Antenatal Ultrasonographic Features Associated with Segmental Small Bowel Dilatation: An Unusual Neonatal Condition Mimicking Congenital Small Bowel Obstruction

Abstract

Segmental dilatation of the intestine (SDI) is an unusual condition presenting during the neonatal period, with symptoms of obstruction. Late diagnosed cases are also reported. The clinical polymorphism, and the lack of specificity of radiological investigations, make diagnosis difficult. Prenatal detection of abdominal cystic lesions or bowel dilatation has occasionally been reported to be associated with SDI. We herein report two cases of SDI, with a prenatal ultrasonographic suspicion of intestinal abnormality. In both infants, a dilatation of the ileum was found at surgery, without any evident site of obstruction or abnormal histology. SDI must be taken into consideration when a prenatal alert of possible bowel obstruction is not followed by postnatal clinical signs.