Value of Transabdominal Sonographic Rectal Diameter in Children with Functional Constipation

Abstract

Abstract Background Constipation is a common problem worldwide. Since rectal digital examination and abdominal radiography have both limitations, ultrasound is considered an alternative technique, thus the aim of the current study is measurement of rectal diameter among a group of children with functional constipation (FC) in comparison with a healthy control group to determine the diagnostic efficacy of dilated rectal diameter for diagnosis of constipation. Patients and Methods A case control study that was conducted on children aged between 2 and 10 years; 50 were cases with functional constipation who were recruited from gastroenterology department and an equal number of age and sex matched apparently normal and healthy children were included as a control. FC was diagnosed according to the ROME IV criteria. Pelviabdominal ultrasound was done to all cases and controls to assess the rectal transverse diameter after taking detailed history regarding personal history, symptoms and history of present illness, past history and family history. Results Rectal diameter was measured in cases initially on presentation where 80% of the cases had enlarged rectal diameter, and 20% of cases had normal rectal diameter, ranging from 1.6 cm to 4.7 cm with a median of 3.55, while only 8% of controls has enlarged rectal transverse diameter and others were normal (P value <0.001). Conclusion based on our results, it can be concluded that rectal diameter is. significantly enlarged in most cases with constipation.