Contrast-enhanced Colonosonography in AnoRectal malformations (CoCo-ARM) study.

StudyJournal of pediatric surgery· Aug 2026

Contrast-enhanced Colonosonography in AnoRectal malformations (CoCo-ARM) study.

Esther Westwood, Andrea Bhardwaj, Clare Lloyd … Hemanshoo Thakkar

Read paper

Pediatric SurgeryStudyDiagnosisQ1IF 2.1

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings matched surgical findings in all anorectal malformation patients

Contrast-enhanced Colonosonography in AnoRectal malformations (CoCo-ARM) study.

Esther Westwood … Hemanshoo Thakkar

Journal of pediatric surgery · Aug 2026 · Q1 in Surgery

Background

Fluoroscopic colostography (fluoroscopic colostography) is the gold-standard modality to plan definitive surgery in anorectal malformation (anorectal malformation).

Methods

Male patients with anorectal malformation awaiting reconstructive surgery were recruited during a 12-month period.

n = 11 patients

Results

10/10 (100%)

ultrasound findings matched surgery findings in every reconstructed case

n = 11 patients

More results

There was agreement in 8/11 (73%) patients between the two modalities.

Beaking was seen at fluoroscopic colostography without a clear fistula in 2 cases, but was demonstrated clearly on CeCS.

More results

In the eleventh case, fluoroscopic colostography demonstrated a potential perineal fistula; there was poor filling of the distal limb using initial CeCS.

“

Conclusion

CeCS is equivalent, if not superior to, fluoroscopic colostography in accurately identifying the fistular anatomy in males with anorectal malformations. Studies can be reviewed and reported with a high degree of diagnostic confidence.

Contrast-enhanced Colonosonography in AnoRectal malformations (CoCo-ARM) study.

Contrast-enhanced Colonosonography in AnoRectal malformations (CoCo-ARM) study.

Related papers