ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To analyze hepatic enhancement by using Smart Prep protocols appropriate for children of different weight groups and 2:1 pitch helical CT imaging as the investigative tools. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A group of 55 children ranging in weight between 20 and 180 lbs underwent 67 contrast-enhanced abdominal helical CT examinations using Smart Prep (GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, Wisc.). Of these studies, 21 (31 %) were excluded because of failure to follow the prescribed Smart Prep protocols. Smart Prep protocols were established for nine different weight groups. Scan delay, aorta and liver time to peak, and liver enhancement over baseline were recorded. RESULTS: Optimal abdominal CT studies with adequate contrast enhancement of hepatic and portal veins were obtained in 46 patients. There was no significant difference in the time between peak aortic and the liver enhancement among different weight groups (mean time 12.0 +/- 7.1 s for all children). However, the mean hepatic enhancement over baseline in children weighing < 30 lbs was below 50 Hounsfield units (HU) compared to the rest of the children who had mean hepatic enhancement of > 50 HU. CONCLUSION: Two-thirds of the Smart Prep protocols were successfully implemented, and all of these resulted in good contrast enhancement of hepatic and portal veins. Optimal mean liver enhancement (> 50 HU) was seen in children >/= 30 lbs. Children < 30 lbs had mean liver enhancement of 33 HU +/- 7.2 above the baseline likely caused by contrast dose.
Subject(s)
Contrast Media , Image Enhancement/methods , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods , Liver/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Adolescent , Aortography , Body Weight , Child , Child, Preschool , Contrast Media/administration & dosage , Hepatic Veins/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Infant , Infusions, Intravenous , Portal Vein/diagnostic imaging , Prospective Studies , Radiography, Abdominal , Time FactorsABSTRACT
We report a case of a newborn female with an unusual suprasternal simple cystic mass found to be a dermoid cyst. Dermoid cysts of the head and neck are rare lesions, but a midline location is characteristic for these congenital masses. A dermoid cyst should be high on the list of differential diagnoses given a unilocular midline cyst in a neonate even if no fat elements are demonstrated on imaging studies.
Subject(s)
Dermoid Cyst/congenital , Head and Neck Neoplasms/congenital , Dermoid Cyst/diagnostic imaging , Dermoid Cyst/pathology , Female , Head and Neck Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology , Humans , Infant, Newborn , RadiographyABSTRACT
It is estimated that 5% of patients with deep vein thrombosis and 50% of those with recurrent thrombosis have an inherited abnormality of coagulation, most commonly deficiency of protein C, protein S or antithrombin III. These disorders should be suspected when venous thrombosis occurs in a young person, if there is a family history of thrombosis, if thrombosis occurs at an unusual site or if there is recurrent thrombosis with no predisposing factors. Affected patients are treated with lifelong anticoagulation therapy. Thromboembolism and its sequelae often produce abnormal findings on radiologic examinations, and therefore the radiologist who is familiar with these abnormalities is in a position to be the first to suggest the diagnosis.
