Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background and objective The cardinal diagnostic sign of congenital aganglionic megacolon, or Hirschsprung’s disease (HD), is an aganglionic segment of the distal colon or rectum. To determine the surgical planning of a radiological transition zone (TZ) in HD, this study investigated the association between a radiological TZ and the bowel resection length. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted in children ( n  = 192) with suspected HD determined by radiological TZ on contrast barium enema, and who underwent pull-through operations. The bowel resection length was ≥10 cm above the proximal radiological TZ levels and confirmed by intraoperative frozen sections. In the contrast enema, the presence and level of a radiological TZ were recorded. Correlation of the TZ features with ganglion cells assessed by immunostaining of neuronal nuclei (NeuN) and the odds ratio were calculated. Results The sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing HD by the presence of a radiological TZ were 86.9 and 92.1%, respectively; Youden’s index was 79.0%. The positive and negative predictive values were 91.7 and 87.6%. The kappa value indicating an association between TZ and HD was 0.776 ( P  < 0.05). The correlation rate between a radiological TZ and the pathological results was 88.5% in the rectosigmoid colon and 44.4% in the descending colon, and was higher in children older than 3 months (85.3%) than in infants (69.0%). Conclusion A preoperatively determined radiological TZ has potential value to identify the length of resected bowel in patients with HD, and it also has a high predictive value for diagnosis of HD.

ObjectivesThe aim of study was to compare the accuracy between rectal water contrast transvaginal ultrasound (RWC-TVS) and double-contrast barium enema (DCBE) in evaluating the bowel endometriosis presence as well as its extent.Design and setting198 patients at reproductive age with suspicious bowel endometriosis were included. Physicians in two groups specialised at endometriosis performed RWC-TVS as well as DCBE before laparoscopy and both groups were blinded to other groups’ results. Findings from RWC-TVS or DCBE were compared with histological results. The severity of experienced pain severity through RWC-TVS or DCBE was assessed by an analogue scale of 10 cm.ResultsIn total, 110 in 198 women were confirmed to have endometriosis nodules in the bowel by laparoscopy as well as histopathology. For bowel endometriosis diagnosis, DCBE and RWC-TVS demonstrated sensitivities of 96.4% and 88.2%, specificities of 100% and 97.3%, positive prediction values of 100% and 98.0%, negative prediction values of 98.0% and 88.0%, accuracies of 98.0% and 92.4%, respectively. DCBE was related to more tolerance than RWC-TVS.ConclusionsRWC-TVS and DCBE demonstrated similar accuracies in the bowel endometriosis diagnosis; however, patients showed more tolerance for RWC-TVS than those with DCBE.

Introduction Intussuception remains one of the most common surgical abdominal emergencies in the paediatric population. The aim of this study was first to re-evaluate our non-operative reduction rate of intussusception using multiple interval barium enemas and second to investigate or discuss an audit cycle, providing evidence and validating the modification of clinical practice. Materials and methods This five-year retrospective study performed at one of two institutions at which a paediatric surgical service is offered. Individuals included were all patients under 12-years of age who were diagnosed with intussusception. Factors considered to be influential in the reduction of the intussusception were collected. End points were defined as successful barium enema reduction or surgical intervention. Results were compared with similar research published in 2010. Results Overall prevalence was found to be 12 cases/year, with a sample size of 60 patients, the mean age at presentation of 13.6 months. Barium enema reduction was attempted in 56/60 patients, while 4/60 patients had operative management as a first intervention. Overall reduction rate was 66% (37/56), 78% occurring on first attempt and 22% on the second attempt. There was no evidence of intussusception in 3/19 patients who had operative management as a second intervention. Delayed interval barium enema reduction demonstrated an improved reduction rate of 66% compared with single-use barium enema reduction of 41% (chi square 0.02). Conclusion A significant benefit was achieved by performing delayed interval enema reduction, which contributed to a 61% increased reduction rate, the actual reduction rate approaches 71%. The audit cycle remains of paramount importance to ensure optimum patient care.

Background To summarize the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of acute intussusception. Methods This retrospective study included pediatric patients with acute intussusception admitted to the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, from January 2014 to December 2019. Results A total of 402 infants/children were included (301 males and 101 females) with a mean age of 2.4 ± 1.5 years (2 months to 9 years). Thirty patients (7.5%) had a history of cold food intake, diarrhea, and upper respiratory infection before disease onset. Paroxysmal abdominal pain and crying occurred in 338 patients (84.1%). Eight patients (2.0%) had the typical triad, 167 (41.5%) had vomiting, 24 (6.0%) had bloody stools, and 273 (67.9%) had palpable abdominal mass. The average intussusception depth was 4.0 ± 1.4 cm. Air enema reduction was performed in 344 cases: 335 (97.3%) were successful. Fifty-eight patients were treated with intravenous phloroglucinol (2 mg/kg), and 53 (91.4%) were successful. Sixty-five patients suffered relapses, with a relapse rate of 16.8%. Conclusions Pediatric acute intussusception is common. There was no obvious etiology. The clinical manifestations are mostly atypical. Abdominal pain is the most common complaint. Air enema reduction is an effective treatment. The recurrence rate is high.

