Pattern of Abdominal Masses and Evaluation of the Accuracy of Ultrasound in Pediatric Abdominal Masses

Ameenah  Khan; Khadija Tul Kubra; Hassan Junaid  Sarwar; Asma Afzal  Kiani; Nazish  Hameed

doi:10.29054/apmc/2023.1474

Ameenah Khan Senior Registrar, Department of Radiology, Services Hospital, Lahore Pakistan
Khadija Tul Kubra Consultant Radiologist, Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Lahore Cantt Pakistan
Hassan Junaid Sarwar Consultant Radiologist, Armed Forces Institute of Radiology and Imaging, Rawalpindi Pakistan
Asma Afzal Kiani Assistant Professor, Consultant Radiologist, PNS Shifa, Karachi Pakistan
Nazish Hameed Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology in Dr. Faisal Masood Teaching Hospital, Sargodha (SMC) Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.29054/apmc/2023.1474

Keywords: Histopathological, Abdominal masses, Positive predictive value, Negative predictive value, Specificity, Sensitivity, Ultrasound

Abstract

Background: Pediatric abdominal masses encompass a range of diverse lesions, originating from various sources and carrying varying degrees of importance. Nevertheless, ultrasound has emerged as the preferred diagnostic tool for assessing these conditions. Objective: To determine the pattern of abdominal masses and evaluation of the accuracy of ultrasound in pediatric abdominal masses. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Settings: This study was conducted at the Department of Radiology, Services Hospital, Lahore Pakistan. Duration: From August 2022 to February 2023. Methods: This study enrolled 182 pediatric patients who exhibited suspected abdominal masses. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 software, with the significance level set at P < 0.05. Results: Mean age of the study population was 6.45 ± 4.71years. There were 107 (58.79%) were male, while 75 (41.20%) were female. The most common sign or symptom at presentation was "Abdominal Swelling," which was observed in 160 cases, accounting for 97.0% of the cases. "Abdominal Pain" was reported in 52 cases (31.5%), "Weight Loss" in 48 cases (29.1%), "Fever" in 30 cases (18.2%), "Vomiting" in 4 cases (2.4%), "Hematuria" in 8 cases (4.8%), and "Others" in 23 cases (13.9%). Frequency of abdominal masses was 154(84.6%). "Tumors" were identified in 53.2% of the cases while "Organomegaly" was observed in 46.66% cases. The most common was Wilms tumor (24.18%) and Hepatomegaly (22.53%). Ultrasound showed sensitivity (93.55%), specificity (56.67%), overall accuracy was 89.92%, making it generally reliable in predictions. Conclusion: Ultrasonography is a dependable and sensitive tool for diagnosing abdominal masses, with a sensitivity of 93.55% and septicity 56.67% significantly enhancing our diagnostic capabilities. Ultrasonography stands as both a highly sensitive and dependable diagnostic method, known for its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and widespread availability.