Radiological patterns of pulmonary fungal infection in pediatric hematology and oncology patients

Abstract Objective: To describe the radiological findings in pediatric patients with hematological or oncological diseases who also have an invasive fungal infection (IFI). Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of all patients with IFI admitted to a pediatric hematology and oncology hospital in Brazil between 2008 and 2014. Clinical and demographic data were collected. Chest computed tomography (CT) scans of the patients were reviewed by two independent radiologists. Results: We evaluated the chest CT scans of 40 pediatric patients diagnosed with an IFI. Twenty-seven patients (67.5%) had nodules with the halo sign, seven (17.5%) had cavities, two (5.0%) had nodules without the halo sign, and seven (17.5%) had consolidation. The patients with the halo sign and cavities were older (123 vs. 77 months of age; p = 0.03) and had less severe disease (34% vs. 73%; p = 0.04). Ten patients had a proven IFI: with Aspergillus sp. (n = 4); with Candida sp. (n = 5); or with Fusarium sp. (n = 1). Conclusion: A diagnosis of IFI should be considered in children and adolescents with risk factors and abnormal CT scans, even if the imaging findings are nonspecific.

Resumo Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo é descrever os achados radiológicos de infecções fúngicas invasivas em crianças com doenças onco-hematológicas em um único centro, de acordo com a classificação antiga e a atual de imagens típicas e atípicas. Materiais e Métodos: Foram revisados os prontuários de todos os pacientes com infecção fúngica invasiva que foram internados em um hospital pediátrico de oncologia e hematologia de 2008 a 2014. Foram coletados dados clínicos e demográficos. As tomografias de tórax dos pacientes foram laudadas por dois radiologistas independentes. Resultados: Foram identificados 40 pacientes com infecção fúngica invasiva que realizaram tomografias de tórax. Vinte e sete pacientes apresentaram nódulos com sinal do halo (67,5%), sete tiveram cavitações (17,5%), dois tiveram nódulos sem halo (5,0%) e sete apresentaram consolidações (17,5%). Os pacientes que apresentavam achados de nódulos com sinal do halo e cavitações eram mais velhos (123 versus 77 meses; p = 0,03) e tinham menos sinais de doença grave (34% versus 73%; p = 0,04) do que os outros pacientes. Dez crianças apresentaram infecção confirmada (Aspergillus sp., n = 4; Candida sp., n = 5; Fusarium sp., n = 1). Conclusão: O diagnóstico de infecção fúngica invasiva deve ser considerado em crianças com fatores de risco e tomografias de tórax alteradas, mesmo que os achados das imagens sejam inespecíficos.

Use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in pediatrics / Utilização da ultrassonografia com contraste de microbolhas na pediatria

Abstract Although contrast-enhanced ultrasound has been shown to provide considerable benefits, particularly in pediatric patients, it is still used relatively rarely in Brazil. It has proven to be a safe technique, and adverse effects are rare. In this review, we address the technique and main applications of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the pediatric population, including the evaluation of focal liver lesions, abdominal trauma, kidney grafts, liver grafts, bowel loops, and vesicoureteral reflux. It is important for pediatric radiologists to be acquainted with this promising tool, understanding its applications and limitations.

Resumo A ultrassonografia com contraste de microbolhas é um método ainda pouco utilizado no Brasil, mas que tem grandes vantagens, ainda mais na faixa pediátrica, como ausência de radiação e dispensa de sedação/anestesia. O contraste de microbolhas tem se mostrado bastante seguro e com raríssimas reações adversas graves. Apresentaremos nesta revisão a técnica para o uso desse contraste na ultrassonografia, bem como as principais aplicações na faixa pediátrica, como avaliação das lesões hepáticas focais, do trauma abdominal, do enxerto hepático e renal nos transplantes, das alças intestinais e da pesquisa de refluxo vesicoureteral. É importante que radiologistas que exerçam funções em centros pediátricos conheçam essa ferramenta promissora.

