Comparison of Ultrasound and Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis of Acute Cholecystitis: A Retrospective Diagnostic Accuracy Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65761/pjcr.2026.277Keywords:
Acute Cholecystitis, Ultrasonography, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Diagnostic Imaging, Gallbladder Diseases, Diagnostic AccuracyAbstract
Background: Acute cholecystitis requires timely diagnosis and treatment. Ultrasound is the preferred first-line imaging modality, while CT is useful when ultrasound findings are inconclusive or complications are suspected. To examine the accuracy of ultrasound and computed tomography in the work of diagnosing acute cholecystitis.
Methods: The study was a retrospective diagnostic accuracy conducted at DHQ Rajanpur from 06 March 2026 to 06 June 2026. having approval from ethical review board (Ref. No. 45-A), dated 06-03-26. The study involving 150 suspected patients of acute cholecystitis, who had undergone both ultrasound and CT studies. The final reference standard diagnosis by using surgical findings in the presence and clinical-radiological correlation in non-operated cases was compared to imaging findings. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and overall accuracy parameters of diagnostic performance were computed. The sensitivity of ultrasound and CT was compared through McNemar test.
Results: 116 patients out of 150 (77.3%), were found to have acute cholecystitis. The sensitivity of ultrasound was found to be 72.4%, and specificity was found to be 88.2% and an overall diagnostic accuracy of 76.7%. The sensitivity (85.3%) and specificity (91.2%) of CT were higher and the general diagnostic accuracy was 86.7%. A statistically significant difference in sensitivity existed (p = 0.021), and CT had a better ability to detect complicated acute cholecystitis.
Conclusion: CT was more sensitive and diagnostic accurate than ultrasound. Ultrasound is still the modality of choice and CT offers useful complementary information in cases where the findings of ultrasound are not decisive or complications are suspected.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Fabiha Zainab, Hafsa Faiz, Maryam Saleem, Razia Kousar, Muhammad Zia ur Rehman, Muhammad Daniyal Zeerak, Muhammad Ahsan Fareed
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