The Diagnostic Properties of the Translated Chinese Whooley Questionnaire as A Case-Finding Instrument for Depression Among Chinese Women During and After Pregnancy

Abstract Introduction: Rising prevalence and undetected perinatal depression has been described in many countries and report that treating those who are already symptomatic, more effort should be targeted towards screening strategies to identify perinatal depression at the early stage. The Whooley questions is the recommended case finding strategy to aid the identification of perinatal depression. An official Chinese version has not been validated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and stability of the translated Whooley questionnaire against the gold standard measurement during pregnancy (antenatal) and early after pregnancy (postnatal).Materials and method: This observational study recruited 131 pregnant women from antenatal clinics in a hospital setting from September 2019 till May 2020 in Hong Kong. We translated the Whooley questionnaire in Chinese and evaluated self-reported responses against an interviewer assessed diagnostic standard (DSM-IV criteria) among 107 women receiving antenatal care at 26-28 weeks gestation. We calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and diagnostic odds ratio, with DSM-IV diagnosis taken as the gold standard.Results: Antenatally, the Chinese Whooley questions had a sensitivity of 79% (95% CI 54.4-93.9), a specificity of 97% (95% CI 90.4-99.3), a positive likelihood ratio of 23.2 (95% CI 7.4-72.1) and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.2 (95% CI 0.1-0.5) in identifying perinatal depression. Conclusion: Prevalence of depression in pregnancy have increased and screening early remains a significant tool in Western countries. The translated Chinese Whooley questionnaire appears to have acceptable diagnostic accuracy and can be implemented into health services among Chinese population as only requiring two yes/no questions.

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Diagnostic accuracy of the risk of malignancy index 1 compared to the more recent IOTA ADNEX model in discriminating benign from malignant adnexal masses: a multi-centric study

International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20190871 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 1001

Author(s):

Amita Ray ◽

Divya S. ◽

B. N. Kumar Guru ◽

A. S. Ramaswamy ◽

Bharat Kumar

Keyword(s):

Diagnostic Accuracy ◽

Likelihood Ratio ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Positive Likelihood Ratio ◽

Negative Likelihood Ratio ◽

Adnexal Masses ◽

Medical College ◽

Risk Of Malignancy ◽

Risk Of Malignancy Index ◽

Almost All

Background: Identification of the nature of an adnexal mass can ensure optimum management. Single parameters as well as diagnostic models using a combination of several parameters are in use. The International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) consortium has developed and published the Assessment of Different NEoplasias in the adneXa (ADNEX) model, which differentiates between benign and malignant masses. Authors conducted this study with the aim of finding a cut off value for this model in the study population and comparing the diagnostic accuracy of this model to that of the risk of malignancy (RMI).Methods: Women with adnexal masses admitted to the 3 medical college affiliated hospitals for surgical management were included in this study. Appropriate investigations were done to calculate the RMI-I and ADNEX score for each participant. A cut off score for the ADNEX model was determined and diagnostic accuracy tests were done for comparison.Results: At a cut-off of 29 for the ADNEX model and 200 for RMI model the sensitivity was 75% and 77.8, specificity 100% and 80.6%; Positive Predictive Value (PPV) 100%and 60%; Negative Predictive Value (NPV) 91% and 90.6%; Positive Likelihood ratio of infinity and 4 and a negative Likelihood Ratio of 2.8 and 2.5 respectively.Conclusions: The ADNEX model rates higher than the RMI in almost all tests of diagnostic accuracy and can be used for triaging, framing a referral policy and prioritizing surgery.