Persistent symptoms and decreased health-related quality of life after symptomatic pediatric COVID-19: A prospective study in a Latin American tertiary hospital

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively evaluate demographic, anthropometric and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in pediatric patients with laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) METHODS: This was a longitudinal observational study of surviving pediatric post-COVID-19 patients (n=53) and pediatric subjects without laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 included as controls (n=52) was performed. RESULTS: The median duration between COVID-19 diagnosis (n=53) and follow-up was 4.4 months (0.8-10.7). Twenty-three of 53 (43%) patients reported at least one persistent symptom at the longitudinal follow-up visit and 12/53 (23%) had long COVID-19, with at least one symptom lasting for >12 weeks. The most frequently reported symptoms at the longitudinal follow-up visit were headache (19%), severe recurrent headache (9%), tiredness (9%), dyspnea (8%), and concentration difficulty (4%). At the longitudinal follow-up visit, the frequencies of anemia (11% versus 0%, p=0.030), lymphopenia (42% versus 18%, p=0.020), C-reactive protein level of >30 mg/L (35% versus 0%, p=0.0001), and D-dimer level of >1000 ng/mL (43% versus 6%, p=0.0004) significantly reduced compared with baseline values. Chest X-ray abnormalities (11% versus 2%, p=0.178) and cardiac alterations on echocardiogram (33% versus 22%, p=0.462) were similar at both visits. Comparison of characteristic data between patients with COVID-19 at the longitudinal follow-up visit and controls showed similar age (p=0.962), proportion of male sex (p=0.907), ethnicity (p=0.566), family minimum monthly wage (p=0.664), body mass index (p=0.601), and pediatric pre-existing chronic conditions (p=1.000). The Pediatric Quality of Live Inventory 4.0 scores, median physical score (69 [0-100] versus 81 [34-100], p=0.012), and school score (60 [15-100] versus 70 [15-95], p=0.028) were significantly lower in pediatric patients with COVID-19 at the longitudinal follow-up visit than in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients with COVID-19 showed a longitudinal impact on HRQoL parameters, particularly in physical/school domains, reinforcing the need for a prospective multidisciplinary approach for these patients. These data highlight the importance of closer monitoring of children and adolescents by the clinical team after COVID-19.

Differences in children and adolescents with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a cohort study in a Brazilian tertiary referral hospital

OBJECTIVES: To compare demographic/clinical/laboratory/treatments and outcomes among children and adolescents with laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that included patients diagnosed with pediatric COVID-19 (aged <18 years) between April 11, 2020 and April 22, 2021. During this period, 102/5,951 (1.7%) of all admissions occurred in neonates, children, and adolescents. Furthermore, 3,962 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection samples were processed in patients aged <18 years, and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 occurred in 155 (4%) inpatients and outpatients. Six/155 pediatric patients were excluded from the study. Therefore, the final group included 149 children and adolescents (n=97 inpatients and 52 outpatients) with positive SARS-CoV-2 results. RESULTS: The frequencies of sore throat, anosmia, dysgeusia, headache, myalgia, nausea, lymphopenia, pre-existing chronic conditions, immunosuppressive conditions, and autoimmune diseases were significantly reduced in children and adolescents (p<0.05). Likewise, the frequencies of enoxaparin use (p=0.037), current immunosuppressant use (p=0.008), vasoactive agents (p=0.045), arterial hypotension (p<0.001), and shock (p=0.024) were significantly lower in children than in adolescents. Logistic regression analysis showed that adolescents with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 had increased odds ratios (ORs) for sore throat (OR 13.054; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.750-61.977; p=0.001), nausea (OR 8.875; 95% CI 1.660-47.446; p=0.011), and lymphopenia (OR 3.575; 95% CI 1.355-9.430; p=0.010), but also had less hospitalizations (OR 0.355; 95% CI 0.138-0.916; p=0.032). The additional logistic regression analysis on patients with preexisting chronic conditions (n=108) showed that death as an outcome was significantly associated with pediatric severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) (OR 22.300; 95% CI 2.341-212.421; p=0.007) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) (OR 11.261; 95% CI 1.189-106. 581; p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Half of the laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases occurred in adolescents. Individuals belonging to this age group had an acute systemic involvement of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Pediatric SARS and MIS-C were the most important factors associated with the mortality rate in pediatric chronic conditions with COVID-19.

