IJSR - International Journal of Scientific Research

Volume : VII, Issue : VII, July - 2018

Dr. Sneha Deshpande, Dr. Ajita Nawale, Dr. Saurabh Deshpande

Introduction: The etiologies of abdominal emergencies in children differ notably from that of adults. Fast and accurate diagnosis is imperative due

to the need for instituting immediate and accurate treatment. Ultrasonography (US) is fast and accurate dynamic imaging modality, which involves

no radiation exposure.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the US imaging features of 100 consecutive pediatric patients who were referred to our department with

acute abdominal pain. The different etiologies, their presentations and their complications were analyzed.

Results: The average age of presentation was 8.2 + 1.7 years (4–12 years), with mesenteric volvulus and hypertrophic pyloric stenosis presenting in

first year. The commonest etiology in our series was acute appendicitis (43%), with complications like perforation (34.8 %), peritonitis (4.6 %) and

phelgmon formation (11.6%). Mesenteric adenitis was noted in 5% patients. Ileo–cecal wall thickening with mesenteric lymphadenopathy was

noted in 19% patients, with 47.4% of these diagnosed with Salmonella ileo–cecitis and 52.6% diagnosed with abdominal tuberculosis. 17%

presented with intussusception, with the commonest site being ileo–cecal [12(70.5%)] with one of these (8.3%) showing obstruction. 5% presented

with mesenteric volvulus and HPS each. Other etiologies were urinary tract calculi and liver abscesses.

Conclusion: US can accurately diagnose the commonly encountered pediatric abdominal emergencies and their complications which can expedite

the patient management and hence improve patient outcome.