Table 4.
Univariate analysis of demographic, history, laboratory and bedside ultrasound (BUS) characteristics of subjects with and without appendicitis.
| Variable (Mean/percentage) | Subjects with appendicitis | Subjects without appendicitis | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographics | |||
| Age (years) | 20.4 | 20.1 | 0.749 |
| Sex (percentage male) | 71.1 | 38.0 | 0.001 |
| BMI | 24.0 | 24.3 | 0.523 |
| Duration of symptoms (hours) | 30.6 | 39.9 | 0.289 |
| Presenting symptoms | |||
| Anorexia | 86.7 | 62.9 | 0.005 |
| Fever > 100.4°F | 21.4 | 14.3 | 0.330 |
| Nausea | 81.8 | 61.8 | 0.024 |
| Vomiting | 60.0 | 41.4 | 0.052 |
| Diarrhea | 13.3 | 18.6 | 0.460 |
| Pain in RLQ | 97.8 | 91.4 | 0.243 |
| Migration of pain to RLQ | 62.2 | 48.5 | 0.154 |
| Laboratory results | |||
| WBC count (103/mm3) | 15.6 | 9.7 | <0.001 |
| PMN percentage | 82.6 | 67.3 | <0.001 |
| BUS findings | |||
| Visualization of appendix | 80.0 | 37.7 | <0.001 |
| Appendix diameter > 6mm | 91.9 | 48.5 | <0.001 |
| Appendix wall thickness > 2mm | 50.0 | 20.0 | 0.018 |
| Appendix non-compressible | 94.1 | 75.9 | 0.068 |
| Fecalith within appendix | 24.3 | 17.6 | 0.491 |
| Complex mass in RLQ | 30.6 | 12.8 | 0.061 |
| Periappendiceal free fluid collection | 77.8 | 33.3 | <0.001 |
| Appendiceal tip visualized | 55.6 | 91.9 | <0.001 |
| Sonographic McBurney’s sign | 54.7 | 45.3 | 0.016 |
BMI, body mass index; RLQ, right lower quadrant; WBC, white blood cell; PMN, polymorphonuclear percentage