Appendicitis in children. Accuracy of the barium enema.
Publication/Presentation Date
12-1-1987
Abstract
The barium enema (BE) may be useful in the diagnosis of atypical appendicitis in children. We analyzed our experience with 18 children in whom appendicitis was suspected and BE was performed. All of the children underwent surgical exploration. Nonfilling of the appendix with cecal indentation, extravasation of barium from the appendix, or both, were considered positive signs of an inflamed appendix on BE. Using these criteria, 12 of 14 cases of proved appendicitis were true positive and two were equivocal. Four children were proved not to have appendicitis; one of these patients had a true-negative BE, two had equivocal BEs, and there was one false-positive BE (Schönlein-Henoch purpura). Extravasation of barium into the peritoneal cavity was noted in one patient; this was a rare complication.
Volume
141
Issue
12
First Page
1309
Last Page
1312
ISSN
0002-922X
Published In/Presented At
Garcia, C., Rosenfield, N. S., Markowitz, R. I., Seashore, J. H., Touloukian, R. J., & Cicchetti, D. V. (1987). Appendicitis in children. Accuracy of the barium enema. American journal of diseases of children (1960), 141(12), 1309–1312.
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics
PubMedID
3687874
Department(s)
Department of Pediatrics
Document Type
Article