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Interpretations of the dial test should be reconsidered. A diagnostic accuracy study reporting sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and likelihood ratios

Journal of ISAKOS Joint Disorders & Orthopaedic Sports Medicine ◽

10.1136/jisakos-2018-000197 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 198-204

Author(s):

Richard Norris ◽

Christian Kopkow ◽

Michael James McNicholas

Keyword(s):

Diagnostic Accuracy ◽

Likelihood Ratio ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Positive Likelihood Ratio ◽

Negative Likelihood Ratio ◽

Knee Ligament ◽

Predictive Values ◽

Medial Knee ◽

Sensitivity Specificity ◽

Dial Test

ObjectivesTo determine the accuracy of the dial test, used alone and in combination with additional clinical tests, in the diagnosis of an isolated posterolateral corner (PLC) injury, combined PLC-posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury or medial knee injury.MethodsA retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic and/or open knee ligament reconstruction surgery was conducted. The dial test was performed in an outpatient’s clinic as part of a routine knee examination. Examination under anaesthetic and intraoperative findings were used as the reference standard test to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the dial test used alone and in combination with other PCL and medial knee tests. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio (LR+) and negative likelihood ratio (LR−) were calculated with corresponding 95% CI.ResultsData from 87 patients were available and included in the data analysis. For an isolated PLC injury, the dial test sensitivity and specificity were 0.20 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.39) and 1.00 (95% CI 0.92 to 1.00). The PPV and NPV were 1.00 (95% CI 0.52 to 1.00) and 0.70 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.80). LR+ and LR− of the dial test detecting isolated PLC injury were infinity (95% CI calculation not possible, infinity) and 0.80 (95% CI 0.41 to 1.57). The diagnostic accuracy of the dial test, when used alone and in combination with other PCL and medial knee tests, was also calculated for combined PLC-PCL and medial knee injuries.ConclusionA negative dial test at 30° of knee flexion can rule out a PLC injury, while a test that is positive at 30° and negative at 90° indicates a PLC injury, without concomitant injury to the PCL or medial knee ligaments. A positive test at both 30° and 90° can indicate isolated PLC, combined PLC-PCL or medial ligament injuries, and other knee examination findings are required to differentially diagnose these injury patterns.Level of evidenceII.

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Abstract 1122‐000033: Automated Detection of Intracerebral Hemorrhage Using Artificial Intelligence: Pilot Deployment of Viz ICH

Stroke: Vascular and Interventional Neurology ◽

10.1161/svin.01.suppl_1.000033 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (S1) ◽

Author(s):

Roshini Kalagara ◽

Susmita Chennareddy ◽

Stavros Matsoukas ◽

Emma Reford ◽

Colton Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Artificial Intelligence ◽

Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽

Diagnostic Accuracy ◽

Likelihood Ratio ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Positive Likelihood Ratio ◽

Negative Likelihood Ratio ◽

Index Test ◽

Scan Time ◽

Initial Care

Introduction : Stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Hemorrhagic strokes are often more severe and associated with higher mortality when compared to ischemic stroke and account for approximately 13% of all strokes. Initial care for patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is in part guided by neuroimaging findings. Non‐contrast computed tomography (NCCT) is often the first imaging obtained in the work up of the acute stroke patient given its diagnostic accuracy for hemorrhage, ubiquity, low cost, and short scan time. Immediate evaluation of imaging by stroke experts, such as neurologists, neurosurgeons, and radiologists, is essential. Artificial intelligence tools can help to expedite image assessment and careteam coordination thereby accelerating time to treatment. In this study, we report on the use of Viz ICH, an AI‐enhanced ICH detection platform, to identify ICH on initial CT and coordinate emergent care in an urban health system with an ICH Center. Methods : All consecutive stroke codes presenting with ICH from May 2019 to August 2019 were eligible for analysis. Non‐contrast CT (NCCT) was conducted for each patient and submitted to the Viz ICH in a prospective fashion. An automated volumetric analysis of these NCCTs was conducted by Viz ICH and assessment was conducted for potential ICH. If suspected ICH was detected, Viz ICH sent an automated prompt to the stroke care team for review. CT impressions provided by radiologists served as the clinical reference standard test and Viz ICH output served as the index test. Diagnostic accuracy tests were then performed. Results : A total of 682 patients were analyzed for ICH, out of which 28 patients were positive for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) (4%) and 654 were negative for hemorrhage (96%) based on radiology impressions. Viz ICH was able to correctly identify hemorrhages in 25/28 patients and non‐hemorrhages in 650/654 patients. Overall, the software had high diagnostic accuracy with 89.3% sensitivity, 99.4% specificity, and an overall accuracy of 99.0%. The software also had a positive predictive value of 86.2%, a negative predictive value of 99.5%, a positive likelihood ratio of 145.98, and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.108. Conclusions : Viz ICH is an AI‐enhanced platform that may help in the diagnosis and detection of ICH, with a sensitivity of 89.3 and a specificity of 99.4% in this preliminary study. Though future validation studies with a larger cohort of patients positive for each type of hemorrhage must be conducted for true diagnostic accuracy data, Viz ICH has the potential to be an adjunct tool to streamline ICH triage, reduce treatment delays, and improve outcomes of patients presenting with ICH.

