Pediatric chest wall masses: spectrum of benign findings on ultrasound.

A palpable finding along the chest wall is a frequent indication for pediatric US. Accurate identification of benign lesions can reassure families and appropriately triage children who need follow-up, cross-sectional imaging, or biopsy. In this pictorial essay, we review chest wall anatomy, illustrate US techniques and discuss key US imaging features of common benign lesions and normal variants.

MRI findings in pediatric patients with scurvy.

In modern times scurvy is a rarely encountered disease caused by ascorbic acid (vitamin C) deficiency. However, sporadic cases of scurvy persist, particularly within the pediatric population. Recent individual case reports highlight an increased incidence of scurvy among patients with autism or developmental delay, with isolated case reports detailing the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of scurvy in these pediatric populations. We present the MRI findings of scurvy in four patients with autism or developmental delay, and review the literature on MRI findings in pediatric patients with scurvy. Despite its rarity, the radiologist must consider scurvy in a pediatric patient with a restricted diet presenting with arthralgia or myalgia.

Imaging features, classification and clinical features of intrahepatic congenital portosystemic shunts.

Congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS) are a rare developmental anomaly diverting blood flow from the portal venous system and the liver to the systemic venous system. This case series examines the sonographic imaging findings, shunt classification, ultrasound shunt ratios, and outcomes in nine children (5 females, 4 males) admitted to our institution between 2015 and 2022 were included in this study. The shunts were initially categorized by the Parks classification and were followed by serial ultrasounds. Clinical presentation, clinical course, laboratory data, shunt ratios, and time to shunt closure were all followed on subsequent ultrasounds. The most common type of CPPS was the Type 3 shunt. In cases where shunt ratios were measured, the shunt ratio gradually decreased in tandem with decreasing ammonia levels until spontaneous closure was achieved. Predictors of lack of shunt closure included high shunt ratios and Type 4 shunts. Patients with CPPS can be followed with the shunt ratio calculation obtained from sonographic imaging, which may correlate to ammonia levels and indicate risk of hepatic encephalopathy as well as predict speed and timing of closure.

Parsonage-turner syndrome associated with SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) infection.

Parsonage-Turner Syndrome (PTS), also known as idiopathic brachial plexopathy or neuralgic amyotrophy, is an uncommon condition characterized by acute onset of shoulder pain, most commonly unilateral, which may progress to neurologic deficits such as weakness and paresthesias (Feinberg and Radecki, 2010 [1]). Although the etiology and pathophysiology of PTS remains unclear, the syndrome has been reported in the postoperative, postinfectious, and post-vaccination settings, with recent viral illness reported as the most common associated risk factor (Beghi et al., 1985 [2]). Various viral, bacterial, and fungal infections have been reported to precede PTS, however, currently there are no reported cases of PTS in the setting of recent infection with SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19). We present a case of a 17 year old female patient with no significant past medical or surgical history who presented with several weeks of severe joint pain in the setting of a recent viral illness (SARS-CoV2, COVID-19). MRI of the left shoulder showed uniform increased T2 signal of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, teres major, and trapezius muscles, consistent with PTS. Bone marrow biopsy results excluded malignancy and hypereosinophilic syndrome as other possible etiologies. Additional rheumatologic work-up was also negative, suggesting the etiology of PTS in this patient to be related to recent infection with SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19). Radiologists should be aware of this possible etiology of shoulder pain as the number of cases of SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) continues to rise worldwide.

Rudhe syndrome: reversible right middle lobe emphysema in infants with left-to-right shunts--an historical review.

In 1971, the Swedish radiologist Ulf Rudhe wrote a provocative paper on right middle lobe emphysema in infants with left-to-right shunts in which he suggested cardiac surgery rather than lung resection. At the time, this was counter to accepted medical practice. Earlier diagnosis and better medical management of ventricular septal defect in infants has proved Rudhe correct. However, two current cases of large left-to-right shunts in infants with emphysema of the right middle lobe prompt this historical review of what seemed a closed-episode in pediatric cardiac surgery.