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[Acute abdomen in the child]
M Hörmann1, M Scharitzer, S Puig
1Universitätsklinik für Radiodiagnostik, Abteilung chirurgische Fächer, AKH Wien, Ebene 7F, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Wien/Osterreich. marcus.hoermann@akh-wien.ac.at
Insights
Diagnosing acute abdomen in children requires age-specific approaches due to varying causes and challenges in assessment. Early, accurate diagnosis is crucial for timely therapy in pediatric acute abdominal pain.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Diagnostic Imaging in Children
- Emergency Medicine
Context:
- Acute abdomen in children presents diagnostic challenges due to diverse etiologies across age groups.
- Neonates, toddlers, and school-aged children exhibit distinct causes of acute abdominal pain.
- Adolescents may present with conditions similar to adult acute abdomen.
Purpose:
- To emphasize the importance of age-based stratification in diagnosing pediatric acute abdomen.
- To highlight the difficulties in clinical and radiological assessment of young children due to poor compliance.
- To underscore the necessity of specialized knowledge and experienced personnel for effective management.
Summary:
- The evaluation of acute abdominal pain in children necessitates age-specific diagnostic strategies.
- Challenges in assessing non-compliant pediatric patients require tailored approaches and expertise.
- Collaboration between pediatric radiologists and clinicians is vital for accurate diagnosis and treatment decisions.
Impact:
- Facilitates earlier and more accurate diagnosis of acute abdominal conditions in pediatric patients.
- Improves therapeutic outcomes by addressing age-related disease variations.
- Enhances the management of pediatric acute abdomen through specialized care and interdisciplinary cooperation.
Abstract:
The acute abdomen in childhood demands early diagnosis for the sake of appropriate and early therapy. A high number of differential diagnosis in the assessment of acute abdominal pain and problems, as well as different causes of diseases in different age of the children, make a partition with respect to the age of the children considerable. A partition in diseases, which are leading to acute abdominal pain in neonates, in toddlers and small infants and in schoolchildren makes sense. In older schoolchildren and adolescents also diseases of the grown up generation are possible as a cause of acute abdominal pain. The lack of compliance (cooperation and communication) in small children obstructs clinical and radiological assessment and elucidates the necessity of knowledge of causes of acute abdominal pain as much as possible. A lot of patience and experience are mandatory in the evaluation of small children and therefore make a dedicated, trained and experienced stuff necessary. A dedicated paediatric radiologist will find a safe and proper technique, and in cooperation with the referring clinician the necessary decision for therapy will be made.