Abstract
Purpose
Pelvic ultrasound (US) has been used in various different ways to assess severity of constipation. We evaluated the use of a new US scoring system to determine if there is any correlation between symptom severity and US findings.
Methods
Data were collected prospectively on all children attending the constipation clinic from January 2007 to July 2008. All patients completed a standardised symptom severity score sheet (SSS) for constipation. US was done with the probe placed 2 cm above the pubic symphysis. A new US scoring system designed to assess the faecal loading and its effect on the bladder was used. Patients with severe symptoms were followed up with few patients requiring as many as four follow up visits. During each follow-up visit SSS and US scoring was completed.
Results
A total of 500 patients were studied (male 317, female 183) with a median age of 8 years (8 months, 18 years). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software (version 15.0). Pearson’s correlation was used to assess the correlation between SSS and US score. P value <0.05 was considered to represent a statistically significant correlation between symptoms and ultrasound findings.
Conclusion
US is an easy and quick tool that can be used in the out-patient setting to assess severity of constipation. The new US scoring system is a reliable method that can be used in conjunction with clinical examination for assessing the long-term improvement of children who are undergoing treatment for chronic constipation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Leech SC, McHugh K, Sullivan PB (1999) Evaluation of a amethod of assessing faecal loading on plain abdominal radiographs in children. Pediatr Radiol 29(4):255–258
van den Bosch M, Graafmans D, Nievelstein R, Beek E (2006) Systematic assessment of constipation on plain abdominal radiographs in children. Pediatr Radiol 36(3):224–226 Epub 18 January 2006
Papadopoulou A, Clayden GS, Booth IW (1994) The clinical value of solid marker transit studies in childhood constipation and soiling. Eur J Pediatr 153(8):560–564
Singh SJ, Gibbons NJ, Vincent MV, Sithole J, Nwokoma NJ, Alagarswami KV (2005) Use of pelvic ultrasound in the diagnosis of megarectum in children with constipation. J Pediatr Surg 40:1941–1944
Joensson IM, Siggaard C, Rittig S, Hagstroem S (2008) Transabdominal ultrasound of rectum as a diagnostic tool in childhood constipation. J Urol 179:1997–2002
Klijn AJ, Asselman M, Vijverberg MA, Dik P, Jong T (2004) The diameter of the rectum on ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool for constipation in children with dysfunctional voiding. J Urol 172:1986–1988
Loening-Baucke VA (1984) Abnormal anorectal function in children recovered from constipation and encopresis. Gastroenterol 87:1299–1304
Clayden GS (1988) Is constipation in childhood a neurodevelopmental abnormality? In: Milla PJ (ed) Disorders of gastrointestinal motility in childhood. Wiley, Chichester
Clayden GS (1992) Management of chronic constipation. Arch Dis Child 67:340–344
Clayden GS, Keshtgar AS, Carcani-Rathwell I, Abhyankar A (2005) The management of chronic constipation and related faecal incontinence in childhood. Arch Dis Child Ed Pract 90:58–67
Safder S, Rewalt M, Elitsur Y (2006) Digital rectal examination and the primary care physicians: a lost art? Clin Pediatr 45:411
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lakshminarayanan, B., Kufeji, D. & Clayden, G. A new ultrasound scoring system for assessing the severity of constipation in children. Pediatr Surg Int 24, 1379–1384 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-008-2268-8
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-008-2268-8