Intestinal ultrasonographic findings in Schönlein-Henoch syndrome

Thirteen children with Schönlein-Henoch syndrome were evaluated for ultrasonographic changes of the gastro-intestinal tract. One patient was examined twice because of a relapse 1 year later. Out of 14 sonographic scans 10 showed abnormal findings, consisting of circumscribed hypo-echoic asymmetrical enlargement of the intestinal wall, the sonographic result of intramural effusions. One patient also had ileocoecal intussusception. Our results suggest that sonography of the intestine is useful to detect changes of the intestinal wall in Schönlein-Henoch syndrome.