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Gastrointestinal Tract

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Diagnostic and Interventional Ultrasound in Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery

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Abstract

Abdominal and gastrointestinal (GI) problems in children comprise a large part of routine daily practice of pediatricians and pediatric surgeons. In many cases, history and physical examination can be pathognomonic, but the correct diagnosis can often be confirmed by a general or focused ultrasound examination of the abdomen. There is a large variability in the sonomorphology of the intestinal tract and the abdomen, therefore anatomical knowledge is a prerequisite to recognize pathological findings. There is a steep learning curve for the operator given the challenges of imaging the dynamic and variable intestine; however, proficiency can be achieved with training and experience. Abdominal ultrasound is widely used in current clinical practice as a first-step imaging modality in the workup of pediatric abdominal pain. Common pathologies diagnosed with ultrasound are hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS), intussusception, appendicitis, cysts, and abscess. Other applications of ultrasound include gastroesophageal reflux (GER), intestinal atresias, malrotation, abdominal cysts, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Hirschsprung’ disease, anorectal malformations, Meckel diverticulum, and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop Street, 15213, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Christine M. Leeper MD

  2. Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, 1215 Lee Street, 22908, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    Sara K. Rasmussen MD, FACS

  3. Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, One Children’s Hospital Drive, 4401 Penn Avenue, 15224, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Stefan Scholz MD, FACS, FAAP

Authors
  1. Christine M. Leeper MD
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  2. Sara K. Rasmussen MD, FACS
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  3. Stefan Scholz MD, FACS, FAAP
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Correspondence to Stefan Scholz MD, FACS, FAAP .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric General & Thoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Stefan Scholz

  2. Section of Pediatric Surgery, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    Marcus D. Jarboe

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Leeper, C., Rasmussen, S., Scholz, S. (2016). Gastrointestinal Tract. In: Scholz, S., Jarboe, M. (eds) Diagnostic and Interventional Ultrasound in Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21699-7_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21699-7_10

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