Application of M-mode sonography to functional evaluation in pediatric patients

To assess the feasibility and advantages of functional motion-mode (M-mode) sonography in pediatric patients with various non-cardiac M-mode applications, 50 patients aged 6 days to 14.5 years with megaureter, diaphragmatic palsy and spinal cord malformation were studied. In addition to initial conventional brightness-mode gray-scale ultrasound. M-mode sonography was performed for evaluation of motion and possible impairment. The findings were compared with other imaging results. The impact of the sonographic results on clinical management was evaluated retrospectively. Impaired motion was demonstrated by conventional sonography in all cases. Only M-mode sonography enabled adequate documentation for comparison with follow-up examinations, but allowed only semiquantitative assessment. Thus even gradual improvement or deterioration can be followed in an unbiased way by using a better-documented investigation for comparison, though an objective 'ranking', especially of diaphragmatic movement, could not be achieved. M-mode sonography enables a non-invasive and non-ionizing evaluation and documentation of motion impairment in pediatric patients. It improves documentation of motion and enables a better comparison with previous findings. It is especially useful for follow-up in evolving disease.