Rapid diagnosis of gastrointestinal perforated viscus in pediatrics: Role of point-of-care ultrasonography

Background

Gastrointestinal perforation is a life-threatening condition that requires timely diagnosis and treatment.

Case presentation

Ee present a case report exploring the efficacy of point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) for the diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum in an 8-year-old boy with acute abdominal pain, bilious vomiting, fever, and abdominal distension. The suspected diagnosis was an acute inflammatory process, so POCUS was performed, showing several useful ultrasound findings, including free intraperitoneal air (enhanced peritoneal stripe sign), pneumatosis intestinalis, intrahepatic portal vein gases, free peritoneal fluids, small bowel obstruction (SBO) signs, and echogenic fat stranding. These sonographic findings were supported by evidence of free air under the diaphragm using an erect abdominal X-ray. An emergency surgical exploration revealed a perforated hollow viscus due to small bowel perforation.

Conclusion

This case highlights that POCUS is a rapid, non-invasive diagnostic tool.