A Surgeon's Predicament: Clinical Predictors of Surgery and Mortality in Neutropenic Enterocolitis

Retrospective study of 74 pediatric cancer patients with neutropenic enterocolitis identifies Shock Index Pediatric Age-Adjusted (SIPA) as a predictor of mortality risk and need for surgical intervention. CT findings including bowel obstruction, pneumatosis, and extensive large bowel involvement were associated with progression to surgery.