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MRI and CT imaging biomarkers of cerebral amyloid angiopathy in lobar intracerebral hemorrhage

International Journal of Stroke ◽

10.1177/17474930211062478 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 174749302110624

Author(s):

Ghil Schwarz ◽

Gargi Banerjee ◽

Isabel C Hostettler ◽

Gareth Ambler ◽

David J Seiffge ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽

Diagnostic Accuracy ◽

Likelihood Ratio ◽

Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Positive Likelihood Ratio ◽

Negative Likelihood Ratio ◽

Imaging Biomarkers ◽

Amyloid Angiopathy ◽

Cerebral Amyloid

Background: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), a common cause of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), is diagnosed using the Boston criteria including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers (cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and cortical superficial siderosis (cSS). The simplified Edinburgh criteria include computed tomography (CT) biomarkers (subarachnoid extension (SAE) and finger-like projections (FLPs)). The underlying mechanisms and diagnostic accuracy of CT compared to MRI biomarkers of CAA are unknown. Methods: We included 140 survivors of spontaneous lobar supratentorial ICH with both acute CT and MRI. We assessed associations between MRI and CT biomarkers and the diagnostic accuracy of CT- compared to MRI-based criteria. Results: FLPs were more common in patients with strictly lobar CMB (44.7% vs 23.5%; p = 0.014) and SAE was more common in patients with cSS (61.3% vs 31.2%; p = 0.002). The high probability of the CAA category of the simplified Edinburgh criteria showed 87.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 78.3–93.4) specificity, 29.6% (95% CI: 18.0–43.6) sensitivity, 59.3% (95% CI: 38.8–77.6) positive predictive value, and 66.4% (95%: CI 56.9–75.0) negative predictive value, 2.3 (95% CI: 1.2–4.6) positive likelihood ratio and 0.8 (95% CI 0.7–1.0) negative likelihood ratio for probable CAA (vs non-probable CAA), defined by the modified Boston criteria; the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was 0.62 (95% CI: 0.54–0.71). Conclusion: In lobar ICH survivors, we found associations between putative biomarkers of parenchymal CAA (FLP and strictly lobar CMBs) and putative biomarkers of leptomeningeal CAA (SAE and cSS). In a hospital population, CT biomarkers might help rule-in probable CAA (diagnosed using the Boston criteria), but their absence is probably not as useful to rule it out, suggesting an important continued role for MRI in ICH survivors with suspected CAA.

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Diagnostic accuracy of septic markers for neonatal sepsis

Paediatrica Indonesiana ◽

10.14238/pi48.5.2008.299-305 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 48 (5) ◽

pp. 299

Author(s):

Thermiany AS ◽

W Retayasa ◽

M Kardana ◽

IN Lila

Keyword(s):

Blood Culture ◽

Positive Predictive Value ◽

Negative Predictive Value ◽

Likelihood Ratio ◽

Neonatal Sepsis ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Gold Standard ◽

