SynthesisPediatric radiology2024
Accuracy of transabdominal ultrasound to diagnose functional constipation and fecal impaction in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Pediatric radiology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.
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Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed.
- Efficacy of low volume transanal irrigation in children with retentive fecal incontinence: A randomized controlled trial.Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition · 2026Trial
- Age-Specific Ultrasound Reference Data for the Laterolateral Rectal Diameter in Healthy Children.Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Point-of-care ultrasound assessment of transrectal diameter to evaluate fecal load in children with anorectal malformations: adjunct imaging and utility in bowel management program.Pediatric surgery international · 2026Observational
- Constipation in the Pediatric Emergency Department: Clinical Presentations, Diagnostic Context and Testing Patterns.Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Article
- Usefulness of ultrasound in diagnosing constipation in children: a narrative review.Frontiers in pediatrics · 2026Review
- Expert Position Statement: Defining the Role of Intestinal Ultrasound in Assessing Constipation and Faecal Loading.Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics · 2025Article
- Article
- The Effectiveness of Transabdominal Ultrasonography in Managing Chronic Constipation in the Elderly, with a Focus on the Underlying Pathological Conditions.Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- Relieving effect of an Maren-Zhizhu emulsion on loperamide hydrochloride-induced constipation in mice and its effects on the gut microbiota.Frontiers in microbiology · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundFunctional constipation is common in children and accurate diagnostic methods are essential for early diagnosis and effective management. The diagnostic accuracy of transabdominal ultrasound to diagnose functional constipation is unclear.
objectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transverse rectal diameter measurement via transabdominal ultrasound in diagnosing children with functional constipation and in identifying fecal impaction. MATERIALS AND
methodsElectronic databases were searched from inception to March 2023. Original studies investigating the diagnostic accuracy of measuring transverse rectal diameter via transabdominal ultrasound, including children with and without functional constipation, or with and without fecal impaction were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers.
resultsSixteen studies were included (n = 1,801 children, 0-17 years). Thirteen studies investigated the diagnostic accuracy for functional constipation, and five for fecal impaction. High risk of bias was found across the majority of studies mainly due to un-blinded case-control designs. Cut-off transverse rectal diameter values to diagnose functional constipation ranged from 2.4 cm to 3.8 cm. Meta-analysis (seven studies, n = 509 children) estimated mean sensitivity and specificity to diagnose functional constipation were 0.68 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55-0.78) and 0.81 (95% CI 0.71-0.88), respectively. Meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy of identifying fecal impaction was not feasible. Studies reported a sensitivity and specificity ranging between 68-100% and 83-100%, respectively.
conclusionTransabdominal ultrasound may be a valuable non-invasive diagnostic tool to diagnose functional constipation by measuring transverse rectal diameter and identifying fecal impaction in children. Heterogeneous study methods and lack of age-dependent normal values impair current clinical recommendations. Future research should focus on separating age groups and developing a standardized protocol.
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