Focal hyperechoic liver lesions in children: far beyond hemangiomas - pictorial essay / Lesões hepáticas hiperecogênicas focais em crianças: muito além dos hemangiomas - ensaio iconográfico

Abstract The aim of this report was to present a selection of focal hyperechoic liver lesions of different etiologies, illustrating the wide spectrum of diagnostic possibilities for such lesions in the pediatric population.

Resumo Apresentamos uma seleção de lesões focais hiperecogênicas hepáticas de diversas etiologias, que ilustram o grande espectro de diferentes possibilidades diagnósticas dessas lesões na faixa pediátrica, muito além dos hemangiomas.

Diagnosis and management of systemic hypertension due to renovascular and aortic stenosis in patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome

SUMMARY AIM To describe the incidence, diagnosis, and management of systemic arterial hypertension related to renal artery stenosis in patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome. METHODS Sixty-five patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome were evaluated for hypertension. Enrolled patients underwent Doppler sonography of the renal arteries and Doppler echocardiography. Those with Doppler sonography-detected lesions or with normal Doppler sonography but severe hypertension underwent computed tomography or gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography of the aorta and renal vessels. Patients needing vascular therapeutic intervention underwent conventional angiography. RESULTS Systemic arterial hypertension was diagnosed in 21/65 patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome (32%; 13 male) with a mean age of 13.9 years (5mo-20yrs). In 8/21 patients renovascular hypertension was detected. Angioplasty was unsuccessful in five patients with renal artery stenosis, requiring additional treatment. Doppler echocardiography showed cardiac abnormalities in 16/21 (76%) hypertensive patients. CONCLUSION Cardiac abnormalities and hypertension in patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome are common. Thus, thorough evaluation and follow-up are necessary to reduce cardiovascular risks and mortality of these patients

RESUMO OBJETIVO Descrever a incidência, o diagnóstico e o tratamento da hipertensão arterial sistêmica relacionada com estenose da artéria renal em pacientes com síndrome de Williams-Beuren. MÉTODOS Sessenta e cinco pacientes com síndrome de Williams-Beuren foram avaliados quanto à presença de hipertensão. Os pacientes foram submetidos à ultrassonografia com Doppler das artérias renais e ecocardiograma Doppler. Aqueles com suspeita de hipertensão renovascular foram submetidos à tomografia computadorizada ou angiografia por ressonância magnética da aorta e vasos renais ou angiografia convencional. RESULTADOS A hipertensão arterial sistêmica foi diagnosticada em 21/65 pacientes com síndrome de Williams-Beuren (32%, 13 do sexo masculino), com idade média de 13,9 anos (5 meses-20 anos). Em 8/21 pacientes foi detectada a hipertensão renovascular. Angioplastia não teve sucesso em cinco pacientes com estenose da artéria renal, necessitando de tratamento adicional. O ecocardiograma Doppler mostrou anormalidades cardíacas em 16/21 (76%) pacientes hipertensos. CONCLUSÃO As anormalidades cardíacas e hipertensão arterial em pacientes com síndrome de Williams-Beuren são muito frequentes, sendo necessários uma avaliação minuciosa e seguimento para diminuir o risco cardiovascular e a morbimortalidade desses pacientes

Pediatric minor head trauma: do cranial CT scans change the therapeutic approach?

OBJECTIVES: 1) To verify clinical signs correlated with appropriate cranial computed tomography scan indications and changes in the therapeutic approach in pediatric minor head trauma scenarios. 2) To estimate the radiation exposure of computed tomography scans with low dose protocols in the context of trauma and the additional associated risk. METHODS: Investigators reviewed the medical records of all children with minor head trauma, which was defined as a Glasgow coma scale ≥13 at the time of admission to the emergency room, who underwent computed tomography scans during the years of 2013 and 2014. A change in the therapeutic approach was defined as a neurosurgical intervention performed within 30 days, hospitalization, >12 hours of observation, or neuro-specialist evaluation. RESULTS: Of the 1006 children evaluated, 101 showed some abnormality on head computed tomography scans, including 49 who were hospitalized, 16 who remained under observation and 36 who were dismissed. No patient underwent neurosurgery. No statistically significant relationship was observed between patient age, time between trauma and admission, or signs/symptoms related to trauma and abnormal imaging results. A statistically significant relationship between abnormal image results and a fall higher than 1.0 meter was observed (p=0.044). The mean effective dose was 2.0 mSv (0.1 to 6.8 mSv), corresponding to an estimated additional cancer risk of 0.05%. CONCLUSION: A computed tomography scan after minor head injury in pediatric patients did not show clinically relevant abnormalities that could lead to neurosurgical indications. Patients who fell more than 1.0 m were more likely to have changes in imaging tests, although these changes did not require neurosurgical intervention; therefore, the use of computed tomography scans may be questioned in this group. The results support the trend of more careful indications for cranial computed tomography scans for children with minor head trauma.

