Groin Abscess: Assessing The Diagnostic Accuracy Of Emergency Department Clinicians And Imaging Modalities

Objective: To determine the clinical and imaging diagnostic accuracy in adult patients presenting to the Emergency Department with groin abscess. Method: Retrospective chart review of all adult patients presenting to a district general hospital with a provisional diagnosis of groin abscess was undertaken from January 2019 to December 2019. A proforma was used to capture data such as the age, sex, co-morbidities, grade of assessing clinician and imaging profile. Results: 39 patients with a provisional diagnosis of groin abscess were identified; representing approximately 1% of all ED attendances. There were 21 males and 18 females. The age range was from 23 to 73 years (mean age 42). The abscess was located on the left side in 19 patients (49%), 18 (46%) on the right and 2 (5%) were bilateral. The overall rate of correct diagnosis of the ED clinicians compared to CT diagnosis is indicated by a sensitivity of 82%, positive predictive value of 90% and an accuracy of 75%. 22 patients had CT scan which confirmed an abscess in 18 (83%). Conclusion: Groin abscess is a rare presentation to the Emergency department. Most patients were seen by clinicians below the consultant grade. Diagnostic accuracy was highest amongst physicians.