Abdominal compartment syndrome in children: CT findings

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Published on: April 7, 2023

Monica Epelman1, Michal Soudack, Ahuva Engel

  • 1Department of Radiology, Rambam Medical Centre and the Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Bat-Galim, Haifa 31096, Israel. monica_epelman@hotmail.com

Pediatric Radiology
|April 17, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is a critical condition of elevated intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). Pre-operative CT scans in children revealed key signs like IVC narrowing and bowel wall thickening, aiding early diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) results from elevated intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), leading to organ dysfunction and high mortality.
  • Early diagnosis of ACS is crucial for timely intervention and improved patient outcomes.

Observation:

  • This study reviewed pre-operative abdominal CT scans of three pediatric patients diagnosed with ACS.
  • The objective was to identify radiologic indicators of elevated IAP on CT.

Findings:

  • Common CT findings in pediatric ACS included inferior vena cava (IVC) narrowing, renal compression or displacement, and bowel wall thickening with enhancement.
  • A rounded abdominal contour was also noted as a potential sign of increased intra-abdominal pressure.

Implications:

  • Recognizing these CT findings can assist in the prompt diagnosis and surgical planning for emergency decompression in pediatric ACS.
  • Radiologists should be aware of these signs to effectively communicate critical information to clinicians in emergent situations.

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