Comparison of Ultrasound Results Performed by Emergency Medicine and Radiology Assistants in the Diagnosis of Testicular Diseases for Visitors in Emergency Departments in Kermanshah

Abstract

Background: Scrotum pain is a common complaint in urology patients. Its diagnosis can be challenging, and a complete history and physical examination of the patient will be required for all acute and chronic scrotum pain. The present study was designed to compare the results of the performed ultrasound by emergency medicine and radiology assistants in the diagnosis of testicular disease for visitors who have been referred to the emergency department of Imam Reza hospital in Kermanshah. Materials and Methods: In general, 100 patients with testicle injuries and acute scrotum pain who were referred to the emergency department of the hospital from September 2017 to September 2019 were evaluated in this analytical cross-sectional study. The kappa coefficient was used to assess the contingency between the diagnosis of performed ultrasound by the emergency medicine assistants and radiology assistants. Results: The obtained value (82.5%) of this coefficient showed a high contingency between the diagnosis of testicle disease by radiology assistants and emergency medicine assistants, and this contingence was statistically significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: Based on the kappa coefficient (82.5%) for evaluating the contingency diagnosis of performed ultrasound, a high level of contingency was found between the diagnosis of testicle disease by radiology assistants and emergency medicine assistants. A value higher than 75% of the kappa coefficient indicates that the desired contingency performing an ultrasound with an emergency medicine specialist causes a reduction in time wastage and costs for patients and provides quicker access to treatment and a chance of less complications for the patients.