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Use of ultrasound in the detection of occult bowel perforation in neonates

1993; Wiley; Volume: 12; Issue: 9 Linguagem: Inglês

10.7863/jum.1993.12.9.531

1550-9613

S F Miller, J. J. Seibert, David L. Kinder, A.R.M. Wilson,

Pediatric Hepatobiliary Diseases and Treatments

Intestinal perforation is a common and serious complication of NEC in neonates. Plain film evidence often is absent in patients with surgically proved perforation. Some patients with NEC develop a distended, gasless abdomen suitable for sonographic evaluation. Five neonates with gasless abdominal distention and clinical decline were studied with ultrasonography. Four patients demonstrated intraperitoneal fluid-debris levels and ascites; all had surgical proof of perforation. The fifth patient did not demonstrate these findings and subsequently recovered. The sonographic findings of ascites and intraperitoneal fluid-debris levels in patients with NEC are suggestive of perforation.