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Diagnosis and management of pediatric appendicitis, intussusception, and Meckel diverticulum

Victoria K Pepper1, Amy B Stanfill, Richard H Pearl

  • 1Section of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, Children's Hospital of Illinois, Peoria, IL, USA.

The Surgical Clinics of North America
|May 19, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric surgical abdominal pain from appendicitis, Meckel diverticulum, and intussusception can cause severe illness. Diagnosis varies, with ultrasound preferred for appendicitis and intussusception, but Meckel diverticulum requiring diverse imaging methods.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastrointestinal Disorders
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • Appendicitis, Meckel diverticulum, and intussusception are leading causes of surgical abdominal pain in children.
  • These conditions can present with similar right lower quadrant pain, complicating diagnosis.
  • Delayed diagnosis or treatment can lead to significant morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review diagnostic pathways for common pediatric surgical abdominal pain causes.
  • To compare diagnostic modalities for appendicitis, Meckel diverticulum, and intussusception.
  • To discuss current treatment strategies and areas of ongoing debate for these conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of diagnostic approaches for appendicitis, Meckel diverticulum, and intussusception in pediatric populations.
  • Comparison of imaging techniques, including ultrasound, CT, and MRI, for each condition.
  • Analysis of established and emerging treatment protocols.

Main Results:

  • Ultrasound is the primary diagnostic tool for pediatric appendicitis and intussusception.
  • Diagnosis of Meckel diverticulum presents greater variability in required imaging modalities.
  • All three conditions necessitate prompt recognition and management to prevent complications.

Conclusions:

  • While appendicitis and intussusception have well-defined diagnostic pathways, Meckel diverticulum diagnosis remains challenging.
  • A comprehensive understanding of various diagnostic tools is crucial for effective pediatric surgical abdominal pain management.
  • Further research is needed to standardize diagnostic and treatment approaches for Meckel diverticulum.

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