Imaging findings in acute pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).

The two primary manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in children are acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia and multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). While most pediatric cases of acute COVID-19 disease are mild or asymptomatic, some children are at risk for developing severe pneumonia. In MIS-C, children present a few weeks after SARS-CoV-2 exposure with a febrile illness that can rapidly progress to shock and multiorgan dysfunction. In both diseases, the clinical and laboratory findings can be nonspecific and present a diagnostic challenge. Thoracic imaging is commonly obtained to assist with initial workup, assessment of disease progression, and guidance of therapy. This paper reviews the radiologic findings of acute COVID-19 pneumonia and MIS-C, highlights the key distinctions between the entities, and summarizes our understanding of the role of imaging in managing SARS-CoV-2-related illness in children.

Clinical, Laboratory and Radiographic Features Associated With Prolonged Hospitalization in Children With Complicated Appendicitis.

Objective: In children with appendicitis, rupture of the appendix is associated with a significant increase in morbidity. We sought to characterize the spectrum of illness in children with complicated appendicitis and to define those factors associated with a longer hospital stay. Study Design: We conducted a retrospective review of 132 children, 18 years of age or younger at a large urban teaching hospital in the Bronx, NY between October 2015 and April 2018 with an intraoperative diagnosis of perforated appendix. Clinical, laboratory and radiologic findings were reviewed, and the primary study outcome was length of stay (LOS) dichotomized at the median, which was 7 days. Statistical analyses were done to characterize morbidity and define variables predictive of longer stay. Results: Children in the longer LOS group experienced significantly more morbidity, including ICU stay, ileus, and need for multiple drainage procedures. A longer duration of symptoms prior to presentation was associated with a longer stay. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that the presence of abscess and presence of free fluid in the right upper quadrant (RUQ FF) on initial imaging and C-reactive protein (CRP) level >12 at admission, were independently associated with a longer stay. Conclusion: There is considerable variation in the morbidity of complicated appendicitis. The association between longer stay and the findings of abscess and RUQ FF on initial imaging along with an elevated CRP may provide a useful tool in identifying those children at risk for worse outcomes.

A comparison of pulmonary embolism in pediatric and adult patients with acute COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is associated with pulmonary embolism (PE) in adults. However, the rate of PE in pediatric patients with acute COVID-19 evaluated by CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: Determine PE rate in pediatric patients with acute COVID-19 and compare to adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of CTPA studies, performed between March 2020 and January 2021 on pediatric patients with acute COVID-19, but not MIS-C, was performed. CTPAs performed on an adult cohort of acute COVID-19 patients during April 2020 were reviewed for comparison. Pediatric and chest radiologists independently reviewed CTPAs of pediatric and adult patients, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 355 acute COVID-19 pediatric patients treated during the study period, 14 (16.6 ± 4.8y, median-18.5y, 64% female) underwent CTPA. Of the 1868 acute COVID-19 adults treated during two weeks in April 2020, 50 (57.2 ± 17.0y, median-57.0y, 42% female) underwent CTPA. The PE rate was 14% in the pediatric group (2 patients) and 18% in the adult group (9 patients) (p = 1.0). Both pediatric patients with PE were obese, over 18y, and had asthma, diabetes mellitus, or hypertension. No child<18y with acute COVID-19 had PE. In the adult cohort, higher alanine-aminotransferase and D-dimer levels were associated with PE (p = 0.04 and p = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSION: Despite similar PE rates in pediatric and adult patients, PE occurred in acute COVID-19 pediatric patients who were >18y, obese, and had at least 1 comorbidity. Children <18y with COVID-19 did not have PE.

