Paediatric ultrasonography III: abdominal ultrasonography

Abstract

Ultrasonography is an extra and useful tool for the paediatrician. It is relatively easy to perform and is independent of renal function. Out of 16 children presenting with abdominal masses, 4 cases of hydronephrosis, 2 cases of choledochal cysts, 2 cases of neuroblastoma, one each of renal haemartoma, dysplastic kidney, a distended bladder secondary to rhabdomyosarcoma of the bladder neck, hepatoblastoma, mesenteric cyst with gut duplication, lymphosarcoma, intrabdominal abscess and an appendicular abscess have been diagnosed. Apart from these, ultrasonography can be useful in delineating sizes of abdominal organs like the liver, spleen and kidneys. Echography is helpful in localising the preferred sites for biopsies of the liver and kidney. Furthermore, ultrasound with its ability to distinguish cystic versus solid lesions has proven to be a useful technique in a serial follow-up study of such lesions.