title: Use of abdominal and pelvic ultrasound in the evaluation of chronic abdominal pain.
abstract: The value of sonography in assessing chronic abdominal pain (CAP) in children, the characteristics of CAP, and the local pediatrician's practice in evaluating CAP are reported. Fifty-seven patients with CAP had abdominal and/or pelvic sonography; 56 were normal. One sonogram showed an ovarian cyst on the side opposite the CAP; the cyst later resolved. Pain was usually localized in the periumbilical area (56%). Follow-up data were obtained from referring physicians and patients' medical records. No serious diagnosis related to CAP was missed. After six months, CAP had resolved in 43% of patients. Of the responding physicians, 61% indicated they would have used more and costlier contrast studies if ultrasonography had been unavailable.
authors.affiliation: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Ohio 45229-2899.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Babcock
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Farrell
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography