Bed-side Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Gastro-intestinal Tract and Neutropenic Enterocolitis (NEC) in Neutropenic Patients.
Bed-side Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Gastro-intestinal Tract and Neutropenic Enterocolitis (NEC) in Neutropenic Patients.
Neutropenic enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening complication of leukemic and solid tumors patients (pts) treated with chemotherapy (CHT) with high mortality rate up to 50-100%. Perforation occurs in 5%-10% of cases. Early diagnosis is crucial to start conservative medical management (CMM), which appears the optimal strategy for most cases.
NEC should be always suspected in Neutropenic pts with abdominal pain, fever and diarrhea.
Ultrasound (US) can be used to evaluate bowel-wall thickening (BWT). The objective of this study is to evaluate prospectively if US can detect early signs of NEC and guide a prompt treatment (CMM or surgical) and thus reduce mortality.
Inclusion Criteria:
All patients admitted in Hematology Ward University of Pisa (Italy) to receive chemotherapy who experienced neutropenia related to chemotherapy
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients admitted in Hematology Ward University of Pisa (Italy) who did not receive chemotherapy