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Objective To explore the value of MRI in prenatal diagnosis of fetal esophageal atresia and to provide assistance for prenatal counseling.Methods A retrospective analysis of fetal MRI data of 1 1 cases due to ultrasound findings of hydramnios,small gastric vacuoles or unclear findings,and 22 to 3 5 gestational weeks was performed.MRI sequences included singleGshot fast spin echo (SShFSE),sequence and balanced fast field echo (BFFE),freedom cervical and thoracic cross,sagittal and coronal sectional scans, especially sagittal scans were used to observe fetal esophagus and trachea.Results In 1 1 cases prenatal ultrasound showed that the gastric cavities were small in 6 cases,not seen in 3 cases,and normal in 2 cases;5 cases of amniotic fluid increased,and 6 cases were normal;2 cases were diagnosed as susepected esophageal atersia by ultrasound.Eight patients were diagnosed as fetal esophageal atresia by MRI;one case was missed;two patients underwent MRI to show normal esophageal.9 cases of fetus were diagnosed as esophageal atresia by autopsy or postnatal examination.The MRI findings of fetal esophageal atresia showed that the upper esophagus was expanded in 6 cases,the esophagus was never showed in 3 cases,of which 1 case was missed by MRI,with the esophagus not shown,normal size of stomach bubble and normal amount of amniotic fluid.Among 11 cases,combined with cardiac macrovascular malformation in 4 cases;bilateral kidney volume decreased in 1 case;ventricular dilated in 3 cases;and single umbilical artery in 1 case.6 patients underwent induction of labor during followGup;4 patients were born successfully,including 2 patients undergoing surgery;2 patients with normal esophagus;and 1 patient with 40 weeks of fetal death.The accuracy of MRI in diagnosis of esophageal atresia was 88.9%.Conclusion Using repeated scanning of SShFSE and dynamic BFFE sequence,we can accurately observe fetal esophageal track.Fetal MRI is helpful in the diagnosis of fetal esophageal atresia,which can be used as a complement of prenatal ultrasound diagnosis method.
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Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of 64 multislice spiral CT (64-MSCT) and 1.5T MRI in nurseling with congenital vascular rings. Methods:We retrospectively studied the diagnostic records of 64-MSCT and 1.5T MRI in 48 nurseling with congenital vascular rings. There were 42 cases received CTA, 12 received MRA and 6 received both CTA and MRA. We classiifed the types of vascular rings by Edwards sketch map of aortic arch embryonic development and trachea wrapping conditions. The diagnostic values of 64-MSCT and 1.5T MRI on vascular rings were compared. Results: There were 25 patients with complete vascular rings including 3 of double aortic arch, 12 right aortic arch with left subclavian artery and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), 9 combining with arterial ligament, 1 neck right aortic arch with left subclavian artery combining left PDA;and 23 patients with in-complete vascular rings including 2 pulmonary artery sling, 9 left aortic arch with right subclavian artery combining left PDA, 10 combining with arterial ligament, 1 right aortic arch with left subclavian artery combining right PDA, 1 with innominate artery compressed trachea. There were 32/48 patients combined with cardiac malformations, both 64-MSCT and 1.5T MRI may well reveal the composition and special relationship of vessel rings. The minimum intensity projection (MinIP) and air volume rendering (VR) of 64-MSCT may clearly display the morphology and development of trachea, image fusion technique could directly show the special relationships among vascular rings, trachea and esophagus. While 1.5T MRI was relatively poor to present tracheal image. Conclusion: 64-MSCT could accurately and comprehensively display the special relationships among the vessels rings, trachea and esophagus;which was the best method for diagnosing the nurseling with vessel rings in clinical practice.
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Objective To discuss the therapeutic effect of transcatheter arterial embolization using hardening agent combined with oral propranolol in treating giant hemangioma at maxillofacial region in infants. Methods During the period from October 2013 to December 2014 at Imaging Center of Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital, transcatheter arterial embolization using hardening agent combined with oral propranolol was employed in a total of 27 infants with giant hemangioma at maxillofacial region. The age of the infants ranged from 2 months to 22 months (mean 5.9 months) and the body weight was 4.5-10 kg with a mean of 6.32 kg. Angiography via femoral artery was performed, which was followed by super-selective catheterization of hemangioma-feeding artery, and then pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion was injected into the hemangiomas with subsequent injection of PVA particles to obstruct the hemangioma-feeding artery. After the embolization treatment, the patient received oral propranolol for 3-6 months. Results All the infant patients were followed up for 3-6 months. Clinical examination and ultrasonography indicated that the hemangioma was cured in 20 infants (75%) and the therapeutic result was effective in 7 infants (25%). Skin necrosis at hemangiomas site was observed in 2 infants (7.5%), which was cured after symptomatic treatment. No serious complications such as pulmonary embolism, cerebral embolism occurred, and no recurrence was observed. Conclusion For the treatment of giant hemangioma at maxillofacial region in infants, transcatheter arterial embolization using hardening agent combined with oral propranolol is minimally invasive, quickly effective and highly safe;and this treatment leaves no scar formation in most cases. Therefore, this technique is worthy of clinical application.
