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Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis
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Synonyms: congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
Diffuse hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the smooth muscle of the antrum of the stomach and pylorus, usually occurring in infants 2-8 weeks of age. The pyloric muscle hypertrophy results in narrowing of the pyloric canal, which can then become easily obstructed.
- Occurs in 1 in 500 live births.
- More common in males than in females, with reported ratios ranging from 2:1 to 5:1.
- First-born male children are believed to have the highest risk.
- Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis occurs very rarely in adults and must then be differentiated from gastric cancer.1,2
- Typical presentation is onset of vomiting at 2-8 weeks old but late presentation up to 6 months can occur.3 Vomiting increases in frequency over several days. Vomiting also increases in intensity until it becomes projectile. Slight haematemesis may occur.
- Persistent hunger, weight loss, dehydration, lethargy, infrequent or absent bowel movements.
- Look for signs and degree of dehydration.
- Stomach wall peristalsis may be visible.
- An enlarged pylorus, classically described as an "olive", can usually be palpated in the right upper quadrant or epigastrium of the abdomen:
- With the infant supine and the examiner on the child's left side, gently palpate the liver edge near the xiphoid process.
- Then displace the liver superiorly; downward palpation should reveal the pyloric olive just on or to the right of the midline.
- It should be possible to roll the pylorus beneath the examining finger.
- Feeding problem or milk intolerance
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux
- Gastroenteritis
- Duodenal atresia, oesophageal atresia or other bowel obstruction in the newborn
- Intestinal malrotation
- Acute midgut volvulus
- Serum electrolytes for correction of electrolyte imbalances before surgical repair: there is often metabolic alkalosis with severe potassium depletion.
- Ultrasound is reliable and easily performed and has become the main investigation. Imaging is not required if an experienced examiner is able to palpate an 'olive'.4
- Although ultrasound is most often performed, one study found upper gastrointestinal barium series to be more cost-effective than ultrasound because fewer secondary studies were required.5
- A further advantage of a barium study is that it can identify other possible diagnoses such as gastro-oesophageal reflux.
- Vomiting can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and severe electrolyte disturbance with hypokalaemic, hypochloraemic metabolic alkalosis.
- Operative complications include mucosal perforation, continued postoperative bleeding (very rare), and persistent vomiting due to incomplete pyloromyotomy (rare).
- Prognosis is excellent unless diagnosis is delayed and prolonged severe dehydration occurs.
- Mortality is rare after pyloromyotomy.8
Document references
- Hellan M, Lee T, Lerner T; Diagnosis and therapy of primary hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in adults: case report and review of literature. J Gastrointest Surg. 2006 Feb;10(2):265-9. [abstract]
- Graadt van Roggen JF, van Krieken JH; Adult hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: case report and review.; J Clin Pathol. 1998 Jun;51(6):479-80. [abstract]
- Surgical Tutor; Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
- White MC, Langer JC, Don S, et al; Sensitivity and cost minimization analysis of radiology versus olive palpation for the diagnosis of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.; J Pediatr Surg. 1998 Jun;33(6):913-7. [abstract]
- Hulka F, Campbell JR, Harrison MW, et al; Cost-effectiveness in diagnosing infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.; J Pediatr Surg. 1997 Nov;32(11):1604-8. [abstract]
- Aspelund G, Langer JC; Current management of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Semin Pediatr Surg. 2007 Feb;16(1):27-33. [abstract]
- van der Bilt JD, Kramer WL, van der Zee DC, et al; Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: impact of experience on the results in 182 cases. Surg Endosc. 2004 Jun;18(6):907-9. Epub 2004 Apr 27. [abstract]
- Nazer H; Pyloric Stenosis, Hypertrophic. Emedicine; July 2006.
DocID: 1455
Document Version: 21
DocRef: bgp24860
Last Updated: 21 Aug 2008
Review Date: 21 Aug 2010
The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.
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