The persistent loop sign in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis: a new indication for surgical intervention?
A new radiographic sign in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis is described. Five patients with necrotizing enterocolitis exhibited an unchanging dilated loop of small bowel, which was followed by perforation in 3 infants; the other 2 had surgical and/or autopsy corroboration of profound bowel-wall necrosis. It is suggested that infants with a "persistent loop" be considered candidates for laparotomy.
D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009336:Necrosis; D011859:Radiography