Gastrointestinal disorders requiring surgical intervention: Intussusception, acute appendicitis, midgut volvulus and intestinal obstruction

Abstract

Sonography is the most appropriate modality for imaging the gastrointestinal tract in children. However, this is not well known to ordinary doctors. Sonography not only helps to diagnose intussusception, but also provides information on surgical and pathological findings. When performing an ultrasound examination of acute appendicitis, pathological changes can be directly depicted. Blood flow assessment of intestinal wall is also much more accurate than before. It is now possible to diagnose ischemia caused by midgut volvulus with malrotation before they become fatal. It is still difficult to understand intestinal obstruction in detail before surgery, but it is possible to proceed with surgery after obtaining more information about the degree of ischemia and the cause of intestinal obstruction.