title: Use of ultrasound in the detection of occult bowel perforation in neonates.
abstract: Intestinal perforation is a common and serious complication of NEC in neonates. Plain film evidence often is absent in patients with surgically proved perforation. Some patients with NEC develop a distended, gasless abdomen suitable for sonographic evaluation. Five neonates with gasless abdominal distention and clinical decline were studied with ultrasonography. Four patients demonstrated intraperitoneal fluid-debris levels and ascites; all had surgical proof of perforation. The fifth patient did not demonstrate these findings and subsequently recovered. The sonographic findings of ascites and intraperitoneal fluid-debris levels in patients with NEC are suggestive of perforation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Arkansas Children's Hospital, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Seibert
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Kinder
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D014463:Ultrasonography