Evaluation of abdominal pain in Henoch-Schönlein syndrome by high frequency ultrasound.

The authors report the use of high frequency ultrasound (7.5-10 MHz probes) for the detection of intestinal complications in 14 children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Ultrasound gave information of 3 levels: (1) It explained the acute abdominal pain by showing in all cases the oedematous haemorrhagic infiltration of the intestinal wall, which appeared thickened (3-11 mm): lesions were diffuse (6 cases) or focal (duodenal in 5 cases, jejunal in 2 cases and ileal in one). (2) It followed the evolution of the disease: extension of lesions (5 cases) or resolution (progressive decrease of parietal thickening, reexpansion of small bowel lumen, reappearance of peristalsis). (3) It always detected surgical complication: ileo-ileal intussusception (3 cases), perforation (1 case).