A prospective diagnostic accuracy study of the Alvarado score in a Croatian hospital – is it time for a final conclusion?

The Alvarado scoring system proved to be a worse predictor of the diagnosis of AA compared to the assessment of an experienced surgeon and is not an adequate diagnostic tool for confirming the diagnosis. Only in a narrow group of patients in whom, based on the clinical examination, an indication for surgery has already been established, the Alvarado scoring system can potentially be useful in excluding the diagnosis with considerable caution in terms of close follow-up of the patient.<b>Abbreviations</b>: MSCT: multislice computed tomography; AA: acute appendicitis.