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Objective To explore the value of MRI in the diagnosis of fetal aortic arch anomalies. Methods We retrospectively collected 10 fetuses with aortic arch anomalies indicated by prenatal ultrasound and underwent MR examination and were subsequently proven by autopsy or post-birth follow-up from 320 pregnant women. We focused on the observations of the location of the aortic arch and brachiocephalic artery anomalies, the locations of the liver and stomach in the abdominal cavity, and the large vessels in abdomen. The above-mentioned finding were compared with prenatal ultrasound and follow-up findings. Results Of 10 cases, right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery was seen in 7 cases, right aortic arch with the mirror branch, left aortic arch with aberrant right subclavian artery, right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery combined with cervical aortic arch and double aortic arch was seen in 1 case, respectively. All aortic arch anomalies detected by MRI were consistent with post-birth or autopsy findings. Ultrasound misdiagnosed aortic branch malformation in 5 places, which included right aortic arch but misdiagnosed aberrant left subclavian artery in 2 cases, right aortic arch never diagnosed mirror branch anomaly in 1 case, right aortic arch with left subclavian artery misdiagnosed cervical aortic arch in 1 case, left atrial isomerism but misdiagnosed left aortic arch with aberrant right subclavian artery in 1 case;One double aortic arch was misdiagnosed as right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery in ultrasound. Conclusion Fetal cardiovascular MRI is an effective and supplementary examination to complement ultrasound in diagnosis of fetal aortic arch anomalies.
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Objective To investigate the CT manifestations of Meckel's diverticulum and its complications in children. Methods Retrospective analysis of Clinical and CT findings in 25 cases with pathologically proved Meckel's diverticulum. The unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT were obtained in all patients. Results (1)The direct signs: the diverticulum cannot be shown in 5 cases; the diverticulums were found around the navel or in lower right abdomen in 20 cases. The blind-ending fluid-filled or gas-filled structures were found in 9 cases, with heterogeneous ring-enhancement. The tubercle-like structures were detected in 11 cases, which showed no enhancement in 4 cases, and homogeneous enhancement in 3 cases,and heterogeneous enhancement in 4 cases. (2) The indirect signs included intestine obstruction in 8 cases,swelling fat layer surrounding the diverticulum in 9 cases, free gas around the diverticulum in 3 cases,thickened mesentery in 8 cases, ascites in 4 cases, and intussusception due to inverted Meckel's diverticulum with "target sign" in 1 case. (3) CT classification: with diverticulitis or diverticular bleeding in 20 eases; with intestine obstruction or intussusception in 8 cases; bands-caused obstruction in 7 cases;intussusception in 1 case; with perforation in 3 cases. Conclusion Meckel's diverticulum and its complications have typical CT findings, and CT can clearly demonstrate diverticulum's shape, margin,internal components and surroundiug tissues.
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Objective To study the clinical value of 64-slice spiral computed tomography(64SCT) contrast-enhanced scan and three-dimensional reconstructed techniques in the diagnosis of complex congenital heart disease(CCHD). Methods 39 patients with CCHD underwent CT angiography and transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE). Of them, the electrocardiographic-gating technique was used in 8 cases. The accurate rates in diagnosing CCHD with CT, TTE and CT with or without electrocardiographic-gating were analysed compared with that of operation and χ~2 test using SPSS13.0 tool. Results A total of 102 cardiac deformities con-firmed by operations,those included 47 intracardiac deformities,the diagnostic accuracys with CT and TTE were 85.1% and 95.7%, respectively, and there was no obvious difference among them (χ~2=2.68, P>0.05). 55 extracardiac deformities, the definite diagnos-tic rates with CT and TTE were 98.2% and 78.2%, respectively. CT was superior to TTE in the indentification of extracardiac de-formities(χ~2= 14.64 ,P<0.01). There was no obvious difference between with and without electrocardiographic-gating technique during CT scanning in diagnosis of cardiac deformities(χ~2=1.84, P>0.05). Conclusion 64SCT has significant value in diagnosis of CCHD,and there was no obvious difference in diagnosis of cardiac deformities by 64SCT between with and without electrocardio-graphic-gating technic.
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Objective To analyze radiographic characteristics of pneumomediastinum in neonates,and to improve its diagnostic quality. Methods Supine anteroposterior chest film was taken in 22 neonates with pneumomediastinum, additional supine lateral chest film with horizontal projection simultaneously carried out in 16. One or more radiographic follow-ups was made in 14 cases. Spiral CT scanning was done in 4 patients. The imaging findings were retrospectively analyzed.Results Of the total 22 cases, thymic spinnaker-sail sign was seen in 9,transparent area cross the intermediate line of mediastinum in 9,streak and cystic transparent area scattered in the mediastinum in 4. Pneumothorax was accompanied in 12 cases.Conclusion Pneumomediastinum in newborn has its own radiographic characteristics. In most patients occurred thymic spinnaker-sail sign,or transparent area cross the intermediate line of mediastinum and frequently with pneumothorax. It is best shown by integrating supine anterioposterior films with lateral films of horizontal projection. CT scanning can provide more valuable information.