Abstract
Aim: To determine the diagnostic performance of the
Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) in pediatric patients with suspected
acute appendicitis.
Method: descriptive, cross-sectional, observational and
correlational study of diagnostic tests. We selected 51 individuals
between 3-16 years old with histopathology performed at the ”Manuel de
Jesus Rivera” Children’s Hospital during the period from June to August
2016. We analyzed the differences between means using analysis of
variance (ANOVA) and a diagnostic threshold was determined using Areas
Under the Curve (ROC).
Results : The diagnostic yield of NLR in suppurative
appendicitis was: Sensitivity (SE) 94%, Specificity (SP) 40% (95% CI:
0.44-0.68, P: 0.97); Appendicitis gangrenous SE: 92% and SP: 80.7% CI
95%: 0.68-0.92, P: 0.01); Perforated appendicitis SE: 70% and SP
96.1% (95% CI: 0.62-0.99, P: 0.002).
Conclusion: RNL is useful in the diagnostic approach for
patients with acute gangrene and suppurative appendicitis.
Key words: Acute appendicitis, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio,
diagnostic utility.