ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS IN MEXICO

Aims Evaluate the feasibility, safeness and clinical utility of EUS in the management of gastrointestinal disorders in children at a national referral center from Mexico.

Methods Retrospective study in which nineteen pediatric patients (< 18yo) that were evaluated by means of EUS were included. The time period was from October 2016 to November 2019. Data was obtained from electronic charts and a local database. Indications, efficacy, safety and clinical utility were determined. Clinical utility was defined as a new diagnosis or therapeutic approach due to EUS results.

Results Twenty-one procedures in nineteen children were included (8 boys/11 girls). Median age was 14 yo (range 1.5 −17). Biliopancreatic disease was the main indication of EUS (90.4%). Rectal and esophageal indications account for one case each. EUS guided fine needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) was done in five patients (3 pancreatic and 2 hepatic). Eight procedures were therapeutic: pancreatic pseudocyst drainage, transgastric pancreatography and transduodenal cholangiography with biliary drainage. There was one self-limited bleeding complication. EUS was clinically useful in all patients.

Conclusions EUS is a safe and useful tool in pediatric patients, especially in children with biliopancreatic disorders.