Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: sonographic monitoring of conservative therapy with intravenous atropine sulfate

Abstract

Ultrasound is the method of choice for the diagnosis of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of sonography in monitoring the efficacy of conservative therapy of HPS with intravenous atropine sulfate. 21 infants with HPS under i.v. treatment with atropine sulfate were included. Pyloric sonomorphology, channel width and passage of gastric contents through the pyloric channel were monitored daily. The latter was examined with colour Doppler, too. If no clinical improvement was observed after 6-8 days, sonography and colour Doppler sonography played a crucial role in the decision whether to continue the conservative therapy or to perform pyloromyotomy. Conservative treatment was effective in 13/21 infants. In 8 patients therapy was continued as sonography demonstrated the passage of gastric contents despite lack of clinical improvement. In 4 patients, due to the sonographic findings, impending surgery could be cancelled. Colour Doppler sonography proved to be extremely useful in demonstrating passage of liquid through the narrowed pyloric channel. No significant change in pyloric morphology was seen. In HPS a conservative therapeutic approach with atropine sulfate is justified considering a success rate of 62% (13/21). During sonographic monitoring the detection of the passing of gastric content may be crucial for continuation and success of conservative therapy. In those cases colour Doppler sonography is a very useful method.