Complicated Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

We present a case of Henoch Schonlein pupura in a 6-year-old boy demonstrating some of the diagnostic pitfalls, complications and management challenges of this common paediatric condition.

Perianal disease in pediatric Crohn disease: a review of MRI findings.

Perianal complications of Crohn disease are a common occurrence in children and can result in significant morbidity when not accurately characterized prior to surgical intervention. MRI is an excellent imaging modality for the evaluation of perianal inflammatory bowel disease - allowing characterization and detailed description of perianal fistulas. MRI has many advantages over other imaging modalities for the pediatric patient. Radiologists will benefit from a sophisticated understanding of perianal anatomy, the classification of perianal fistulas, the advantages MRI offers in characterization of perianal fistulas as well as the common and incidental findings that are important in the MRI evaluation of perianal inflammatory bowel disease in children. Perianal fistulas are found at a high rate in pediatric referrals and are more commonly found in male patients.

Ganglion cysts in the paediatric wrist: magnetic resonance imaging findings.

BACKGROUND: The majority of published literature on ganglion cysts in children has been from a surgical perspective, with no dedicated radiologic study yet performed. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to assess the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging appearance of ganglion cysts in a series of paediatric MR wrist examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-seven consecutive paediatric MR wrist examinations were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of ganglion cysts. Only those studies with wrist ganglia were included. Cysts were assessed for location, size, internal characteristics and secondary effect(s). RESULTS: Forty-one ganglion cysts (2-32 mm in size) were seen in 35/97 (36%) patients (24 female, 11 male), mean age: 13 years 11 months (range: 6 years 3 months-18 years). The majority were palmar (63.4%) with the remainder dorsal. Of the cysts, 43.9% were related to a wrist ligament(s), 36.6% to a joint and 17.1% to the triangular fibrocartilage complex. Of the patients, 91.4% had wrist symptoms: pain (n=29, 82.9%), swelling (n=7, 20%) and/or palpable mass (n=4, 11.4%); 71.4% patients had significant additional wrist abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Ganglion cysts were frequently found in children referred for wrist MRI.

Assessment of the Pediatric Foot Mass.

Masses in the pediatric foot are relatively uncommon and can present a diagnostic challenge. The literature lacks a comprehensive overview of these types of lesions. Most are benign soft-tissue lesions that can be diagnosed on the basis of history and physical examination. However, some rare malignant neoplasms can mimic benign masses. It is imperative to recognize these lesions because the consequences of a delayed or missed diagnosis can be substantial. A thorough history and physical examination of all pediatric patients with foot lesions are crucial to ensure that any lesion not readily identified as benign is appropriately managed.

Incidence of clinically silent malrotation detected on barium swallow examination in children.

INTRODUCTION: Duodenojejunal flexure (DJF) orientation is often examined routinely during contrast swallow studies, including those performed for purely oesophageal queries. We examine the radiation burden and the incidence of malrotation in patients undergoing contrast swallow, without clinical suspicion for malrotation. METHODS: Two hundred eighteen consecutive contrast swallow studies were reviewed. Patients whose history may potentially suggest malrotation were identified (n = 90), and remaining children were grouped based on whether DJF was examined (Group 1; n = 88) or not (Group 2; n = 40). Data extracted include demographics, radiographic parameters (dosage, screening time, number of images obtained) and examination findings. Outcome measures comprised: (i) prevalence of clinically incidental malrotation; and (ii) influence of additional evaluation of DJF on patient dosage (mean ± SEM). RESULTS: Malrotation was identified in 2 of 90 patients (2.2%) examined with clinical indications for possible malrotation, but none in Group 1 (13% already had normal DJF confirmed on previous examinations). Groups 1 and 2 were comparable with respect to age and gender (P = ns). Additional evaluation of DJF (Group 1) meant that 54% more images were acquired (48.5 ± 2.9 vs. 31.4 ± 3.4 images in group 2; P = 0.0002) and 24.9% increased screening time (130.8 ± 9.3 vs. 104.7 ± 13.0 seconds in group 2; P = 0.089), resulting in 32.6% increased patient dosage (1.36 ± 0.21 vs. 1.02 ± 0.16 microGym(2) /kg in group 2; P = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the increased radiation exposures involved with routine screening for DJF position in those patients without clinical suspicion of malrotation, and raises questions about the validity of this practice; however, further research is needed.

Role of high resolution ultrasound in parotid lesions in children.

PURPOSE: A pictorial review of the spectrum of sonographic abnormalities of the parotid gland in children is presented. METHODS: Two pediatric radiologists performed retrospective review of medical records and imaging findings of all parotid ultrasounds performed in 298 children in the age range of 24 days to 16 years, over a five-year period. RESULTS: The lesions varied from diffuse glandular abnormalities to discrete solid and cystic lesions. Of the 298 studies reviewed, 148 (49.6%) were normal results, while 150 (50.4%) had abnormalities of parotid gland identified at ultrasonography. These included acute parotitis in 54 (36%) cases, recurrent parotitis in 12 (8%), and intra-parotid abscess in 12 (8%) cases. Among the tumors, haemangioma was the commonest, identified in 16 (10.6%) cases, followed by lymphatic malformation in 3 (2%), Hodgkin's disease 2 (1.3%) and pleomorphic adenoma (1 case). Sialadenosis was identified in 4 (2.6%) cases. Abnormality of the superficial soft tissues was also seen in 25 cases. 12 cases had a lymphatic malformation of the neck, involving the parotid, while 11 cases had a vascular lesion of the cheek, but not involving the parotids directly. CONCLUSION: High resolution ultrasound remains the first-line imaging modality for evaluation of the parotid gland. It is sensitive in detection of salivary gland abnormalities.

Acute contrast reaction management by radiologists: a local audit study.

Consultant radiologists and trainees must possess knowledge of optimal acute management of anaphylactic/anaphylactoid contrast reactions because patient survival depends upon prompt initial management. The aim of the present study is to assess the knowledge of first-line management of these reactions among radiologists. Within one working day, and without prior knowledge, radiology consultants and trainees within four teaching hospitals in a major Australian capital city were asked to complete a confidential questionnaire regarding acute resuscitation management. Scenarios were presented of an adult who developed life-threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis immediately after intravenous contrast administration, ventricular fibrillation and profound bradycardia. Questions were asked with regards to adrenaline, corticosteroid, antihistamines, intravenous volume expansion, cardio-pulmonary rescuscitation and knowledge of the emergency telephone number. Sites were assessed for presence of an anaphylaxis management chart and also when each participant last completed a resuscitation course. Forty-two participants were recruited. Overall, 53% of questions were answered correctly. Only 43% knew the adrenaline dose and if an incorrect dose was administered it was more likely to be an overdose. Notable inadequacies were also discovered with corticosteroid, atropine, antihistamine doses and intravenous fluid use. Only 26% had completed a resuscitation course in the past 2 years. Forty-five percent knew the emergency telephone number and 55% of rooms using intravenous contrast contained an immediately visible chart for contrast reaction management. Radiologist and trainee knowledge of immediate life-threatening contrast reaction management is deficient. Severe contrast reactions are uncommon with today's use of non-ionic contrast, but they still occur. Experience in the management of anaphylaxis can only come from regular, compulsory training.