Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40696289›Full record

SynthesisBMC pediatrics2025

Sonographic features of axial torsion of Meckel's diverticulum in 12 pediatric patients: a retrospective analysis and literature review.

Yanxiu Hu, Liqun Jia, Yu Wang, Yue Xin, Xiaoman Wang

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC pediatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Yanxiu HuDepartment of Ultrasound, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, No.56 Nan Li Shi Road, Xi Cheng District, Beijing, China.
Liqun JiaDepartment of Ultrasound, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, No.56 Nan Li Shi Road, Xi Cheng District, Beijing, China.
Yu WangDepartment of Ultrasound, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, No.56 Nan Li Shi Road, Xi Cheng District, Beijing, China.
Yue XinDepartment of Ultrasound, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, No.56 Nan Li Shi Road, Xi Cheng District, Beijing, China.
Xiaoman WangDepartment of Ultrasound, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, No.56 Nan Li Shi Road, Xi Cheng District, Beijing, China. pcchty@yeah.net.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAs described in isolated case reports, axial torsion is an extremely rare complication of Meckel's diverticulum (MD). Diagnosis based on preoperative imaging alone is challenging for clinicians.

objectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and sonographic characteristics of axial torsion of MD in Chinese pediatric patients treated at a single center and to review the published literature on this condition. MATERIALS AND

methodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of pediatric patients (< 18 years) who underwent surgical treatment for MD torsion between November 2008 and January 2023 at our institution, focusing on clinical presentation and ultrasound findings. In addition, a systematic review of English-language articles in PubMed (1989-2023) was performed to summarize reported cases of MD torsion in pediatric populations.

resultsTwelve patients (10 males, 2 females; male-to-female ratio 5:1; median age 4 years, range 2-15) were included. The predominant symptoms were abdominal pain (91.7%) and vomiting (75.0%). Preoperative ultrasound revealed key findings: a cystic mass with digestive wall structure (83.3%), the 'whirlpool' sign (58.3%), and small bowel obstruction (75.0%). There were nine cases of MD gangrene, but no cases of intestinal necrosis. The diagnostic accuracy of preoperative ultrasound was 75.0% for MD and 41.7% for axial torsion of MD. A review of 18 pediatric cases from the English literature showed that our ultrasound detection rates exceeded those of previous reports-83.3% vs. 27.3% for cystic masses and 58.3% vs. 18.2% for the 'whirlpool' sign.

conclusionThe characteristic sonographic features of MD torsion include a cystic mass with digestive tract wall structure, the 'whirlpool' sign, and bowel obstruction. Early recognition of these features may expedite preoperative diagnosis, enable timely surgical intervention and improve clinical outcomes. While experienced sonographers utilizing multi-frequency probes can enhance detection accuracy, preoperative ultrasound diagnosis of this condition remains challenging.

Indexed as

Meckel DiverticulumTorsion AbnormalityAdolescentChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansIntestinal ObstructionMaleRetrospective StudiesUltrasonographyAcute abdomenAxial torsionMeckel’s diverticulumPediatric surgery

Identifiers

PMID40696289
PMCPMC12285082

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.