In pediatric imaging, the “target sign” is indicative of what condition?

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The “target sign” is predominantly associated with intussusception in pediatric imaging. This sign refers to a specific appearance seen on ultrasound or CT scans, where the cross-section of the intestine resembles a target or a bull's-eye. This occurs due to the layers of the intestinal wall being compressed and overlying each other during the process of one segment of the bowel telescoping into an adjacent segment.

Intussusception commonly presents in children with symptoms like intermittent abdominal pain, vomiting, and the presence of currant jelly stools due to the mixing of blood and mucus. The target sign is a reliable imaging finding that helps clinicians diagnose this condition promptly and accurately, as intussusception can lead to serious complications like bowel ischemia if not treated.

In contrast, other conditions listed, while they may present with various imaging findings, do not typically demonstrate the “target sign.” Appendicitis may show signs of an enlarged appendix or surrounding inflammation but lacks the characteristic concentric rings seen in intussusception. Inflammatory bowel disease could present with a variety of features such as wall thickening and strictures but does not manifest as a target sign. Lastly, a hernia would usually show protrusion of tissues rather than the specific layered structure seen in

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