Radiografía y ecografía de abdomen como métodos diagnósticos en enterocolitis necrosante

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most frequently
acquired gastrointestinal emergency in the neonatal
period, mainly in preterm newborns. During the last
quarter of a century, this pathology has emerged as
an important factor in neonatal mortality. Severe cases
can lead to intestinal perforation, systemic inflammatory
response syndrome, multi-organ dysfunction, and death.
With a global mortality rate that varies between 20 and
40%; reaching 60% in newborns with low birth weight
once intestinal perforation has occurred. Traditionally, the
gold standard for imaging evaluation and staging of the
neonatal bowel has been abdominal radiography. Even so,
this diagnostic method has proven to be non-specific for
evaluating early characteristics related to dilated intestinal
loops, ischemia, and necrosis. Early diagnosis is essential,
which allows timely treatment, reducing the need for
surgical procedures and secondary complications. The
use of abdominal ultrasound with Doppler analysis as
a diagnostic method for NEC has been proposed and
described in the literature. This allows the evaluation of a
greater spectrum of anomalies, does not produce ionizing
radiation and has the ability to recognize intestinal necrosis
prior to perforation or clinical deterioration. Therefore,
in this document a review of the topic of ultrasound and
abdominal radiography as diagnostic methods in NEC is
carried out.