Position of a sigmoid colon in right iliac fossa in children: A retrospective study

J Indian Assoc Pediatr Surg. 2011 Jul;16(3):93-6. doi: 10.4103/0971-9261.83485.

Abstract

Aim: The aim was to identify the position of sigmoid colon in children and discuss its clinical significance.

Materials and methods: Ninety-one contrast enema studies were retrospectively evaluated and the position of sigmoid colon categorized as below: Left lower quadrant, right lower quadrant, midline, and indeterminate.

Results: The position of sigmoid colon in the right lower quadrant, left lower quadrant, midline, and indeterminate was 32 (35.16%), 33 (36.26%), 12 (13.19%), and 14 (15.38%), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in mean age (P = 0.87) or gender prevalence (P = 0.49) for different positions of the sigmoid colon.

Conclusion: The sigmoid colon occupies the right lower quadrant in a large number of children. Awareness of this finding is of crucial importance in correct interpretation of abdominal radiographs in the emergency room.

Keywords: Children; radiographs; sigmoid colon.