Resistance index in mural arteries of thickened bowel wall: predictive value for Crohn disease activity assessment in pediatric patients.

Objective: To define reliable Doppler parameters in mural arteries of affected bowel loops for quantitative assessment of Crohn disease (CD) activity in pediatric population and compare Doppler parameters with Pediatric Crohn Disease Activity Index (PCDAI).

Patients And Methods: Thirty-four pediatric patients (7 with inactive, 27 with active disease of different severity; 13 male and 21 female; mean age 13; range 7-18) with CD were prospectively evaluated by Doppler ultrasound (DUS) of affected bowel segments. Using semiquantitative color and power Doppler assessment of vascularization of thickened bowel wall and mesentery, patients were divided in four grades.

Clinical and anorectal motility features in chronically constipated children.

Constipation is a common problem in children. It can be a symptom of functional disorder in majority of cases, but sometimes a serious organic disease is a cause of constipation. Anorectal manometry plays an important role in the diagnostic procedure.