title: Diagnosis and management of pediatric appendicitis, intussusception, and Meckel diverticulum.
abstract: Three of the most common causes of surgical abdominal pain in pediatric patients include appendicitis, Meckel diverticulum, and intussusception. All 3 can present with right lower quadrant pain, and can lead to significant morbidity and even mortality. Although ultrasound is the preferred method of diagnosis with appendicitis and intussusception, considerable variety exists in the modalities needed in the diagnosis of Meckel diverticulum. This article discusses the pathways to diagnosis, the modes of treatment, and the continued areas of controversy.
authors.affiliation: Section of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, Children's Hospital of Illinois, Peoria, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Victoria K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Pepper
authors.forename: Amy B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Stanfill
authors.forename: Richard H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Pearl
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000601:surgery; D007443:Intussusception / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008467:Meckel Diverticulum / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents