ABSTRACT
The investigation of hepatobiliary tumors, in the pediatric population, usually begins with an ultrasonographic (US) examination. It is readily available without ionizing radiation and does not need sedation. Therefore US is an outstanding imaging modality for screening and follow-up. Doppler and color Doppler interrogation are part of the examination to assess vascularity of the lesions and vascular anatomy. Magnetic resonance imaging is a comprehensive imaging modality with multiplanar capability to assess the liver parenchyma, gallbladder, and biliary tree and is free of ionizing radiation. This article highlights the current status of imaging of the most common hepatobiliary tumors in children.
Subject(s)
Biliary Tract Diseases/diagnosis , Diagnostic Imaging/methods , Liver Diseases/diagnosis , Biliary Tract/diagnostic imaging , Biliary Tract/pathology , Biliary Tract Neoplasms/diagnosis , Child , Humans , Infant , Liver/diagnostic imaging , Liver/pathology , Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a great modality for the assessment of the liver and biliary tree in the pediatric population. In this review, we illustrate and discuss MRI technique and a variety of congenital abnormalities and acquired conditions including infectious, inflammatory, metabolic, benign, and malignant processes. The role of magnetic resonance angiography and magnetic resonance venography is discussed in hepatic tumors and portal hypertension. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography protocol is also addressed. Although ultrasound remains a screening tool and computer tomography is readily available, MRI accurately depicts the pathology, leading to a better understanding of the disease process with optimal patient management and follow-up, without the use of ionizing radiation.
Subject(s)
Biliary Tract Diseases/diagnosis , Liver Diseases/diagnosis , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , MaleABSTRACT
Due to its superior tissue resolution, magnetic resonance imaging has become the modality of choice for assessing pathologies of soft tissues, joints, cartilage, and bone marrow. This is also true in the pediatric population. This article reviews magnetic resonance imaging appearances and techniques for a variety of congenital abnormalities and acquired conditions including posttraumatic, infectious, inflammatory, ischemic, metabolic, benign, and malignant processes.
Subject(s)
Bone Diseases/diagnosis , Hip Joint/pathology , Hip/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Musculoskeletal System/pathology , Pelvic Bones/pathology , Pelvis/pathology , Bone Marrow/pathology , Bone Neoplasms/diagnosis , Child , Child, Preschool , Connective Tissue Diseases/diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Fractures, Bone/diagnosis , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Infections/diagnosis , Musculoskeletal Development , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/diagnosisABSTRACT
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an excellent modality for the assessment of renal pathologies in children; its multiplanar capability and soft-tissue contrast resolution allows for exquisite demonstration of the renal anatomy and its abnormalities. In this article, we illustrate and discuss MRI techniques and findings of the most commonly seen renal anomalies, including congenital, inflammatory, neoplastic, posttransplant, and miscellaneous conditions.
Subject(s)
Fetal Diseases/diagnosis , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Urinary Tract/abnormalities , Urologic Diseases/diagnosis , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Urinary Tract/pathology , Urologic Diseases/congenitalABSTRACT
In children with low back pain (LBP), a specific cause is often identified. LBP has a relatively high prevalence during school years. However, only a minority of the children suffering from LBP seek medical attention. Protracted back pain in childhood is a serious condition that should be thoroughly investigated. This article is a systematic review of the intrinsic causes of LBP. Imaging modalities are discussed, with emphasis on magnetic resonance imaging. We have divided the intrinsic causes of LBP into four main groups: mechanical, developmental, infectious/inflammatory, and neoplastic. Disk protrusion is prevalent in young athletes. Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are the most common causes of chronic LBP in children. Thoracic or thoracolumbar Scheuermann disease causes kyphosis while a lumbar localization is more painful. Childhood diskitis is associated with fever and leukocytosis. Spinal inflammatory arthritides in children include juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, the juvenile spondyloarthropathies, and SAPHO syndrome, where spine as well as sacroiliac joint changes may be seen. Cysts, tumors, tumor-like lesions, and metastases are infrequent causes of back pain in children. Several of these conditions are described and illustrated in this review of LBP in children and adolescents.
Subject(s)
Diagnostic Imaging , Low Back Pain/diagnosis , Low Back Pain/etiology , Adolescent , Child , HumansABSTRACT
Magnetic resonance imaging has the advantages of multiplanar capability and high degree of tissue differentiation. It is useful for assessing the extent of soft-tissue abnormalities, such as vascular malformations, inflammatory and infectious processes, muscle disorders, and limb hypertrophy. Magnetic resonance imaging is sensitive to the presence of water and edema and is a good indicator for early diagnosis of inflammation and its level of activity. Fat-saturation techniques, including T2-weighted sequences and inversion recovery imaging, optimize diagnostic accuracy. T1-weighted images are good at defining the distribution and proportion of fat in the body, so they are useful in evaluating syndromes of the limbs, including vascular malformations, as well as lipoatrophy-lipodystrophy conditions. Magnetic resonance imaging provides guidance for efficient tissue biopsy. It allows comprehensive pretherapeutic assessment of soft-tissue vascular anomalies. It constitutes a good modality for following up the natural history of soft-tissue disorders during childhood.
