Journal List > Korean J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr > v.14(3) > 1043509

Korean J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011 Sep;14(3):245-250. Korean.
Published online September 30, 2011.  https://doi.org/10.5223/kjpgn.2011.14.3.245
Copyright © 2011 The Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Usefulness and Pitfall of Abdominal Ultrasonographic Examination by a Pediatrician in Children
Jae Hong Park, M.D.
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea.

Corresponding author (Email: jhongpark@pusan.ac.kr )
Received September 01, 2011; Accepted September 09, 2011.

Abstract

Ultrasonographic examination plays an important role in non-invasive and prompt screening examinations in detecting abdominal diseases. In this review, the author's experience of the usefulness and pitfalls of ultrasonographic examinations in children with gastrointestinal symptoms is presented. A total of 1,000 cases of children who underwent ultrasonographic evaluation in the Department of Pediatrics, Pusan National University Hospital were reviewed. The main causes leading to ultrasonographic evaluation were abdominal pain (43.9%), vomiting (17.3%), elevated liver enzymes (11.8%), and jaundice (9.8%). Abnormal ultrasonographic findings accounted for 57.9% of cases. The major abnormal findings were mesenteric lymphadenitis (29.2%), fatty liver (12.1%), hepatitis (6.4%), hepatosplenomegaly (6.2%), and acute appendicitis (4.8%). The major findings in children with abdominal pain were mesenteric lymphadenitis (32.6%), intussusception (2.7%), and acute appendicitis (2.7%). The major findings in children with vomiting were mesenteric lymphadenitis (12.7%), hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (10.4%), acute appendicitis (3.5%). The major ultrasonographic findings in children with urinary tract diseases were hydronephrosis (45.4%), urolithiasis (21.5%) and cystic renal disease (18.1%). Ultrasonography performed by pediatricians is advantageous because pediatricians are able to perform the procedure with clinical information at the right time.

Keywords: Abdominal ultrasonography; Children; Pediatrician

Tables


 Table 1
Causes Leading to Ultrasonographic Evaluation
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Table 2
Ultrasonographic Findings in Children with Abdominal Pain
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Table 3
Ultrasonographic Findings in Children with Vomiting
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Table 4
Ultrasonographic Findings in Children with Elevated Liver Enzyme
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