Positive Likelihood Ratio ◽

Negative Likelihood Ratio ◽

Suspected Sepsis

Background Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of morbidity andmortality. A positive blood culture is the gold standard fordiagnosis of neonatal sepsis. The signs and symptoms suggestingneonatal sepsis are non-specific. There is no rapid and reliablelaboratory test findings for confirmation of etiologic diagnosis.Clinical signs, symptoms, and laboratory examinations are notperceived as sensitive or specific for diagnosis of sepsis.Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracyof the septic markers for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.Methods Blood culture was used as gold standard to compareseptic markers to diagnose neonatal sepsis. Sensitivity, specificity,positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV),positive and negative likelihood ratio (LR), and accuracy werecalculated.Results We identified 130 cases suspected of neonatal sepsis duringSeptember 2005 until March 2006. Four patients were excludedbecause of major congenital anomalies. The mean age was 2.2 daysand 51.6% were boys. We found fifty six (44.4%) neonates havepositive blood culture. All of septic markers had sensitivity morethan 80%. Immature to Total Neutrophil ratio (Iff) ratio had thehighest sensitivity (96.4%) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) had thelowest sensitivity (80.4o/o). Combination among leukocyte count,thrombocyte, and Iff ratio had the highest sensitivity (sensitivitywas 85. 7%, specificity was 97.1 o/o, positive predictive value was95.9%, negative predictive value was 89.5%, accuracy was 94.4%,and positive likelihood ratio was 30.0).Conclusion Septic markers can be used in the diagnosticevaluation of neonates with suspected sepsis.

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The Potential Diagnostic Accuracy of Circulating MicroRNAs for Leukemia: A Meta-Analysis

Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment ◽

10.1177/15330338211011958 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

pp. 153303382110119

Author(s):

Wen-Ting Zhang ◽

Guo-Xun Zhang ◽

Shuai-Shuai Gao

Keyword(s):

Diagnostic Accuracy ◽

Likelihood Ratio ◽

Subgroup Analysis ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Positive Likelihood Ratio ◽

Negative Likelihood Ratio ◽

Diagnostic Odds Ratio ◽

Circulating Micrornas ◽

Sensitivity Specificity

Background: Leukemia is a common malignant disease in the human blood system. Many researchers have proposed circulating microRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis of leukemia. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of circulating miRNAs in the diagnosis of leukemia. Methods: A comprehensive literature search (updated to October 13, 2020) in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wanfang database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) was performed to identify eligible studies. The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the curve (AUC) for diagnosing leukemia were pooled for both overall and subgroup analysis. The meta-regression and subgroup analysis were performed to explore heterogeneity and Deeks’ funnel plot was used to assess publication bias. Results: 49 studies from 22 publications with a total of 3,489 leukemia patients and 2,756 healthy controls were included in this meta-analysis. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio and area under the curve were 0.83, 0.92, 10.8, 0.18, 59 and 0.94, respectively. Subgroup analysis shows that the microRNA clusters of plasma type could carry out a better diagnostic accuracy of leukemia patients. In addition, publication bias was not found. Conclusions: Circulating microRNAs can be used as a promising noninvasive biomarker in the early diagnosis of leukemia.

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Circulating tumour DNA methylation in hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis using digital droplet PCR

Journal of International Medical Research ◽

10.1177/0300060521992962 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 49 (3) ◽

pp. 030006052199296

Author(s):

Juan Wang ◽

Liu Yang ◽

Yanjun Diao ◽

Jiayun Liu ◽

Jinjie Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Dna Methylation ◽

Likelihood Ratio ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Positive Likelihood Ratio ◽

Negative Likelihood Ratio ◽

Control Group ◽

Control Subjects ◽

Droplet Pcr ◽

Healthy Control

Objective To evaluate the performance of a DNA methylation-based digital droplet polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) assay to detect aberrant DNA methylation in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and to determine its application in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The present study recruited patients with liver-related diseases and healthy control subjects. Blood samples were used for the extraction of cfDNA, which was then bisulfite converted and the extent of DNA methylation quantified using a ddPCR platform. Results A total of 97 patients with HCC, 80 healthy control subjects and 46 patients with chronic hepatitis B/C virus infection were enrolled in the study. The level of cfDNA in the HCC group was significantly higher than that in the healthy control group. For the detection of HCC, based on a cut-off value of 15.7% for the cfDNA methylation ratio, the sensitivity and specificity were 78.57% and 89.38%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy was 85.27%, the positive predictive value was 81.91% and the negative predictive value was 87.20%. The positive likelihood ratio of 15.7% in HCC diagnosis was 7.40, while the negative likelihood ratio was 0.24. Conclusions A sensitive methylation-based assay might serve as a liquid biopsy test for diagnosing HCC.

