Abstract

Objective: To determine the sonographic differential diagnosis of abdominal masses among
children visiting The Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore, Pakistan.
Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted at the Radiology
Department of The Children’s Hospital, Lahore. Data of 188 patients was collected through a
convenient sampling technique via self-structured questionnaire. All the children upto the
age of 18 years coming with abdominal masses from August 2017- January 2018 were included. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 24.
Results: Majority of the children were between 6-12 years of age. Overall mean age was 5.35+4.40 years. Majority 116(61.7%) of the children were males and females were 72(38.3%). M:F was 1.6:1. Hydronephrosis was the most common abdominal mass seen in 37(19.7%) patients, followed by Lymphoma 36(19.2%), Wilms’ Tumor 21(11.2%), Liver Abscess 16(8.5%), Neuroblastoma 11(5.8%), Pseudo-Pancreatic Cyst 11(5.8%) and Choledocal Cyst 11(5.8%). Most common clinical presentations were abdominal distention 79(42.0%), pain abdomen 52(27.7%) and fever 22(11.7%).
Conclusions: Pediatric abdominal masses were more common in males. Majority of the tumors were noted in children between 6-12 years of age. Majority of the masses had features of benign lesion on ultrasound. Renal masses were the most common presenting in almost all age groups being most common in Neonates. Hydronephrosis was the most common diagnosis followed by Lymphoma, Wilms’ Tumour, Liver Abscess, Neuroblastoma, Pseudo-Pancreatic Cyst and Choledocal Cyst.

Key words: Ultrasound, abdominal masses, infants, neonates, child, adolescent.