Imaging in pediatric disorders of the gut-brain interactions: current best practice and future directions

Abstract

Introduction: Disorders of Gut-Brain Interactions (DGBI) are a common clinical problem in children and pose significant challenges to the attending pediatrician. Radiological investigations are commonly ordered to evaluate these children.

Area covered: This review focuses on the current best practice of using radiological investigations in DGBIs and how novel radiological investigations could revolutionize the assessment and therapeutic approach of DGBI in children.

Expert opinion: We believe imaging in DGBI is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to revolutionize how we diagnose and treat children with DGBI. As the understanding of the gut-brain axis continues to grow, we can expect to see the disappearance of conventional imaging techniques and the emergence of more sophisticated imaging techniques with less radiation exposure in the future which provide more clinically meaningful information regarding the gut-brain axis and its influence on intestinal function. Some of the novel imaging modalities will be able to broaden our horizon of understanding DGBI in children providing more useful therapeutic options to minimize their suffering.

Keywords: Disorders of gut-brain interactions; abdominal X-ray; abdominal ultrasound; constipation; functional MRI; functional abdominal pain; functional gastrointestinal disorders; irritable bowel syndrome.