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Test characteristics of history, examination and investigations in the evaluation for septic arthritis in the child presenting with acute non-traumatic limp. A systematic review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038088 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. e038088

Author(s):

Jacky Tu ◽

Peter Gowdie ◽

Julian Cassar ◽

Simon Craig

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Diagnostic Accuracy ◽

Septic Arthritis ◽

Quality Assessment ◽

Likelihood Ratio ◽

Risk Prediction ◽

Positive Likelihood Ratio ◽

Negative Likelihood Ratio ◽

Prediction Tools ◽

Clinical Risk

BackgroundSeptic arthritis is an uncommon but potentially significant diagnosis to be considered when a child presents to the emergency department (ED) with non-traumatic limp. Our objective was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of clinical findings (history and examination) and investigation results (pathology tests and imaging) for the diagnosis of septic arthritis among children presenting with acute non-traumatic limp to the ED.MethodsSystematic review of the literature published between 1966 and June 2019 on MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Studies were included if they evaluated children presenting with lower limb complaints and evaluated diagnostic performance of items from history, physical examination, laboratory testing or radiological examination. Data were independently extracted by two authors, and quality assessment was performed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool.Results18 studies were identified, and included 2672 children (560 with a final diagnosis of septic arthritis). There was substantial heterogeneity in inclusion criteria, study setting, definitions of specific variables and the gold standard used to confirm septic arthritis. Clinical and investigation findings were reported using varying definitions and cut-offs, and applied to differing study populations. Spectrum bias and poor-to-moderate study design quality limit their applicability to the ED setting.Single studies suggest that the presence of joint tenderness (n=189; positive likelihood ratio 11.4 (95% CI 5.9 to 22.0); negative likelihood ratio 0.2 (95% CI 0.0 to 1.2)) and joint effusion on ultrasound (n=127; positive likelihood ratio 8.4 (95% CI 4.1 to 17.1); negative likelihood ratio 0.2 (95% CI 0.1 to 0.3)) appear to be useful. Two promising clinical risk prediction tools were identified, however, their performance was notably lower when tested in external validation studies.DiscussionDifferentiating children with septic arthritis from non-emergent disorders of non-traumatic limp remains a key diagnostic challenge for emergency physicians. There is a need for prospectively derived and validated ED-based clinical risk prediction tools.

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A20 DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF A LOW COST, WIDELY AVAILABLE TEST STRIP FOR PREDICTING A POSITIVE FECAL CALPROTECTIN TEST

Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology ◽

10.1093/jcag/gwab002.019 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 210-212

Author(s):

R Trasolini ◽

S Wong ◽

B Salh

Keyword(s):

