[Ultrasonographic diagnosis of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis].

Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) is one of the most common causes of abdominal surgery during the first weeks of life. The primary cause of the muscular hypertrophy is unknown and the pathogenesis is obscure. Clinically, vomiting is always present and sometimes there is a palpable pyloric mass (olive). Upper gastrointestinal tract study with barium has been the most usual method for the diagnosis. Since the first report of the use of ultrasound (US) in the diagnosis of HPS in 1977, this technique has been widely used and accepted, being by now, the diagnostic imaging examination of choice for infants in whom this abnormality is suspected. This is our experience with the use of US in 27 infants with clinically suspected HPS. In 17 cases there was US evidence of HPS and in 10 patients results were negative. We did not have false positive neither false negative results. We strongly recommend this diagnostic method for all infants under clinical suspicion of HPS.