Predictive Value of Mean Platelet Volume and Platelet Distribution Width in Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis: A Cost Effective Tool
Manzoor Ahmed, Mukhtar Mehboob, Mohammad Iqbal, Tanveer Ahmed, Shoaib Ahmed Qureshi
Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the role of mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis
Study design
Prospective cross-sectional observational study.
Place & Duration of study
Department of Surgery, Sandeman (Prov.) Hospital Quetta and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Teaching Hospital Quetta, from January 2021 to December 2021.
Methodology
Patients aged 16 years and above were enrolled. The data collected included age, gender, total WBC, RBC and platelet counts and their indices and histopathology findings of specimen of appendix removed. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. The results were analyzed by Chi-square test and p <0.05 considered significant.
Results
Total 227 cases were analyzed. The age range was from 16 - 70 years. There were 119 male and 108 female patients. Male to female ratio was 1.1:1. There were 120 patients of simple acute appendicitis, 93 complicated appendicitis and 14 normal appendix removed. In complicated cases WBC, percentage of neutrophil count, and PDW were found raised while MPV was lower than reference rage. The sensitivity and specificity for WBC, neutrophils and PDW was high while low for MPV. On statistical analysis MPV and PWD were highly significant (p < 0.001). Other hematological parameters were significant in over all cases while at group wise analysis there was no significant differences between the uncomplicated and normal cases.
Conclusion
Low MPV and high PDW found in almost all cases of complicated appendicitis. Analysis of MPV, PDW along with other hematological markers in routine CBC could be valuable diagnostic tool when acute appendicitis is suspected clinically.
Key words
Acute appendicitis, Mean platelet volume, Platelet distribution width, Diagnostic value.
