[Abdominal ultrasonography in infants and children]

Ultrasonography is very useful and suitable for evaluating abdominal masses especially in infants and children, because it is a noninvasive, painless method and does not utilize ionizing radiation. Since 1962 we have examined various abdominal diseases in the pediatric field using ultrasonic machines with A-mode, bistable and gray scale contact compound scanners. Currently, it has become much easier to find very small lesions in the abdomen with a real time B-scanner. Hepatocarcinoma, choledochal cyst, neuroblastoma, ovarian teratoma, Wilm's tumor and hydronephroureter were presented and their echographic features were discussed. Pediatric abdominal ultrasonography is a very important modality for making accurate and quick decisions in the treatment of diseased infants and children.