Feasibility study of a novel portable digital radiography system modified for fluoroscopy in the neonatal intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: A portable radiographic system capable of fluoroscopic imaging in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) potentially benefits critically ill neonates by eliminating the need to transport them to a fluoroscopy suite. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a portable bedside fluoroscopy system in the NICU can deliver comparable image quality at a similar dose rate to a standard system in a fluoroscopy suite. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In phase A, 20 patients <3 years of age and scheduled to undergo upper gastrointestinal series (upper GI) or voiding cystourethrograms (VCUG) in the radiology fluoroscopy suite were recruited to evaluate a portable fluoroscopic unit. A modified portable radiographic system with a cassette-sized detector and an in-room fluoroscopy system were sequentially used in the same examination. Four radiologists compared the image quality of 20 images from each system using the Radlex score (1-4) for five image quality attributes. The radiation dose rates for the portable and in-suite systems were collected. In phase B, fluoroscopy studies were performed in 5 neonates in the NICU and compared to the 20 previous neonatal studies performed in the department. Clinical workflow, examination time, fluoroscopy time, scattered radiation dose and patient radiation dose were evaluated. RESULTS: In phase A, average dose rates for in-room and portable systems were equivalent, (0.322 mGy/min and 0.320 mGy/min, respectively). Reader-averaged Radlex scores for in-room and portable systems were statistically significantly greater (P<0.05) for all attributes on the portable system except for image contrast. In phase B, scattered radiation from the average fluoroscopy time (26 s) was equivalent to the scattered radiation of 2.6 portable neonatal chest radiographs. Procedure time and diagnostic quality were deemed equivalent. The average dose rate in the NICU with the portable system was 0.21 mGy/min compared to 0.29 mGy/min for the in-room system. CONCLUSION: The portable fluoroscopy unit is capable of providing comparable image quality at equivalent dose levels to an in-room system for neonates with minimal risks to the staff and other patients in the NICU.

Imaging Findings in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Associated With Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

BACKGROUND. A multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has recently been described. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the imaging findings of MIS-C associated with COVID-19. METHODS. Imaging studies and medical records of patients (age range, 0-20 years) admitted with MIS-C between April 22 and May 21, 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. Thoracic imaging studies were evaluated for parenchymal, mediastinal and hilar, and cardiovascular abnormalities. Abdominal imaging studies were evaluated for abnormalities of solid viscera, hollow viscera, and the peritoneum as well as the mesentery and retroperitoneum. Studies were reviewed independently by two radiologists, and disagreements were resolved by a third senior radiologist. RESULTS. Sixteen patients (10 male and six female patients; age range, 20 months-20 years) were included in this study. All 16 patients presented with fever. Other presenting signs and symptoms included the following: vomiting (12/16, 75%), abdominal pain (11/16, 69%), rash (10/16, 63%), conjunctivitis (8/16, 50%), diarrhea (7/16, 44%), headache (6/16, 38%), and sore throat (5/16, 31%). Shortness of breath and cough were each present in one patient. Chest radiography showed cardiomegaly (10/16, 63%), congestive heart failure or cardiogenic pulmonary edema (9/16, 56%), atelectasis (9/16, 56%), pleural effusions (7/16, 44%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (2/16, 13%), and pneumonia (1/16, 6%). Eight patients (50%) were evaluated for pulmonary embolism (PE) (six [75%] by CT angiography [CTA] and two [25%] by ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy). In two of the eight patients (25%), CTA showed a segmental PE. Abdominal imaging findings (ultrasound, CT, and radiography) included small-volume ascites (6/16, 38%), hepatomegaly (6/16, 38%), echogenic kidneys (5/16, 31%), bowel wall thickening (3/16, 19%), gallbladder wall thickening (3/16, 19%), mesenteric lymphadenopathy (2/16, 13%), splenomegaly (1/16, 6%), and bladder wall thickening (1/16, 6%). The frequencies of findings based on all the reviewed modalities were as follows: cardiomegaly (12/16, 75%), pleural effusion (10/16, 63%), and atelectasis (10/16, 63%). Absolute interobserver agreement was 0.69-1 for thoracic findings and 0.17-1 for abdominal findings. Fifteen patients (94%) were discharged from the hospital (length of hospital stay: range, 3-20 days), and one patient remained in the hospital at the end of the study period. There were no mortalities. CONCLUSION. MIS-C associated with COVID-19 is characterized predominantly by cardiovascular abnormalities, although solid visceral organ, gallbladder, and bowel abnormalities as well as ascites are also seen, reflecting a multisystemic inflammatory process. CLINICAL IMPACT. The constellation of imaging findings in the setting of COVID-19 may alert radiologists to the diagnosis of MIS-C before rapid deterioration of patients.