Background Preoperative diagnosis of total colonic aganglionosis is important for the rational choice of treatment. The present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of radiographic signs on preoperative barium enema in patients with total colonic aganglionosis. Methods Forty-four patients [41 (3-659) days] with total colonic aganglionosis, including 17 neonatal patients, who received preoperative barium enema at Beijing Children’s Hospital, from January 2007 to December 2019 were included. All radiographs were retrospectively restudied by 2 pediatric radiologists to ascertain radiographic signs including rectosigmoid index, transition zone, irregular contraction, gas-filled small bowel, microcolon, question-mark-shaped colon and ileocecal valve reflux. Kappa test was performed to assess the accuracy and consistency of the radiographic signs. Results The 2 radiologists showed slight agreement for gas-filled small bowel, microcolon and rectosigmoid index, fair agreement for transition zone and irregular contraction, and moderate agreement for question-mark-shaped colon and ileocecal valve reflux (Kappa values, 0.043, 0.075, 0.103, 0.244, 0.397, 0.458 and 0.545, respectively). In neonatal patients, the 2 radiologists showed moderate agreement for ileocecal valve reflux and substantial agreement for question-mark-shaped colon (Kappa values, 0.469 and 0.667, respectively). In non-neonatal patients, the 2 radiologists showed substantial agreement for ileocecal valve reflux (Kappa value, 0.628). In 36 patients with total colonic aganglionosis extending to the ileum, the accuracies of question-mark-shaped colon, ileocecal valve reflux and the combination of both were 47%, 53%, and 75%, respectively, in one radiologist and 53%, 50% and 72%, respectively, in the other radiologist. Conclusions Ileocecal valve reflux is a relatively reliable radiographic sign for diagnosing total colonic aganglionosis and could improve the diagnostic accuracy upon combination with question-mark-shaped colon.

PurposeWe aim to evaluate the diagnostic performance and relationship between clinical characteristics, imaging findings, and final diagnosis for the neonatal contrast enema (CE).MethodsRetrospective 10-year review of all neonatal CEs including imaging findings, clinical information, indication, and final diagnosis from discharge summaries, surgical reports, and pathology (reference standard). Two blinded pediatric radiologists reinterpreted 366 CEs for obstruction, microcolon, rectosigmoid index (RSI), serrations, meconium, ileal cut-off, transition zone, diagnosis, and level of confidence. CE diagnostic performance was calculated versus reference standard.ResultsDiagnoses included Hirschsprung disease (HD) (15.8%), small left colon syndrome (14.8%), small intestinal atresia/colonic atresia (SIA/CA) (12.6%), meconium ileus (MI) (4.4%), and normal (48.9%). CE had a moderate specificity (87.7%) and low sensitivity (65.5%) for HD; abnormal RSI and serrations showed high specificities (90.3%, 97.4%) but low sensitivities (46.6%, 17.2%). CE showed high specificity (97.4%) and low sensitivity (56.3%) for MI blinded to cystic fibrosis status. Microcolon was specific (96.6%) but not sensitive (68.8%) for MI. CE showed highest PPV (73.1%) (specificity 95.6%, sensitivity 82.6%) for SIA/CA. Microcolon with an abrupt cut-off was specific (99.1%) but not sensitive (41.3%) for atresias.ConclusionNeonatal CE demonstrates high specificities and low to moderate sensitivities across all diagnoses, with lowest performance in HD.Clinical trial registrationNone.