Primary hypogammaglobulinemia: The impact of early diagnosis in lung complications / Hipogamaglobulinemia primária: o impacto do diagnóstico precoce nas complicações pulmonares

Summary Objective: To describe clinical features, tomographic findings and pulmonary function in pediatric patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia (PH). Method: A retrospective cohort study of children with PH who received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and prophylactic antibiotics between 2005 and 2010. Epidemiological and clinical features, computed tomography (CT) findings, and spirometric data were compared, assuming a 5% significance level. Results: We evaluated 30 patients with PH. After the start of IVIG replacement, there was a decline in the frequency of pneumonia (p<0.001). The 11 patients with bronchiectasis in their first CT scan were older at diagnosis (p=0.001) and had greater diagnostic delay (p=0.001) compared to patients without bronchiectasis. At the end of the study, 18 patients had bronchiectasis and 27 also had other lung disorders, alone or in combination. The Bhalla score was applied to the last CT scan of 16 patients, with a median score of 11 (range 7-21), with a positive correlation between the score and the number of pneumonias after the start of treatment (r=0.561; p=0.024). The score was also correlated with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) values in 13/16 patients, with negative correlation to FEV1 previously to bronchodilator (r=-0.778; p=0.002) and after bronchodilator (r =-0.837; p<0.001) and FVC (r=-0.773; p=0.002). Conclusion: Pulmonary complications were common in this cohort, despite the decrease in the frequency of pneumonia with treatment. Early investigation of patients with recurrent infections for primary immunodeficiencies can reduce the frequency of these complications. The monitoring of changes in spirometry may indicate the need to carry out radiological investigation.

Resumo Objetivo: descrever características clínicas, tomográficas e de função pulmonar em pacientes pediátricos com hipogamaglobulinemia primária (HP). Método: estudo de coorte retrospectivo de crianças com HP que recebiam gamaglobulina endovenosa (GEV) e antibiótico profilático entre 2005 e 2010. As características epidemiológicas, clínicas, os achados de tomografia e espirometria foram comparadas adotando níveis de significância de 5%. Resultados: foram avaliados 30 pacientes com HP. Após o início da reposição de GEV, houve redução da frequência de pneumonias (p<0,001). Os 11 pacientes que apresentavam bronquiectasias na primeira tomografia computadorizada (TC) eram mais velhos ao diagnóstico (p=0,001) e tiveram maior atraso no diagnóstico (p=0,001) quando comparados aos pacientes sem bronquiectasias. Ao final do estudo, 18 pacientes apresentavam bronquiectasias e 27/30 também apresentaram outras alterações pulmonares, isoladas ou concomitantes. O escore de Bhalla foi aplicado à última TC de 16/30 pacientes, com mediana do escore de 11 (variação 7-21), com correlação positiva entre o escore e o número de pneumonias após o início do tratamento (r=0,561; p=0,024). O escore foi ainda correlacionado com valores de volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) e capacidade vital forçada (CVF) obtidos por espirometria de 13/16 pacientes, com correlação negativa com VEF1 pré- (r=-0,778; p=0,002) e pós-broncodilatador (r=-0,837; p<0,001) e CVF (r=-0,773; p=0,002). Conclusão: complicações pulmonares foram frequentes nesta coorte, apesar da diminuição na frequência de pneumonias com o tratamento. A investigação precoce de pacientes com infecções de repetição para imunodeficiências primárias pode reduzir a frequência dessas complicações. A monitorização de alterações na espirometria pode indicar a necessidade de investigação radiológica.

