[Role of sonography as primary diagnostic method in acute abdomen--a prospective study].

A prospective study of 584 consecutive patients presenting with acute abdominal pain was conducted to evaluate the role of ultrasonography as a first-line diagnostic tool for differentiating between surgical and nonsurgical diseases. The study reveals a high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of diverticulitis, cholecystitis, and bowel obstruction. In acute appendicitis the method is highly specific, but the sensitivity is rather low. Taking into account the high rate of specific results, routine ultrasonography can be recommended as a screening method in patients suffering from acute abdominal pain.