Assessing the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic ultrasound for pediatric hepato-pancreatico-biliary disorders: a systematic review

Omar Alomari; Khaled A Abualkhair; Khaled Saad; Sara Magdy; Janna A Omran; Mahmoud M AlSanafini; Loay A Hassan; Omar Y ElBasatiny; Djihane Machane; Marwan Abdulrahim; Hadeer G Abo-Elmaged; Mohamed Elshaieb; Mohamed Shawky Elfarargy; Amira Elhoufey; Hamad Ghaleb Dailah; Aya H Sayed; Alaa Ismail; Bassel Walid; Mahmoud Hashemy; Ahmed M Afifi; Anas Elgenidy

doi:10.1007/s00247-024-06159-1

Assessing the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic ultrasound for pediatric hepato-pancreatico-biliary disorders: a systematic review

Pediatr Radiol. 2025 Jan 17. doi: 10.1007/s00247-024-06159-1. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Omar Alomari¹, Khaled A Abualkhair², Khaled Saad³, Sara Magdy⁴, Janna A Omran⁵, Mahmoud M AlSanafini², Loay A Hassan⁶, Omar Y ElBasatiny⁶, Djihane Machane⁷, Marwan Abdulrahim⁶, Hadeer G Abo-Elmaged⁵, Mohamed Elshaieb⁸, Mohamed Shawky Elfarargy⁹, Amira Elhoufey^{10

11}, Hamad Ghaleb Dailah¹², Aya H Sayed¹⁰, Alaa Ismail¹³, Bassel Walid², Mahmoud Hashemy⁶, Ahmed M Afifi¹⁴, Anas Elgenidy⁶

Affiliations

¹ University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey.
² Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
³ Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt. [email protected].
⁴ Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
⁵ Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt.
⁶ Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
⁷ Farhat Abbas University, Setif, Algeria.
⁸ Minia University, Minia, Egypt.
⁹ Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia.
¹⁰ Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
¹¹ Alddrab University College, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
¹² Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
¹³ Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.
¹⁴ University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.

PMID: 39821667
DOI: 10.1007/s00247-024-06159-1

Abstract

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (US) has been established as a safe diagnostic tool for adults, but its use in children remains underexplored. The rising prevalence of pediatric hepato-pancreato-biliary disorders requires a closer examination of its utility. In this systematic review, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and clinical impact of endoscopic US in the pediatric population, concentrating on its diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic applications.

Methods: All related clinical studies were identified by searching the Web of Science databases, PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, Cochrane, and Embase. Data were extracted from relevant studies using a pre-planned Excel sheet.

Results: Twenty-eight studies demonstrated that endoscopic US in children is safe, technically successful, and clinically impactful, offering valuable diagnostic and interventional competencies. Endoscopic US was frequently used for microlithiasis, choledocholithiasis, and pancreaticobiliary anomalies. It reliably outperformed other imaging modalities, effectively reducing the need for more invasive procedures. Endoscopic US had a remarkable clinical impact, with diverse diagnostic yields, highlighting its role in diagnosing and treating children with hepato-pancreato-biliary disorders. The safety profile of endoscopic US in children was excellent, with nominal reported complications.

Conclusion: Our comprehensive review underlines the promising application of endoscopic US in pediatric hepato-pancreato-biliary diseases. The endoscopic US demonstrates its diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic potential in children, offering a non-invasive, safe, and efficient approach. As we move forward, addressing the identified limitations and expanding the pediatric-specific research on endoscopic US will enhance our ability to provide precise and patient-centered care in managing pediatric hepato-pancreato-biliary disorders.

Keywords: Child; Complications; Hepatopancreatobiliary diseases; Safety; Ultrasonography, endoscopic.

Publication types

Review