title: Meconium in perinatal imaging: associations and clinical significance.
abstract: An abnormal location, distribution, volume, or appearance of meconium is associated with a spectrum of bowel abnormalities, including atresia, obstruction, perforation, fistula, aganglionosis, immaturity, and absorptive dysfunction. This review discusses the fetal and perinatal imaging of these entities, their differential diagnoses, clinical significance, and appropriate imaging workup. Understanding the spectrum of normal and abnormal, specific and nonspecific appearances of meconium and its associated abnormalities on imaging will provide a practical, useful framework for performing and interpreting imaging studies and guiding clinical management.
authors.affiliation: David Grant USAF Medical Center, Travis AFB, CA.
authors.forename: Theodore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jerdee
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Radiology, Lucile Packard Children׳s Hospital, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA. Electronic address: bev.newman@stanford.edu.
authors.forename: Beverley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Radiology, Lucile Packard Children׳s Hospital, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rubesova
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007422:Intestines / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008470:Meconium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal