Ultrasonic features of pediatric eosinophilic gastroenteritis of children

Abstract

Objective To summarize the manifestation of pediatric eosinophilic gastroenteritis by ultrasound and discuss the diagnostic value of ultrasonography in pediatric eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Methods The ultrasonic appearances of 31 cases of pediatric eosinophilic gastroenteritis confirmed by clinics and pathology were reviewed and analyzed. Results Nineteen of 31 cases were observed in association with eosinophilic infiltration of other organs which were diagnosed as idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome. Eosinophilic cystitis was the most common among the complications(89.4%, 17/19). Twelve of 31 cases were diagnosed as eosinophilic gastroenteritis without complications. The endoscopic appearances of eosinophilic gastroenteritis were nonspecific which include erythematous, hyperemia edema, and partiality erosion changes. Endoscopy demonstrates increased numbers of eosinophils in the propria of stomach and the duodenum. Ultrasound features of the gastroenteritis appeared diffuse or the parts of gastrointestinal tract. The most common sites of eosinophilic gastroenteritis were the stomach and duodenum.Involvement of muscle layer and serosal layer showed wall thickening of cyclic annular and uniformity. Ultrasound might show nodular or irregular thickening of the folds in the gastric antrum when the submucosa were thickening. The mucosal layer involvement was not easy to be found by ultrasound. The echo of serous layer and submucosa associated with the disease stage. The thickening of surrounding omentum and mesenteric tissue, echo enhancement and nonspecific hyperplastic mesenteric lymph nodes infiltrated with eosinophils might be present.Eosinophilic ascites could often be detected. Conclusions Ultrasound has obvious advantages in the diagnosis of pediatric eosinophilic gastroenteritis, and the ultrasonic changes of pediatric eosinophilic gastroenteritis are characterized. Ultrasonography can provide the possible diagnosis when combined with inflammatory of other organs, especially cystitis inflammatory changes. Key words: Ultrasonography; Pediatric; Eosinophilic gastroenteritis