Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: tips and tricks for ultrasound diagnosis

Abstract

We describe a systematic approach to the ultrasound (US) examination of the antropyloric region in children. US is the modality of choice for the diagnosis of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS). The imaging features of the normal pylorus and the diagnostic findings in HPS are reviewed and illustrated in this pictorial essay. Common difficulties in performing the examination and tips to help overcome them will also be discussed.

Main Messages

• Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis is defined by thickening of the muscular layer and failure in relaxation of the pyloric canal.

• The main diagnostic criterion is a measurement of more than 3mm in thickness of the muscular layer.

• Abnormal elongation of the canal is characterised as greater than 12 mm in length.

Introduction

Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) is the most frequent surgical condition in infants in the first few months of life [1]. The condition is characterised by thickening of the muscular layer and failure of the pyloric canal to relax resulting in gastric outlet obstruction. Elongation of the canal and thickened mucosa are also seen. Ultrasound (US) is the preferred diagnostic modality [2] as it is a non-invasive technique, allowing direct observation of the pyloric canal morphology and behaviour. It is important to carry out a systematic and dynamic study and to be aware of the common technical difficulties and how to overcome them.

Clinical features

HPS is the most common surgical cause of vomiting in infants. It has an incidence of 3 per 1,000 live births per year, although wide variations have been documented with geographic location, season and ethnic origin [3]. This disease usually presents between the second and sixth weeks of life, more commonly in the white population, in males (male:female ratio 4:1) and typically in first-born children [4]. A history of an affected first-degree relative increases the risk more than five-fold [5].

The US examination allows the radiologist to perform a brief clinical history, which can reveal essential clues to the diagnosis. A recent history of projectile and nonbilious vomiting, which may be intermittent or with every feeding is the classical complaint. Typically the infant has a voracious appetite.

When the vomiting persists, other clinical and biochemical findings may occur such as dehydration, hypochloraemic alkalosis and unconjugated jaundice. Late clinical manifestations include weight loss and visible gastric peristaltic activity with a palpable pyloric ‘olive’. Prompt US diagnosis is important as these late findings make the infants sub-optimal candidates for surgery.

Imaging technique

US is the first modality of choice when there is clinical suspicion of HPS, as it is non-invasive and does not use radiation, which is a crucial advantage in children. It is also a commonly available with relatively low cost. US also allows a dynamic study with direct observation of the pyloric canal morphology and behaviour. The US should be performed by an experienced radiologist. Having a systematic approach will improve the sensitivity of the technique.

US examination of the antropyloric region

Before performing the US, some general conditions for examining infants should be addressed, as these can affect the quality of the examination. The key is to keep the baby comfortable, for example with US gel warmed to a suitable ambient temperature. If possible the examination should be performed after a feeding and accompanied by a parent.

A high-frequency transducer adjusted to the size of the patient and the depth of the pylorus should be used. In the majority of the cases a 6–10 MHz linear probe will provide the depth required to visualise the pylorus [5].

Identification of the pylorus

First step: In the supine position with the transducer in a transverse position and sometimes with slight anti-clockwise rotation, identify the gallbladder. The pylorus is usually located slightly medial and posterior in relation to the gallbladder (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1

The pylorus (arrow) between the gastric antrum (A) and the duodenum (D) lying posterior to the gallbladder (*)

Observe the pyloric morphology

Second step: Assess the appearance and measurements of the pylorus (Fig. 1). The muscular layer is usually a hypoechogenic thin layer less than 2 mm in thickness. It is important to be aware that tangential views and contractions can produce pseudo-thickening.

Observe the pyloric behaviour

Third step: Visualize the passage of the gastric content through the pylorus, distending the antropyloric region. This dynamic evaluation is vital, as a wide open pylorus with normal passage of the gastric contents excludes HPS (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2

Passage of the gastric content through the pylorus, distending the antropyloric region (arrow)

Tips and tricks

One common difficulty is a stomach filled with gas (Fig. 3). The easiest way to avoid this is by placing the infant in an oblique position with the right side down, as this will allow fluid to fill the antrum, acting as an acoustic window. A stomach completely filled with milk can also cause artefacts, other possibilities are to give the infant water or even to place a nasogastric tube, empty the stomach and then fill it with water.

