was either surgical findings or histopathology reports.