AbstractBackground: Detection of hepatic abscess is very crucial for the management of the patient.
Objective: The purpose of the present study was to validate the diagnostic ability of CT-scan during detection of hepatic abscess.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Radiology and Imaging at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH), Mymensingh, Banghabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka and Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Dhaka during the period of January 2006 to December 2007 for a period of two (02) years. Patients admitted in the Department of Medicine and Department of Hepatobiliary of MMCH, BSMMU, and DMCH with the clinical diagnosis of hepatic abscess with the presentation of fever, abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, jaundice, weight loss and ascites were selected as study population. CT scan and histopathology were performed to all the patients.
Result: A total number of 50 suspected cases of hepatic abscess patients were recruited for this study. Maximum patients were within 56 to 65 years age range. 15 (30%) patients were within 56 to 65 years age range. In case of hepatic abscess, 11 patients were diagnosed as having hepatic abscess by CT and confirmed by histopathological evaluation. One patient was diagnosed other lesion by CT and confirmed by histopathology. Of 38 patients of other lesions, which were confirmed by CT, two confirmed as hepatic abscess and 36 were other lesions by histopathology. The sensitivity of CT scan in the diagnosis of hepatic abscess was 84.6% (95% CI 54.55% to 98.08%). However specificity was 97.3% (95% CI 85.84% to 99.93%). The accuracy was 94.0% (95% CI 83.45% to 98.75%). The area under the curve value was 0.09 (95% CI 0.000 to 0.211) which was statistically significant.
Conclusion: In conclusion CT-scan has a very high specificity with sensitivity for the detection of hepatic abscess.
