The clinical value ofultrasonographyinthe preoperativediagnosis of esophageal hiatal hernia in infants

Objective: To investigate the ultrasound diagnostic features of esophageal hiatal hernia in infants,and its correlation with the clinical surgery.Methods: The ultrasound image features of esophageal hiatal hernia diagnosed by ultrasound,gastrointestinal imaging and operation in 15 infants were retrospectively analyzed.The enlarging inner diameter of the esophageal hiatus and 45 normal esophageal hiatus were statistically analyzed.The inside tissue of hernia above diaphragm was detected,and the effect of which on thoracic organ was investigated.Results: Fifteen infants with esophageal hiatal hernia were diagnosed by ultrasound,gastrointestinal imaging combined with operation,the diagnostic coincidence rate was 100%.The inner diameter of the esophageal hiatal hernia in esophageal hiatal group increased at various degree,the difference of which between two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05).The ultrasound detection showed that the inside tissue of hernia included 15 cases of stomach,14 cases of cardia,14 cases of lower esophagus,3 cases of the part liver and 1 case of bowel,and these tissue could enter alone or together.The atelectasis in 2 cases and cardiac displacement in 1 case were identified.Conclusions: The ultrasound characteristics of esophageal hiatal hernia is obvious in infant.Measuring the inside diameter of esophageal hiatus and probing the tissue above the diaphragm and cardiopulmonary oppression can contribute to judge the esophageal hiatal hernia type,and operate as possible as early in clinic.Ultrasound may become the preferred method of noninvasive screening the esophageal hiatal hernia in infants.