title: Necrotizing enterocolitis of infancy. Early roentgen patterns as a guide to prompt diagnosis.
abstract: Necrotizing enterocolitis of infancy most commonly affects premature infants during the first several weeks of life. In most cases it is a devastating condition that often progresses to severe complications of death. The classic abnormalities, such as gas in the bowel wall and/or portal vein, are generally late manifestations. The author has consistently observed several distinct radiographic findings in early stages of the disease: (a) ileus and elongation of bowel loops; (b) loss of bowel wall definition; and (c) a disorganized, atonic pattern of intestinal gas. These findings are helpful in early diagnosis, particularly when the clinical features are nondiagnostic.
mesh_terms: D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography