title: Necrotizing enterocolitis: value of radiographic findings to predict outcome.
abstract: To investigate whether radiographic findings could be used to predict pan-necrosis (necrosis of 75% or more of the jejunum, ileum, and colon), we reviewed the serial abdominal radiographs and clinical records of 147 infants with necrotizing enterocolitis. Pan-necrosis occurred in 29 infants (20%) and was always fatal. The presence and degree of pneumatosis intestinalis, pneumoperitoneum and portal venous gas were studied. Pan-necrosis occurred least frequently in infants with mild or moderate pneumatosis intestinalis (8% and 12%, respectively), and with moderate frequency in those with pneumoperitoneum (33%). Pan-necrosis was found most frequently in infants with severe pneumatosis intestinalis (56%), portal venous gas (61%), or the combination of severe pneumatosis intestinalis and portal venous gas (79%). The mortality rates in these three groups were 63%, 65%, and 86%, respectively. Thus, infants with the worst outcome (those who develop pan-necrosis) can be identified on plain films by detection of severe pneumatosis intestinalis and portal venous gas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Pediatrics, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque 87106.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kosloske
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Musemeche
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Ablin
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bhattacharyya
mesh_terms: D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005734:Gangrene / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011006:Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011169:Portal Vein; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D005740:Gases