Abstract
Meconium peritonitis occasionally occurs as a localized, encysted collection of meconium ranging from a few centimeters in size to huge cysts occupying most of the abdominal cavity. The cyst wall consists of fibrous granulation tissue and the cyst may contain only meconium or may also encase loops of bowel. Gas within the cyst indicates persistent communication between the perforated bowel and the cyst cavity; if the perforation seals over in utero the cyst remains gasless. Calcification is a variable finding. Sonography in two neonates with cystic meconium peritonitis showed well-defined, echogenic masses, one of which contained calcifications and was detected in utero.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baker DH, Berdon WE (1978) The gastrointestinal tract. In: Caffey J (ed) Pediatric x-ray diagnosis, 7th edn. Year Book Medical Publishers, Chicago, p 1696
Boikan WE (1930) Meconium peritonitis from spontaneous perforation of ileum in utero. Arch Pathol 9: 1164
Boix-Ochoa J (1968) Meconium peritonitis. J Pediatr Surg 3: 715
Brugman SM, Bjelland JJ, Thomasson JE, Anderson SF, Giles HR (1979) Sonographic findings with radiologic correlation in meconium peritonitis. J Clin Ultrasound 7: 305
Carroll BA, Moskowitz PS (1981) Sonographic diagnosis of neonatal meconium cyst. AJR 137: 1262
Dodat H, Chappuis JP, Daudet M, Bertrix L, Eulry ML, Dalery F (1979) Les péritonites méconiales: Commentaires à propos de 6 observations: Valeur diagnostique et prognostique des calcifications: Conséquences thérapeutiques. Chir Pediatr 20: 21
Effmann EL, Griscom NT, Colodny AH, Vawter GF (1980) Neonatal gastrointestinal masses arising late in gestation. AJR 135: 681
Fujioka M, Bowen A (1980) Cystic meconium peritonitis. Radiology 140: 380
Gaisie G, Odagiri K, Oh KS, Young LW (1980) The bulbous bowel segment: A sign of congenital small bowel obstruction. Radiology 135: 331
Garb M, Riseborough J (1980) Meconium peritonitis presenting as fetal ascites on ultrasound. Br J Radiol 53: 602
Harris JH, DeMuth WE, Harris JH Jr (1956) Meconium peritonitis: report of a case in which diagnostic roentgen signs were found antepartum. AJR 76: 555
Hill LM, Breckle R, Avant RF (1982) Sonographic findings associated with a sterile fetal appendiceal abscess. J Ultrasound Med 1: 257
Kangarloo H, Sample WF (1980) Ultrasound of the pediatric abdomen and pelvis: A correlative imaging approach. Year Book Medical Publishers, Chicago, p 9
Kolawole TM, Bankole MA, Olurin EO, Familusi JB (1973) Meconium peritonitis presenting as giant cysts in neonates. Br J Radiol 46: 964
Lorimer WS Jr, Ellis DG (1966) Meconium peritonitis. Surgery 60: 470
Maguire CH, Moore WR (1950) Meconium peritonitis. Surgery 28: 568
Martin L (1979) Meconium peritonitis, in Ravitch MM, Welch KJ, Benson CD, Aberdeen E, Randolph JG (eds) Pediatric surgery, 3rd eds. Year Book Medical Publishers, Chicago, p 952
Mayock DE, Hickok DE, Guthrie RD (1982) Cystic meconium peritonitis associated with hydrops fetalis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 142: 704
Moore TC (1963) Giant cystic meconium peritonitis. Ann Surg 157: 566
Neuhauser EBD (1944) The roentgen diagnosis of fetal meconium peritonitis. AJR 51: 421
Packard GB, Reynolds LE (1957) Meconium peritonitis. Ann Surg 133: 548
Sauvegrain J, Supelano-Guevara H (1970) Les signes radiologiques des péritonites méconiales. J Radiol Electrol 51: 115
Singh A, Singh R, Singh A (1977) Short colon malformation with imperforate anus. Acta Paediatr Scand 66: 589
Westdahl PR, Cline JW (1956) Calcified meconium abscess causing intestinal obstruction in an infant: Report of a case and review of the subject. Calif Med 85: 419
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bowen, A., Mazer, J., Zarabi, M. et al. Cystic meconium peritonitis: ultrasonographic features. Pediatr Radiol 14, 18–22 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02386725
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02386725