Non-traumatic spleen disorders in children. Assessment by imaging. / El bazo pediátrico no traumático. Valoración por imagen.

The spleen is considered a "forgotten organ" by most radiologists and paediatricians despite being affected in many clinical paediatric situations. While it is the organ most often affected in paediatric abdominal trauma, non-traumatic spleen disorders are less well known. The spleen is well visualised by any imaging technique: ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); the former is used most often in children. Using imaging techniques to determine the features of splenic anomalies, both congenital and acquired, enables a correct diagnostic approach, avoids unnecessary surgical procedures or biopsies, and helps the clinician to prescribe appropriate treatment. Our aim was to show the behaviour of the spleen in children using the different imaging techniques: its normal anatomy, the principal anatomical variants and the most common spleen disorder correlating with clinical symptoms, serology and histology.

Calyceal diverticula in children: imaging findings and presentations. / Divertículos caliciales en niños: hallazgos radiológicos y formas de presentación.

A calyceal diverticulum consists of a cystic eventration in the renal parenchyma that is lined with transitional cell epithelium with a narrow infundibular connection with the calyces or pelvis of the renal collector system; thus, the term pyelocalyceal diverticulum would be more accurate. Very rare in pediatric patients, calyceal diverticula can be symptomatic and require treatment. Calyceal diverticula are underdiagnosed because they can be mistaken for simple renal cysts on ultrasonography. To determine the approach to their follow-up and management, the diagnosis must be confirmed by excretory-phase computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This article aims to show the different ways that calyceal diverticula can present in pediatric patients; it emphasizes the ultrasonographic findings that enable the lesion to be suspected and the definitive findings that confirm the diagnosis on CT and MRI. It also discusses the differential diagnosis with other cystic kidney lesions and their treatment.