title: Computed tomography scan measurement of abdominal wall thickness for application of near-infrared spectroscopy probes to monitor regional oxygen saturation index of gastrointestinal and renal circulations in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure abdominal wall thickness to determine the depth at which the renal vascular bed and mesenteric vascular bed are located, and to determine the appropriate site for placement of near-infrared spectroscopy probes for accurate monitoring regional oxygen saturation index in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Abdominal computerized tomography scans in children were used to measure the abdominal wall thickness and to ascertain the location of kidneys.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary care children's hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children 0-18 yrs of age; n = 38.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main mass of the kidneys is located between vertebral levels T12 and L2 on both sides. The left kidney is located about a half-vertebral length higher than the right kidney. Posterior abdominal wall thickness ranged from 6.6 to 115.8 mm (median, 22.1 mm). Posterolateral abdominal wall thickness ranged from 6.7 to 114.5 mm (median, 19.6 mm). Anterior abdominal wall thickness in the supraumbilical level ranged from 3.5 to 62.9 mm (median, 16.0 mm). All abdominal wall thicknesses correlated better with weight of the subjects than their age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abdominal wall thickness potentially exceeds the sampling depth of currently used near-infrared spectroscopy probes above a certain body size. Application of current near-infrared spectroscopy probes and design of future probes should consider patient size variations in the pediatric population.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Texas School of Medicine at Houston, Houston, TX, USA. dbalaguru@gmail.com
authors.forename: Duraisamy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Balaguru
authors.forename: Utpal
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bhalala
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haghighi
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Norton
mesh_terms: D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000502:physiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000098:blood supply*; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed