Ultrasound of the bowel in children: how we do it

Advances in US like high-resolution transducers, harmonic imaging and panoramic modality have overcome some of the obstacles for sonography of the small and large bowel that existed in the past. In a number of centers, bowel US is an established routine method both in adults in children. Bowel US has the distinct advantages of being widely available, relatively cheap, free of radiation and easy to perform. In addition, US of the bowel demonstrates both mural and extramural pathological changes. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease have frequent imaging studies due to disease recurrences and need of follow-up after treatment. Thus this group of pediatric patients benefits most from an optimized and standardized bowel US. This review provides a comprehensive step-by-step approach how to perform US of the bowel in children with emphasis on imaging inflammatory bowel changes. It is meant to serve like a recipe and facilitate the routine performance of US of the bowel in children.