Les urgences abdominales non traumatiques de l’enfant

[Volvulus of the small intestine caused by mesenteric lipoma]

We report the case of a 7-year old girl presenting with sub-occlusive syndrome associated with acute paroxysmal abdominal pain at the level of the upper abdomen, vomiting and no evacuation of faeces. Physical examination showed discomfort with palpation of the upper abdomen. Abdominal ultrasound showed poorly limited intraperitoneal tissue formation without vascular features on doppler, exercising a mass effect on the neighborhood structures; mesenteric vessels were in their normal position. This mass on CT scan scorresponded to a well limited lipomatous formation exercising a mass effect on the caecum associated with volvulus of the small intestine. The diagnosis of volvulus of the small intestine caused by mesenteric lipoma was retained. Surgical exploration confirmed this diagnosis. The patient underwent unrolling of the small intestine and lipoma enucleation. The postoperative course was uneventful after a follow-up of 6 months. Anatomo-pathological examination confirmed the lipomateuse nature of the mass.

[Mesenteric volvulus associated with mesenteric lipoma: about a case]

Nous rapportons le cas d'une patiente de 7 ans qui a consulté pour une douleur abdominale aigue paroxystique siégeant au niveau de l'épigastre associée à des vomissements sans arrêt des matières et des gaz. L'examen clinique ainsi que le bilan biologique étaient sans particularité. L'échographie abdominale demandée en première intention a montré une masse du flanc et de la fosse iliaque droite échogène, homogène à contours réguliers sans signal vasculaire au Doppler associée à un signe du tourbillon des vaisseaux mésentériques. A la tomodensitométrie cette masse correspondait à une formation lipomateuse, bien limitée, exerçant un effet de masse sur le cœcum avec volvulus du mésentère au contact. La disposition des vaisseaux mésentériques à leur origine était normale. Le diagnostic de volvulus du mésentère sur lipome a été retenu. La prise en charge chirurgicale et l'analyse anatomopathologique de la pièce opératoire a confirmé le diagnostic. Nous allons à travers ce cas clinique revoir l'apport de l'échographie et du scanner dans le diagnostic de volvulus du mésentère.

[Acute abdomen film: is there hope of changing referring patterns?]

An abdomen radiograph (KUB) is frequently requested by ER physicians as part of the inital work-up of patients. However, other imaging studies are now routinely available in the acute setting that may make the KUB an obsolete and unnecessary examination. The first part of this study was to assess the current referral patterns for urgent KUB in our center; the improper referral pattern for KUB in terms of requests for unnecessary exams 48,5% as well as number of technical errors in terms of inadequate radiographic projection for the suspected pathology 47% were recorded. In a second part, the impact of corrective actions at one month, 2 months and 6 months was assessed and we observed a decrease of about 20% of the number of KUB scheduled by the ER physician. Our results confirm that it is possible to teach ER physicians to more appropriately order imaging studies, which should improve patient care and generate savings. Long term correction of referral patterns is possible if all actors remain involved in this process.

[Impact of computed tomography on patient's care in nontraumatic acute abdomen: 90 patients]

OBJECTIVES

To determine the contribution of computerized tomography (CT) to the management of nontraumatic acute abdomen, to evaluate interobserver agreement and the contribution of CT to cost control, to look for the predictive factors of CT.

PATIENTS

and method. Ninety prospectively included patients, admitted for nontraumatic acute abdomen and examined by a surgeon, received CT examination. Diagnosis and treatment 1) envisioned before and 2) defined after CT, and 3) finally retained were compared, and the interobserver agreement was calculated after the second reading. The predictive value of the clinical and biological criteria as well as the radiological criteria characterizing these patients was sought.

RESULTS

CT was contributive in 68.9% of cases, with a reliable diagnosis and treatment strategy, defined after CT examination, for 92.2% and 90%, respectively. Interobserver agreement was 93.3%. CT contributed to reducing costs in 15.5% of patients, for an additional cost estimated at 104-139 euros. The positive predictive factors of the CT contribution were age over 70 years, localized symptoms, fever, and high CRP.

CONCLUSION

In agreement with the literature, in our study CT appears to be a choice examination to guide patient care in nontraumatic acute abdomen.