Pediatric Short Bowel Syndrome

  • Etiology:
    — Vascular compromise of small bowel leads to small bowel ischemia and infarction
    — Commonly seen in malrotation with midgut volvulus and small bowel volvulus
  • Imaging: Short length of small bowel
  • DDX:
  • Complications: Inability to absorb nutrition from shortened small bowel
  • Treatment: Small bowel lengthening procedures, chronic provision of nutrition by total parenteral nutrition
  • Clinical:

Radiology Cases of Short Bowel Syndrome

Radiology Cases of Short Bowel Syndrome Due to Gastroschisis

Enema of short bowel syndrome
AP image from an enema shows contrast initially filling the rectum (inferiorly) which is then seen to flow into the transverse colon (to the left) which then flows into the duodeum (in the middle) before it flows into the stomach (to the right).

Radiology Cases of Short Bowel Syndrome Due to Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Enema of pediatric short bowel syndrome
AP image from an enema shows a microcolon without stricture. Contrast is then refluxed throughout the small bowel which is short in length, then into the stomach, and then into the distal esohagus.