Consensus Minimum MRI Protocol for the Child With Acute Recurrent or Chronic Pancreatitis.

Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis and follow-up of children with acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP). Consensus is lacking for a minimum MRI protocol for the child with known or suspected ARP or CP. Lack of standardization contributes to variable diagnostic performance and hampers application of uniform interpretive criteria for clinical diagnosis and multicenter research studies. We convened a working group to achieve consensus for a minimum MRI protocol for children with suspected ARP or CP. The group included eight pediatric radiologists experienced in interpreting MRI for pediatric pancreatitis and one medical pancreatologist and functioned from November 2022 to March 2023. Existing clinical protocols were summarized across sites represented by group members, and commonly used sequences guided the group's discussion. The final consensus minimum MRI protocol includes five noncontrast sequences and two postcontrast sequences (which are required only in select clinical scenarios). The working group also provides recommended acquisition parameters, sequence-specific technical suggestions, and general recommendations for optimal imaging technique. We recommend that all sites imaging children with ARP and CP for clinical care, and particularly those engaged in cooperative group trials for pancreatitis, ensure that their local protocol includes these minimum sequences.

Preoperative n-BCA embolization in the resection of submandibular lymphatic malformations refractory to sclerotherapy treatment: A pilot case series.

OBJECTIVE: Lymphatic malformations in the submandibular neck pose unique challenges to treatment that elevate their risk of recurrence. This case series provides a review of five patients, previously treated with sclerotherapy or with a history of multiple infections, who were treated in a novel fashion: single-stage resection using preoperative n-butyl cyanoacrylate (n-BCA) glue embolization. METHODS: We performed a retrospective medical record review of five patients who underwent single-stage n-BCA embolization by Interventional Radiology followed by surgical resection by Otolaryngology, including a review of their symptoms, previous treatments, and post-treatment surveillance, with follow-up ranging from 4 to 24 months after the treatment of interest. RESULTS: All study subjects had unremarkable perioperative courses, and four patients did not demonstrate any evidence of disease recurrence or persistence during the follow-up period. One patient was found to have a small area of persistent disease on post-treatment imaging, but has remained symptom free. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of submandibular lymphatic malformations with n-BCA embolization followed by surgical resection can be performed in a single stage. This case series demonstrates that this approach can yield durable relief of symptoms, even in patients whose lesions were refractory to previous treatments.

Iatrogenic vascular trauma and complications of vascular access in children.

Vascular access is frequently a critical component of the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures required to manage childhood illnesses, including many emergent conditions and critical illnesses. Vascular access in the pediatric population presents unique challenges, and many clinical and technical factors must be considered to avoid complications that can occur with vascular access procedures. This article reviews various aspects of vascular access and associated iatrogenic trauma in children, including risk factors, management of complications, and preventive measures to avoid complications. It is only with a comprehensive understanding of the topic that vascular access in children can be performed safely, effectively, and efficiently.

Complications of percutaneous gastrostomy and gastrojejunostomy tubes in children.

Percutaneous feeding tubes are generally considered a safe option for enteral feeding and are widely used in children who require long-term nutritional support. However, complications are not infrequent and can range from bothersome to life-threatening. Radiologists should be familiar with the imaging appearances of potential complications for optimal patient care. In this review, we discuss radiologic appearances of common complications and less frequent but serious complications related to percutaneous feeding tubes. Additionally, as fluoroscopic feeding tube evaluation is often requested as the initial imaging study, we also discuss the fluoroscopic appearances of some uncommon complications.

Focal Benign Disorders of the Pediatric Mandible With Radiologic-Histopathologic Correlation: Mandibular Development and Lucent Lesions.

OBJECTIVE: Lucent lesions of the pediatric mandible may present variably. Cysts, neoplasms, and developmental and inflammatory conditions have a host of possible causes. There is also substantial overlap in the imaging appearance of cysts and that of benign but locally aggressive tumors that need to undergo resection. CONCLUSION: The purpose of this article is to present common and uncommon lucent lesions of the mandible in children, with an emphasis on benign abnormalities. Discussions of imaging and histopathologic features are provided.

The fundamentals of fetal MR imaging: Part 1.

Congenital malformations detected in any fetal system using ultrasound may be further evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to improve counseling, to plan deliveries appropriately, and sometimes to enable fetal interventions. In this first half of a 2-part review, the history and safety factors regarding fetal MRI, as well as the practical aspects of image acquisition, are discussed. In addition, as central nervous system anomalies are most commonly and best evaluated using fetal MRI, challenging central nervous system anomalies, such as fetal ventriculomegaly, posterior anomalies, and neural tube defects, detected using prenatal ultrasound are also reviewed with a focus on the fundamental implications of these diagnoses.

The fundamentals of fetal magnetic resonance imaging: Part 2.

Careful assessment of fetal anatomy by a combination of ultrasound and fetal magnetic resonance imaging offers the clinical teams and counselors caring for the patient information that can be critical for the management of both the mother and the fetus. In the second half of this 2-part review, we focus on space-occupying lesions in the fetal body. Because developing fetal tissues are programmed to grow rapidly, mass lesions can have a substantial effect on the formation of normal adjacent organs. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia and lung masses, fetal teratoma, and intra-abdominal masses are discussed, with an emphasis on differential etiologies and on fundamental management considerations.

Imaging of postpartum complications: a multimodality review.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to review common and uncommon complications of postpartum and posttermination patients and their imaging findings. A variety of imaging modalities, including ultrasound, CT, MRI, and angiography, will be presented. Knowledge of the spectrum of normal and abnormal imaging findings as well as recognition of the common and uncommon complications are essential for accurate diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Obstetric complications are a common source of morbidity and mortality for women of reproductive age. Imaging, particularly with ultrasound, is often supplementary to the clinical history and examination in assessing and treating women during the postpartum period. Radiologists should be familiar with the common abnormalities that present in this period and their imaging findings, as well as the wide range of normal appearances the postpartum uterus can assume.