Pediatric radiology
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Pediatric radiology · Dec 2015
Development and validation of an ultrasound scoring system for children with suspected acute appendicitis.
To facilitate consistent, reliable communication among providers, we developed a scoring system (Appy-Score) for reporting limited right lower quadrant ultrasound (US) exams performed for suspected pediatric appendicitis. ⋯ A scoring system and structured template for reporting US exam results for suspected pediatric appendicitis was successfully adopted by a pediatric radiology department at a large tertiary children's hospital and stratifies risk for children based on their likelihood of appendicitis.
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Pediatric radiology · Dec 2015
Volvulus of the entire small bowel with normal bowel fixation simulating malrotation and midgut volvulus.
Midgut volvulus is a complication of malrotation of bowel and mesenteric malfixation. In contrast, primary volvulus of the small bowel is a distinctly different and rare entity characterized by torsion of the entire small bowel with normal mesenteric fixation. ⋯ Primary small bowel volvulus with normal fixation is indistinguishable from malrotation with midgut volvulus in the acutely ill infant or child. Radiographic diagnosis can be difficult in patients with intermittent or incomplete small bowel volvulus without malrotation. In these patients, neither an upper gastrointestinal series demonstrating a normal position of the duodenojejunal junction nor the sonographic demonstration of a retromesenteric third portion of the duodenum excludes the diagnosis. In young infants, the clinical and imaging findings may mimic necrotizing enterocolitis. Sonography may be useful to evaluate the bowel for signs of bowel wall compromise or a whirlpool sign.
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Pediatric radiology · Dec 2015
Pediatric appendiceal ultrasound: accuracy, determinacy and clinical outcomes.
Ultrasonography is considered the most appropriate initial imaging study in the evaluation of acute appendicitis in children but has recently come under criticism with reports of low specificity and high indeterminate study rates, particularly when used in obese patients and patients early in the course of their disease, or when performed by sonographers with limited experience. ⋯ US should be the initial imaging study of choice for pediatric appendicitis. When a definitive interpretation was given, the accuracy was 96%, was independent of patient and system factors and resulted in reduced follow-up CTs and negative laparotomies. Accuracy can be increased by requiring the presence of periappendiceal inflammatory changes prior to interpreting a mildly distended appendix as positive for acute appendicitis. The indeterminate study rate can be reduced by not requiring visualization of the normal appendix for the exclusion of acute appendicitis.