Colorectal and Pelvic Anomaly Evaluation and Diagnosis

At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, an accurate diagnosis is the foundation of every child’s treatment plan. Our careful attention to pinpointing the source of your child’s symptoms leads to personalized care and the best possible outcomes. We start with a comprehensive assessment, including evaluations from multiple specialists.

Our team works together to coordinate services and provide the compassionate care your child and family deserve. We take extra steps to make the evaluation process comfortable and less stressful. And our team approach helps most patients receive a colorectal or pelvic anomaly diagnosis in one visit.

Colorectal and Pelvic Anomaly Evaluation and Diagnosis: Why Choose Us

Our experience caring for complex colorectal and pelvic anomalies leads to an exceptional level of care. Your child benefits from the expertise of surgeons, gastroenterologists, urologists, pediatricians and other specialists. We discuss your child’s case before the first appointment to determine which tests may be necessary.

Highlights of our program include:

• Patient and family-centered approach: Our efforts to support your family start before your child’s first visit. Members of our team reach out to you to coordinate necessary authorization and explain what to expect. When you arrive at the clinic, our kind, friendly staff ease your concerns and help your child get the most out of the visit.
• Gentle care: Child Life specialists explain testing in ways that are easier to understand and help ease anxiety. We may put your child to sleep for some tests. Internationally renowned pediatric anesthesiologists provide age-appropriate care with a focus on safety.
• Personalized care plan: We use information from the assessment to tailor care to your child’s needs. Children’s Hospital offers every available option, including nonsurgical and surgical therapies. Read more about colorectal malformation treatments or genitourinary malformation treatments.
• Second opinions: Getting a second opinion can determine whether your child’s care is on the right track. This option is available to children who have already undergone testing at another facility. Our experts review the results and provide recommendations.

Specialized Tests for Colorectal and Pelvic Anomalies

Children’s Hospital offers advanced colorectal and pelvic anomaly testing.

Specialized tests and assessments we offer include:

• Biopsies for Hirschsprung’s disease: During a short procedure, surgeons take tissue samples from the large intestine. We then assess the samples in a lab to see whether they contain nerve cells. Experts at Children’s Hospital frequently perform biopsies for Hirschsprung’s disease. You can count on us for thorough testing and accurate results.
• Anorectal and colonic manometry: We assess bowel function in ways that are not often available at other hospitals. Testing involves placing sensors inside the colon and rectum. The sensors evaluate the intestines’ ability to move feces through the colon and rectum. Find out more about motility testing for colorectal anomalies.
• Urodynamic studies: We assess the bladder’s ability to store and release urine. The test uses long thin tubes (catheters) to measure pressure and muscle control. We gently place the catheters inside the bladder and rectum.
• Vaginal exams: Our team includes gynecologists. These specialists assess anomalies affecting the vagina, uterus and vulva (lobes of skin on the outer part of the vagina). If it is necessary to evaluate the internal part of the vagina, we put your child to sleep. If there is no vaginal opening, the exam may rely on imaging studies.

Additional Colorectal and Pelvic Anomaly Tests

Many types of tests are necessary to make an accurate colorectal or pelvic anomaly diagnosis. Testing may also help us monitor your child’s response to treatment. Children’s Hospital offers all the options your child may need in one program.

Additional colorectal and pelvic anomaly tests we offer include:

 Colorectal anomaly tests

Colorectal anomaly tests we offer include,

• Endoscopy, which uses a thin, lighted tube with a camera at the tip to examine the intestines. Read more about endoscopy.
• Imaging studies, which may include X-rays (contrast enema), ultrasounds or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Anorectal manometry, which uses sensors to assess stool movement through the colon and rectum.
• Rectal exam, which examines the area of the rectum near the anus.

Pelvic and urologic anomaly testing

Pelvic and urologic anomaly tests we offer include:

• Imaging studies, which may include X-rays, ultrasounds, 3D Cloacagram, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Urodynamic study, which uses imaging studies to evaluate the bladder’s ability to store and release urine.
• Vaginal exam, which examines internal or external tissue for signs of anomalies.
• Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), which captures images of the urinary system during bladder emptying.

Comprehensive Colorectal and Pelvic Anomaly Care for Children

We offer access to multiple pediatric subspecialists in one convenient location in Los Angeles. Find out more about our Colorectal Center.

Contact Us

To schedule an appointment with a colorectal and pelvic anomaly specialist, call 323-361-5711.