Purpose or Case Report: Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a potentially fatal disease that is commonly encountered in pediatric hospitals. Early diagnosis is of utmost importance, and thus, radiologists must be aware of the varied imaging findings seen in association with NEC and its complications.
Methods & Materials: A retrospecitve review of patients who were known to have necrotizing enterocolitis over the last ten years at an urban children's hospital was performed. Medical records and radiologic studies were correlated with clinical history and where available; surgical findings. A selection of cases with important radiographic findings was identified and used for an imaging review.
Results: An in depth review of the pertinent imaging findings in necrotizing enterocolitis will be provided. Special attention will be paid toward the plain radiographic findings in NEC as this remains the gold standard in the diagnosis and management of this patient population. Examples of pneumatosis intestinalis, portal venous gas, pneumoperitoneum, and post-NEC stricture will be demonstrated. Additionally, ultrasound will be shown to be an adjunct examination in the evaluation of necrotizing enterocolitis.
Conclusions: Necrotizing enterocolitis is a disease of unknown etiology affecting primarily low birth weight and preterm infants which may manifest many different imaging features. It is of critical importance that the radiologist be able to identify not only the initial presentation of necrotizing enterocolitis, but also the complications.