J Korean Radiol Soc.  1995 Nov;33(5):797-802.

Radiologic Evaluation of Intestinal Obstruction in the Neonates

• Lee SY
• Kim JH
• Kim DW
• Lee ES
• Kwon SY
• Kang HJ

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the radiologic findings of the intestinal obstruction in the neonate according to the causes and to determine the findings useful for the differential diagnosis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The materials consisted of 29 neonates with surgically proven gastrointestinal tract obstruction. We analized simple abdominal radiography and barium study comparing with the operative findings.
RESULTS
The causes of intestinal obstruction were gastric atresia in 1 case, duodenal atresia in 3 cases, small bowel atresia in 11 cases(jejunal ;3 cases, ileal ;8 cases), colonic atresia in 2 cases, Hirschsprung's disease in 9 cases, ano-rectal anomaly in 6 cases, midgut volvulus in 2 cases, and Meckel's diverticulum in 1 case. Vomiting was noted in the all cases. The abdominal distension was not noted in the cases of gastric atresia, duodenal atresia, and proximal jejunal atresia. The meconium passage was noted in 2 cases of ileal atresia and 3 cases of Hirschsprung's disease. On barium study, site of obstruction was predicted accurately in gastric atresia, duodenal atresia, proximal jejunal atresia, and colonic atresia but it was not possible in distal jejunal atresia and ileal atresia. The microcolon was noted in 2 cases of jejunal atresia, 4 cases of ileal atresia, and 2 cases of colonic atresia. Out of 9 Hirschsprung's disease transition zones were seen on rectum or rectosigmoid junction in 7 cases and barium study was normal in 2 cases.
CONCLUSION
In the diagnosis of neonatal intestinal obstruction, the basic radiologic studies such as simple abdominal radiography and gastrointestinal contrast study was useful for the differential diagnosis of the proxireal bowel loop atresia colonic ateria, and midgut volvulus.

MeSH Terms

Barium
Colon
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Gastrointestinal Tract
Hirschsprung Disease
Humans
Infant, Newborn*
Intestinal Atresia
Intestinal Obstruction*
Intestinal Volvulus
Meckel Diverticulum
Meconium
Radiography, Abdominal
Rectum
Vomiting
Barium