Background Immaturity of ganglia (IG) is an extremely rare disease and always requires surgical intervention in the neonatal period, but without guidelines to choose the ideal enterostomy procedure, the timing of stoma closure remains controversial. The aim of this study was to report our experience using Santulli enterostomy for the treatment of nine infants diagnosed with IG. Methods Patients who underwent Santulli enterostomy and were diagnosed with IG in our center between 2016 and 2021 were retrospectively studied. Temporary stoma occlusion and a 24-h delayed film of barium enema (BE) were performed to evaluate intestinal peristalsis function to determine the timing of stoma closure. The demographic data, clinical and radiological findings, stoma occlusion and stoma closure results were explored. Results A total of 9 infants underwent Santulli enterostomy and were diagnosed with IG postoperatively. Their median gestational age at birth was 36 weeks (range 31–42), and their median birth weight was 2765 g (range 1300–3400). All patients had symptom onset in the neonatal period, including abdominal distension and biliary vomiting. Eight patients showed obvious small bowel dilatation in the plain films, except for one patient’s films that suggested gastrointestinal perforation with free gas downstream of the diaphragm. BE was performed in 6 patients, all of which had microcolons. The median age at operation was 3 days (range 1–23). Seven patients had an obvious transitional zone (TZ) during laparotomy, and the position of the TZ was 25–100 cm proximal above the ileocecal (IC) valve. Immature ganglion cells were present in the colon in 7 patients and the terminal ileum in 6 patients. The median age of successful stoma occlusion was 5 M (range 2–17) and 8 M (range 4–22) at ostomy closure. There was little or no barium residue in the 24-h delayed film of BE before stoma closure, and all patients were free of constipation symptoms during the follow-up. Conclusion Santulli enterostomy appears to be a suitable and efficient procedure for IG, combined with temporary stoma occlusion and 24-h delayed film of BE to evaluate the recovery of intestinal peristalsis function.

PurposeThe aim of this investigation was to evaluate the clinical value of barium enema (BE) examination for the management of colorectal epithelial neoplasms.MethodsWe reviewed the colonoscopy records at our institution from 2014 to 2019 and identified cases of endoscopically or surgically resected colorectal epithelial neoplasms evaluated by BE, conventional colonoscopy, magnifying narrow-band imaging colonoscopy (M-NBI), and magnifying chromoendoscopy (MCE). The yield of each modality for the diagnosis of massively submucosal invasive (mSM) colorectal cancer was evaluated by a receiver-operating characteristic analysis including the area under the curve (AUC).ResultsWe analyzed the records of 105 patients (17 adenomas, 53 high-grade dysplasias (HGDs), and 35 cancers). Smooth surface, irregularity in depression, and eccentric deformity on the profile view with BE were observed more frequently in mSM cancers than adenomas/HGDs/slightly submucosal invasive cancers (p < 0.01). The AUC of BE was 0.8355, the value of which was not different from the other three modalities (conventional colonoscopy 0.7678; M-NBI 0.7835; MCE 0.8376). Although the specificity, PPV, and accuracy of BE were lower than those of M-NBI and MCE, the sensitivity and NPV of BE were the highest among the four types of examinations.ConclusionBE is still available and may serve as a supplementary modality for the diagnosis of mSM cancers.

Hirschsprung disease is a rare developmental disorder of the enteric nervous system. This study purposed to give an epidemiological database and current trend analysis from radiological perspective of Hirschsprung disease. A prospective descriptive study was conducted for a year in 2017 at Sanglah Public General Hospital, Bali. Colon in loop examination using either water-soluble or barium was conducted. The parameters evaluated in this study were all baseline characteristics, contrast media used, and HD types. Hirschsprung accounted for 2.16% from all 1018 newborn. Male was 3.4 times more prone to Hirschsprung disease. Age distribution was predominant during 0 – 4 weeks after birth (36.4%). Ultrashort, short, and long segments were 45.5%, 45.5%, and 9% respectively. Contrast media was used and mainly barium rather than water soluble in a proportion of 8:3 due to standard operating procedure adapted by some pediatric surgeon. Ultrashort and short segment HD had the same contribution. Barium was dominated, although water soluble was chosen in most literatures for infant due to its ability as diagnostic as well as therapeutic effect. Hence, further research was expected to support and change the perspective in making the diagnosis.

During admission, tenderness with peritoneal irritation signs over the right iliac fossa, BP: 140/75 mm Hg, HR: 96 bpm, temperature: 38.3°C, and laboratory findings showed leukocytosis with toxic left shift (band neutrophils: 12%). Barium appendicitis is a rare complication of barium meal or enema studies.1 Since the first case published by Gubler and Kukral,2 several cases have been reported.3-6 Barium sulfate is neither soluble in intestinal juice nor absorbed by the mucosa and is, therefore, considered nonirritating for intestinal mucosa.3 The appendix is filled with barium sulfate in up to 90 per cent of barium imaging studies, and the bariumfilled appendix is considered to be \"normal.\" The prolonged retention of barium sulfate in the appendiceal lumen is not considered an indication to surgery unless there are clinical features of acute appendicitis.4-6 To conclude, radiologists, surgeons, and other related specialists should be aware of this rare clinical condition.