Fig. 3

The stomach distended with gas (arrow)

Another frequent problem is that a markedly distended stomach can displace the pylorus dorsally making it very difficult to access (Fig. 4). In this situation, moving the infant into an oblique position with the left side down will help to move the pylorus to a more anterior position.

Fig. 4

The distended stomach (*), posteriorly displacing the pylorus (arrow), which resembles the appearance of the uterine cervix

The identification of the pylorus can be difficult, but a systematic approach will improve chances of success. Remember that a normal pylorus is much harder to visualise than a hypertrophied one.

US diagnostic criteria of HPS

The main diagnostic criterion is measurement of the thickness of the muscular layer. An abnormal cut off value of 3 mm in thickness has been described in the literature (Figs. 5 and 6) [6–9].

Fig. 5

The hypertrophied muscular layer

Fig. 6

Abnormal elongation of the pyloric canal (measure 1)

The other principal sonographic size criterion is the length of the pyloric canal. Abnormal elongation of the canal is defined as greater than 12 mm in length (Fig. 6) [9], however this measure is more difficult to perform and for this reason is considered a less reliable criterion [10].

In HPS the thickened muscle and elongated pylorus are fixed over time, which helps the operator to identify this condition. The appearance of the hypertrophied pylorus has previously been described as the cervix sign [11], as it resembles the appearance of the uterine cervix (Fig. 4).

Additional US findings in HPS are hypertrophy of the mucosa and a markedly distended and actively peristalsing stomach. A double internal layer of crowded and redundant mucosa may be identified (Fig. 7a), protruding through the antrum (Fig. 7b). This was classically described as the nipple sign in conventional contrast studies. The double layer of thickened mucosa is hyperechogenic and can be confused with echogenic contents passing through the pylorus.

Fig. 7

a The double layer of thickened mucosa (*), b protruding through the antrum

Borderline measures

Thickening of the pyloric canal may be transient due to peristalsis or pylorospasm. In the majority of cases of pylorospasm, the muscle is not hypertrophied. Sometimes the muscle can be slightly thick, but it usually measures less than 3 mm. With prolonged observation, pyloric opening may be visualised.

If the muscle layer is 2–3 mm thick, and it does not relax during examination, clinical follow-up with repeat US is advisable [5, 6, 12]. Particular attention should be paid to pre-term infants and those in the younger age range. In premature infants, HPS develops at the same age as in term infants, but their smaller size should be taken into consideration. Argyropoulou et al. [13] showed that normal pyloric dimensions increase with the gestational age and documented an even stronger correlation with body weight, providing normal values for muscle thickness, canal length and canal width from prematurity to full-term infants. Haider et al. [14] performed a study with 190 infants operated for HPS and found a strong correlation with the ultrasound measurement of the pyloric length and the weight of the infant, which can be helpful in small and premature patients. However these authors also highlight the importance of the morphological appearance of the pylorus in premature infants.

Post-treatment imaging of HPS

The treatment of HPS is surgical pyloromyotomy. A further US examination may be requested if vomiting persists following surgery. However, the radiologist and the surgeon should be aware that the pyloric muscle may remain thickened after successful surgery and can take up to 5 months to return to normal thickness.

In the first week after surgery, the muscle can be the same thickness or even thicker than before surgery and then the dimensions gradually return to normal. The anterior part of the muscle tends to normalize first, usually measuring less than 3 mm by 3 months. The posterior part is last to normalise, usually after 5 months, when the pylorus regains its appearance of an elongated ring. This order of changes is related to the anterior surgical approach to the muscle [15].

An upper GI examination may also be performed if emesis continues post-operatively, in order to exclude a duodenal leak or to assess an incomplete pyloromyotomy or gastro-oesophageal reflux [16].

Conclusion

Pyloric US examination is a dynamic investigation, which should be performed in a systematic way. The radiologist should be aware of the pitfalls of the examination and how to overcome them. It is important to be familiar with the normal and hypertrophied pyloric appearances, as this will provide a greater diagnostic confidence, assisting in early diagnosis and improving the management of infants with HPS.