[Value of abdominal ultrasound in the diagnosis of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis and evaluation of disease severity]

Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi. 2016 Feb;18(2):108-12. doi: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2016.02.003.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the value of abdominal ultrasound in diagnosing neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and its significance in evaluating the disease severity.

Methods: The clinical data of 84 neonates who were diagnosed with NEC between July 2013 and January 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the modified Bell-NEC staging criteria, these neonates were divided into a suspected NEC group (n=44) and a confirmed NEC group (n=40); according to clinical prognosis, they were divided into a medical treatment and full recovery group (n=58) and a surgery/death group (n=26). The changes in the results of abdominal ultrasound and abdominal X-ray plain film were compared between groups.

Results: In the confirmed NEC group, abdominal ultrasound showed significantly higher detection rates of portal venous gas and dilatation of the intestine than abdominal X-ray plain film (P<0.05). Compared with the medical treatment and full recovery group, the surgery/death group had significantly higher detection rates of dilatation of intestine, bowel wall thickening, peritoneal effusion and free intraperitoneal air (P<0.05). Dilatation of the intestine and free intraperitoneal air shown by abdominal X-ray plain film were more common in the surgery/death group.

Conclusions: Abdominal ultrasound is useful for the diagnosis of NEC. Ultrasonic findings can contribute to the prediction of the severity of NEC.

目的: 探讨腹部超声检查对新生儿坏死性小肠结肠炎(NEC)的诊断价值及其在NEC病情评估中的意义。

方法: 回顾性分析2013年7月至2015年1月84例NEC患儿的临床资料。根据修正Bell-NEC分级诊断标准分为NEC疑似组(n=44)、确诊组(n=40);另根据临床转归分为内科治愈组(n=58)和手术/死亡组(n=26), 比较腹部超声及腹部X线平片检查结果在各组中的改变。

结果: 在确诊组, 腹部超声对门静脉积气、肠管扩张的检出率显著高于腹部平片(P < 0.05)。手术/死亡组腹部超声显示肠管扩张、肠壁增厚、腹腔积液及腹腔游离气体的检出率显著高于内科治愈组(P < 0.05);腹部平片仅显示肠管扩张及腹腔游离气体多见于手术/死亡组(P < 0.05)。

结论: 腹部超声在NEC的诊断中有重要作用; 超声表现对预测疾病的严重程度有预测作用。

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen / diagnostic imaging*
  • Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / diagnosis
  • Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / diagnostic imaging*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases / diagnosis
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Ultrasonography