Pulmonary imaging in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a series of 140 Latin American children.

BACKGROUND: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which resulted in the worldwide coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020, has particularly affected Latin America. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to analyze the imaging findings of pulmonary COVID-19 in a large pediatric series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by either quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction from nasopharyngeal swabs or presence of circulating immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies and who underwent chest radiograph or CT or both were included in this retrospective multicenter study. Three pediatric radiologists independently reviewed radiographs and CTs to identify the presence, localization, distribution and extension of pulmonary lesions. RESULTS: We included 140 children (71 female; median age 6.3 years, interquartile range 1.6-12.1 years) in the study. Peribronchial thickening (93%), ground-glass opacities (79%) and vascular engorgement (63%) were the most frequent findings on 131 radiographs. Ground-glass opacities (91%), vascular engorgement (84%) and peribronchial thickening (72%) were the most frequent findings on 32 CTs. Peribronchial thickening (100%), ground-glass opacities (83%) and pulmonary vascular engorgement (79%) were common radiograph findings in asymptomatic children (n=25). Ground-glass opacity and consolidation were significantly higher in children who needed intensive care admission or died (92% and 48%), in contrast with children with a favorable outcome (71% and 24%, respectively; P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic children and those with mild symptoms of COVID-19 showed mainly peribronchial thickening, ground-glass opacities and pulmonary vascular engorgement on radiographs. Ground-glass opacity and consolidation were more common in children who required intensive care admission or died.

Perceived Impact of COVID-19 on Pediatric Radiology Departments Around the World: WFPI COVID-19 Task Force Survey Results from 6 Continents.

PURPOSE: To investigate how COVID-19 has impacted pediatric radiology practice around the world at the present time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was based on a survey conducted by the World Federation of Pediatric Imaging (WFPI) COVID-19 task force. Pediatric radiology representatives from countries around the world were identified and asked to complete an electronic survey consisting of 17 questions related to the impact of, concerns surrounding, and education related to COVID-19 on pediatric radiology. For each outcome variable, a pair of 2-way frequency tables was constructed: one against COVID-19 prevalence, and another against region. Tests of independence of the tables' row and column factors were performed based on Fisher's exact test and odds ratios (OR) were estimated via logistic regression models corresponding to these 2-way tables. RESULTS: The survey (response rate 87%, 72/83) comprised representatives from 71 countries and Hong Kong across 6 continents. 66/72 respondents (92%) indicated that COVID-19 has resulted in moderate (21/72, 29%), significant (36/72, 50%), or complete (9/72, 13%) change in radiology departments/practices in their countries. The two most frequent concerns over the next four months were personal/family health (54/72, 75%) and exposure (48/72, 67%). 79% (57/72) of respondents indicated some level of discomfort in identifying pediatric COVID-19 imaging manifestations. Changes in resident education were reported by 68/72 (94%) respondents, and 22/72 (31%) were concerned that the likelihood of current trainees pursuing a career in pediatric radiology will be impacted. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 has had a substantial negative impact on pediatric radiology practice around the world.

International Expert Consensus Statement on Chest Imaging in Pediatric COVID-19 Patient Management: Imaging Findings, Imaging Study Reporting, and Imaging Study Recommendations.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has quickly spread since it was first detected in December 2019 and has evolved into a global pandemic with over 1.7 million confirmed cases in over 200 countries around the world at the time this document is being prepared. Owing to the novel nature of the virus and the rapidly evolving understanding of the disease, there is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the diagnosis and management of COVID-19 pneumonia in pediatric patients. Chest imaging plays an important role in the evaluation of pediatric patients with COVID-19; however, there is currently little information available describing imaging manifestations of COVID-19 in pediatric patients and even less information discussing the utilization of imaging studies in pediatric patients. To specifically address these concerns, a group of international experts in pediatric thoracic imaging from five continents convened to create a consensus statement describing the imaging manifestations of COVID-19 in the pediatric population, discussing the potential utility of structured reporting during the COVID-19 pandemic, and generating consensus recommendations for utilization of chest radiographs and CT in the evaluation of pediatric patients with COVID-19. The results were compiled into two structured reporting algorithms (one for chest radiographs and one for chest CT) and eight consensus recommendations for the utilization of chest imaging in pediatric COVID-19 infection. © RSNA, 2020.

Tomographic findings in bronchial atresia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate computed tomography (CT) findings in 23 patients with bronchial atresia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CT images were reviewed by two radiologists who reached decisions by consensus. We included only patients who presented with abnormalities on CT and in whom the diagnosis had been confirmed by pathological examination of the surgical specimen (if the lesion was resected). The CT scans were assessed in order to identify the main findings and to map the distribution of the lesions (i.e., to determine whether the pulmonary involvement was unilateral or bilateral). RESULTS: The main CT finding was the combination of bronchocele and hyperinflation of the distal lung. That combination was observed in all of the patients. The lesions were unilateral in all 23 cases, being seen predominantly in the left upper lobe, followed by the right lower lobe, right upper lobe, middle lobe, and left lower lobe. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of bronchial atresia can be reliably made on the basis of a finding of bronchocele accompanied by hyperinflation of the adjacent lung parenchyma.

OBJETIVO: Analisar os achados na tomografia computadorizada (TC) de tórax de 23 pacientes com atresia brônquica. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: As imagens de TC foram avaliadas por dois observadores e os casos discordantes foram resolvidos por consenso. Os critérios de inclusão foram a presença de anormalidades na TC compatíveis com atresia brônquica e/ou diagnóstico confirmado por exame anatomopatológico das peças cirúrgicas para os pacientes submetidos a ressecção cirúrgica. As TCs foram avaliadas quanto aos principais achados de imagem, à distribuição das lesões, ao envolvimento pulmonar unilateral ou bilateral. RESULTADOS: Os principais achados na TC foram a presença de broncocele, hiperinsuflação do parênquima pulmonar ou ambos. A combinação desses achados foi encontrada em todos os pacientes. Em relação à distribuição, o envolvimento foi unilateral nos 23 casos. Quando se consideraram os lobos mais acometidos, o lobo superior esquerdo foi o mais acometido, seguido do lobo inferior direito, lobo superior direito, lobo médio e lobo inferior esquerdo. CONCLUSÃO: O diagnóstico de atresia brônquica pode ser feito em presença de broncocele associada com hiperinsuflação do parênquima pulmonar adjacente.