Sample Size ◽

Likelihood Ratio ◽

Gold Standard ◽

Low Cost ◽

Positive Likelihood Ratio ◽

Negative Likelihood Ratio ◽

Rapid Test ◽

Test Strip ◽

Fecal Calprotectin ◽

Type I

Abstract Background Fecal calprotectin is a non-invasive test of colonic inflammation used for monitoring inflammatory bowel disease activity and for risk stratifying non-specific colonic symptoms. Calprotectin is a leukocyte specific enzyme. A similar test, leukocyte esterase is used to detect leukocytes in urine and is widely available as a low-cost point-of-care test strip. We hypothesize that an unmodified version of the urine test strip would be highly accurate in predicting a positive fecal calprotectin test in a real world sample of patients. Aims To explore a low cost, rapid alternative to the fecal calprotectin test Methods All inpatient and outpatient stool samples tested for calprotectin by the Vancouver General Hospital laboratory from February 2020 to November 2020 were included prospectively. Samples were simultaneously tested for fecal leukocyte esterase using an unmodified Roche Cobas Chemstrip urinalysis test strip by central lab personnel. An identical aliquot was sent to LifeLabs for calprotectin as per standard protocol. All samples were suspended in buffer using established laboratory protocols prior to testing. Fecal leukocyte esterase results were reported as 0–4+ based on visual interpretation, calprotectin results were reported as mcg/g of stool. REB review and approval was obtained prior to data collection. Sensitivity, Specificity and AUROC were calculated using Microsoft Excel and JROCFIT. Results 26 samples were collected. Using a fecal calprotectin greater than 120 mcg/g as a gold standard an AUROC of 0.89 (SE= .06) was calculated. A leukocyte esterase reading of 2+ or greater had the best test characteristics based on ROC curve analysis. Using this cutoff, 21/26 samples were concordant, giving an accuracy of 80.8%, sensitivity of 90.9% and specificity of 73.3%. Positive likelihood ratio was 8.07 and negative likelihood ratio was 0.29. Assuming an AUROC of 0.8, the sample size N=26 is 90% powered (β=0.9) to predict the true AUROC within 0.1 with a type I error rate of .05 (α<.05). Conclusions This study suggests application of a prepared stool sample to a urinalysis test strip gives a result highly predictive of a positive fecal calprotectin test. Further results are being collected prospectively to improve the robustness of these preliminary data. Secondary outcomes including comparison to endoscopy and biopsy results where available are planned if an adequate sample size can be accrued. Future studies justifying independent clinical use of leukocyte esterase would require a common gold standard comparator such as endoscopy. Fecal calprotectin testing is not universally insured and is not available as a rapid test strip. Use of fecal leukocyte esterase may reduce costs and shorten time to results if proven to be independently reliable. Funding Agencies None

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Misuse of ultrasound for palpable undescended testis by primary care providers: A prospective study

Canadian Urological Association Journal ◽

10.5489/cuaj.3242 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 9 (11-12) ◽

pp. 387 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nathan C Wong ◽

Rahul K Bansal ◽

Armando J Lorenzo ◽

Jorge DeMaria ◽

Luis H Braga

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Physical Examination ◽

Likelihood Ratio ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Undescended Testis ◽

Positive Likelihood Ratio ◽

Negative Likelihood Ratio ◽

Primary Care Providers ◽

Care Providers ◽

Hospital Patients

Introduction: Although previous evidence has shown that ultrasound is unreliable to diagnose undescended testis, many primary care providers (PCP) continue to misuse it. We assessed the performance of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool for palpable undescended testis, as well as the diagnostic agreement between PCP and pediatric urologists.Methods: We performed a prospective observational cohort study between 2011 and 2013 for consecutive boys referred with a diagnosis of undescended testis to our tertiary pediatric hospital. Patients referred without an ultrasound and those with non-palpable testes were excluded. Data on referring diagnosis, pediatric urology examination and ultrasound reports were analyzed.Results: Our study consisted of 339 boys. Of these, patients without an ultrasound (n = 132) and those with non-palpable testes (n = 38) were excluded. In the end, there were 169 pateints in this study. Ultrasound was performed in 50% of referred boys showing 256 undescended testis. The mean age at time of referral was 45 months. When ultrasound was compared to physical examination by the pediatric urologist, agreement was only 34%. The performance of ultrasound for palpable undescended testis was: sensitivity = 100%; specificity = 16%; positive predictive value = 34%; negative predictive value = 100%; positive likelihood ratio = 1.2; and negative likelihood ratio = 0. Diagnosis of undescended testis by PCP was confirmed by physical examination in 30% of cases, with 70% re-diagnosed with normal or retractile testes.Conclusion: Ultrasound performed poorly to assess for palpable undescended testis in boys and should not be used. Although the study has important limitations, there is an increasing need for education and evidence-based guidelines for PCP in the management of undescended testis.

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