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Published on: August 26, 2014
Ultrasound assessment of the bowel: inflammatory bowel disease and conditions beyond
Michael L Francavilla1, Sudha A Anupindi2, Summer L Kaplan2
1Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. francavilm@email.chop.edu.
Insights
Ultrasound (US) is a valuable tool for examining the pediatric bowel, aiding in the diagnosis and follow-up of common childhood diseases. This technique effectively visualizes various bowel pathologies in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Gastrointestinal Imaging
- Medical Ultrasound
Background:
- Ultrasound (US) is a flexible imaging modality for pediatric bowel evaluation.
- It serves as an initial diagnostic tool and for monitoring disease progression.
- Common pediatric gastrointestinal conditions necessitate effective imaging strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a standardized bowel ultrasound (US) technique for pediatric patients.
- To illustrate the capability of US in visualizing key features of pediatric bowel pathologies.
- To enhance the diagnostic utility of US in pediatric gastroenterology.
Main Methods:
- Detailed description of the bowel ultrasound technique employed in pediatric practice.
- Systematic imaging approach to cover relevant bowel segments.
- Correlation of US findings with confirmed diagnoses of pediatric bowel diseases.
Main Results:
- Ultrasound effectively demonstrates normal bowel anatomy in children.
- Specific US features characteristic of various pediatric bowel pathologies are highlighted.
- The study showcases the diagnostic accuracy of US for a range of conditions.
Conclusions:
- Bowel ultrasound is an essential imaging modality for pediatric bowel assessment.
- The described technique allows for comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis of pediatric bowel diseases.
- US provides crucial information for both initial diagnosis and patient follow-up.
Abstract:
Ultrasound (US) is a versatile imaging study for the evaluation of the bowel in children. US imaging of the bowel can be used as the initial examination or in follow-up for many common pediatric diseases. In this article, we highlight our bowel US technique and describe how US can depict the features of a select group of bowel pathologies relevant to pediatric practice.
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