Ultrasound in the Assessment of the Acute Abdomen in Children: Its Advantages and Its Limitations

Some of the advantages of ultrasound when imaging children, such as the lack of ionizing radiation and the relatively short length of the exam obviating sedation, are obvious. This article outlines the diagnostic considerations within the different pediatric age groups, and considers the ways in which ultrasound can facilitate diagnosis, the cases in which ultrasound is limited in its ability to make a diagnosis, and the ways in which ultrasound can monitor the efficacy of treatment. As it would be beyond the scope of this article to consider each entity in detail, there is a focus on several diseases relatively unique to children. Attention is also paid to appendicitis, an entity seen in both children and adults, which continues to pose diagnostic challenges.