Abstract
Children with melena need colon examination unless there is a focal disease around the anus. In the search for disease, proctoscopy, contrast enema, and colonoscopy are used, although certain risk may be involved. We have applied the CT colonography (CTC) in five children having melena. After adequate bowel preparation by laxatives and glycerin enema, the children were treated with 30 ml/kg of air enema to expand the colon. CTC performed in both the supine and prone position was completed without any adverse events in all patients. One patient revealed to have a polyp by CTC was subsequently subjected to colonoscopic polypectomy. The remaining four had no suspicious findings detected by CTC. Their symptoms responded well to conservative therapy, and the melena disappeared after treatment. CTC may be useful for treating pediatric patients with melena.
