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POCUS for Infectious Enteritis-A Retrospective Case Series Analysis.

Authors :
Scheier E
Nachmany A
Source :
Pediatric emergency care [Pediatr Emerg Care] 2024 Aug 01; Vol. 40 (8), pp. 607-610. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Feb 28.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Introduction: The abdominal pain associated with diarrhea can be difficult to distinguish from appendicitis. We present a case series of all children found on pediatric emergency department point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to have right-sided bowel wall edema.<br />Methods: Over the study period June 2020 through September 2023, POCUS images were collected by a pediatric emergency physician with 6 years of experience with POCUS. Children found to have small bowel wall edema on POCUS were identified, and hospital charts were reviewed.<br />Results: One hundred thirteen children were found on POCUS to have right-sided small bowel wall edema. Thirty-one (27%) were referred by their pediatrician or urgent care provider to evaluate for appendicitis. Seventy-eight children (69%) provided stool samples. Of those, 58% resulted Campylobacter , 8% Salmonella , and 8% Shigella . Forty (35%) were discharged after POCUS without further evaluation. One child in our case series was subsequently diagnosed with uncomplicated appendicitis. To date, no child in the series has subsequently been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease.<br />Conclusions: Enteritis can initially be difficult to distinguish on clinical grounds from acute appendicitis. Bowel wall edema on POCUS in a child without sonographic signs of appendicitis strongly suggests bacterial enteritis. Early POCUS demonstrating enteritis without signs of appendicitis may decrease hospital resource usage.<br />Competing Interests: Disclosure: The authors declare no conflict of interest.<br /> (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1535-1815
Volume :
40
Issue :
8
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Pediatric emergency care
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
38412524
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1097/PEC.0000000000003139