Application of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of lollipop sticks in the gastrointestinal tracts of 20 children

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of non-metallic foreign bodies in the pediatric gastrointestinal tract.Methods Data of 20 children who were admitted to our hospital after ingesting a lollipop stick from January 2016 to October 2018 were analyzed. Abdominal ultrasonography and plain radiography were performed to confirm the position of the foreign body and assess secondary injuries. The two imaging methods were compared regarding the foreign body display rate and the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the identification of secondary injury. The factors potentially contributing to secondary injury were assessed.Results The foreign body display rate was 100% for ultrasonography and 27.3% for abdominal plain radiography. Plain radiography did not show any signs of secondary injury. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of ultrasonography for identifying secondary injury caused by a lollipop stick foreign body were 100%, 93.8%, and 95%, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between the foreign body retention time and the occurrence of secondary injury (r=0.563, P=0.01).Conclusion Ultrasonography showed a high display rate for non-metallic gastrointestinal foreign bodies in children, and had good sensitivity and satisfactory specificity and accuracy in detecting secondary injury.