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Persistent value of air‐augmented radiograph in neonatal high gastrointestinal obstruction, despite more modern techniques
Author(s) -
Harrison RL,
Set P,
Brain AJL
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1999.tb01033.x
Subject(s) - medicine , bowel obstruction , radiography , decompression , upper gastrointestinal series , radiology , surgery , gastroenterology , stomach
Air is a safe and effective natural contrast agent in neonatal high gastrointestinal (GIT) obstruction. Successful early decompression often results in plain abdominal radiographs of low diagnostic yield. We present a series of neonates with high GIT obstruction in whom air‐augmented abdominal radiographs (AAAR) were performed instead. Fourteen neonates presented with suspected high GIT obstruction. In 12 sick babies, obstruction was confirmed and the level of obstruction was determined. The other two neonates required additional positive contrast upper GIT studies. These confirmed small bowel malrotation. For neonatal high GIT obstruction an AAAR can provide a rapid and accurate diagnosis. Positive contrast agent studies should be performed when the AAAR is non‐diagnostic.