Ultra-sonografia convencional e com Doppler colorido no diagnóstico de estenose da veia porta e da veia hepática em crianças submetidas a transplante hepático segmentar / Portal and hepatic venous stenoses after pediatric segmental liver transplantation: the role of real time and Doppler ultrasound

Estudo retrospectivo de parâmetros de ultra-sonografia com Doppler colorido (US-DC) para o diagnóstico de estenose da veia porta (VP) e veia hepática (VH) no transplante hepático reduzido em crianças. Casuística: 134 US-DC (48 pacientes) avaliando o calibre da VP na anastomose, a velocidade máxima nas anastomoses e nos segmentos pré-anastomoses da VP (VP1 e VP2) e VH (VH1 e VH2 respectivamente) e a relação entre as velocidades (VP1/VP2 e HV1/VH2). Diagnóstico de estenose da VP: calibre da anastomose < 3,3mm (sensibilidade/especificidade: 93 por cento/88,4 por cento); VP1 > 128cm/s (86 por cento/84 por cento),VP1/VP2 > 2,4 (79 por cento/86 por cento). Diagnóstico de estenose da VH: VH1 > 128cm/s (83 por cento/52 por cento); VH1/VH2 > 4 (83 por cento/84 por cento) / Prospective study of real time and Doppler ultrasound (CD-US) parameters of portal (PV) and hepatic vein (HV) stenoses after segmental liver transplantation in children. Casuistic: 134 CD-US (48 patients). Parameters: diameter at the PV anastomosis, velocities at the anastomosis (PV1 and HV1) and at the pre-anastomosis segments (PV2 and HV2) and the ratios PV1/PV2 and HV1/HV2. PV stenosis: diameter < 3.3 mm (sensitivity/ specificity: 93 per cent / 88 per cent), PV1 > 128 cm/s (86 per cent / 84 per cent) and PV1/PV2 > 2.4 (79 per cent / 86 per cent). HV stenosis: HV1 >128cm/s (83 per cent/52 per cent) and HV1/HV2 > 4.0 (83 per cent / 84 per cent)...

Métodos diagnósticos de doença renovascular: estudo piloto em crianças / Diagnostic methods in renovascular disease: pilot study in children

A doença renovascular é uma das causas mais comuns de hipertensäo arterial secundária em adultos e crianças. Nos últimos anos, tem havido grande interesse no diagnóstico precoce da estenose de arteria renal devido ao surgimento de novos testes diagnósticos no rastreamento da estenose e ao grande portencial de cura da hipertensäo renovascular a acurácia desses testes têm sido foco de grande controvérsia. O estudo objetivou avaliar o teste de captopril, o renograma com DTPA-99m Tc pré e pós-captopril e a ultra-sonografia renal com Doppler como instrumentos de triagem para a doença renovascular em crianças com hipertensäo arterial persistente. Neste estudo piloto, nove crianças com hipertensäo arterial persistente, sem etiologia definida, foram submetidas à investigaçäo diagnóstica com os mesmos testes acima referidos. Em três crianças, foram encontradas alteraçöes arteriográficas com doença renovascular. Embora com casuística pequena, os resultados do teste do captopril revelaram dois testes falso-negativos, dois falso-positivos, um verdadeiro-positivo e quatro verdadeiro-negativos. O renograma com DTPA-99m Tc pós-captopril mostrou três falso-negativos e seis verdadeiro-negativos. A ultra-sonografia renal com Doppler apresentou alto índice de falha técnica na metodologia direta para identificar a artéria renal principal com um resultado falso-negativo, dois verdadeiro-positivo e seis verdadeiro-negativos. A utilizaçäo do teste do captopril, do renograma do DTPA-99m Tc pré e pós captopril e da ultra-sonografia renal com Doppler näo constituiu teste diagnóstico de triagem para doença renovascular em crianças hipertensas.(au)

Calcification in primary lung non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Calcificacoes em linfomas sem tratamento previo ou apos quimioterapia sao extremamente raras, com apenas alguns casos descritos na literatura. Apresentamos um caso de uma paciente com linfoma nao-Hodgkin primario do pulmao apresentando calcificacoes antes do tratamento rotinerio.