Pearls and Pitfalls in Imaging of Abusive Head Trauma.

Abusive head trauma (AHT) is the leading cause of fatal head injuries in infants. The mechanism of injury usually involves vigorous shaking of the infant, impact, or a combination of the 2. There are characteristic imaging findings of which the most common are subdural hemorrhages. Parenchymal injuries to the brain are common as well, including hypoxic ischemic injury, diffuse axonal injury, and cerebral contusions. Retinal hemorrhages are common with AHT and are best evaluated by fundoscopy, however, high grade retinal hemorrhages may be detected on cross-sectional imaging. Skull fractures are not specific to AHT but are present in third of the cases and tend to be complex in association with AHT. Injuries to the spine are more common than previously thought and typically involve soft tissues rather than bones, with the most common being ligamentous injuries in the craniocervical junction. In the setting of AHT, an affected infant would typically exhibit multiple findings. While CT of the head is the first modality of choice for assessment of an infant with AHT, magnetic resonance imaging examination of the brain and spine should follow due to its higher sensitivity for detection of these findings.

COVID-19 in pediatric patients: a case series from the Bronx, NY.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) primarily affects adults, with a lower incidence in children. OBJECTIVE: To report our experience with critically ill children with COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of children with COVID-19 who were admitted Feb. 25 to May 1, 2020. We reviewed patient demographics, symptoms, comorbidities, requirement for respiratory support, evidence of acute myocardial injury, and chest radiographs. RESULTS: The study included 19 children and adolescents (ages 2 months to 18 years, median 8 years; 10 males, 9 females; 18 COVID-19-positive, 1 COVID-19-negative with positive exposure). Presenting symptoms included fever (89%), cough (68%), respiratory distress (68%) and vomiting/diarrhea (47%). Comorbidities were present in 12 (63%). Fourteen required intensive care; eight required intubation. Two children died. Five patients developed acute myocarditis (median age 7 years); in all five, chest radiographs were notable for cardiomegaly and pulmonary congestion or interstitial edema. Of these five, one (age 18 years), who had underlying hypertension and obesity, developed multifocal pneumonia and renal failure. The other four were previously healthy; three (ages 5 years, 7 years, 8 years) were subsequently diagnosed with multisystemic inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C); one developed pulmonary opacities consistent with adult respiratory distress syndrome, three (60%) had no parenchymal pulmonary opacities. Fourteen patients (median 13 years), most with comorbidities, had no acute myocardial injury. Chest radiographs in 13 (93%) demonstrated parenchymal lung disease with a predominant perihilar and basilar distribution. CONCLUSION: Myocarditis without pulmonary disease occurred in children in their first decade as a component of MIS-C, a newly described syndrome of multisystemic inflammation requiring further investigation. Pulmonary disease dominated the radiographic features of COVID-19-positive adolescents in their second decade in whom radiographs demonstrated predominantly perihilar and basilar distribution of lung opacities.

A primer for pediatric radiologists on infection control in an era of COVID-19.

Pediatric radiology departments across the globe face unique challenges in the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic that have not been addressed in professional guidelines. Providing a safe environment for personnel while continuing to deliver optimal care to patients is feasible when abiding by fundamental recommendations. In this article, we review current infection control practices across the multiple pediatric institutions represented on the Society for Pediatric Radiology (SPR) Quality and Safety committee. We discuss the routes of infectious transmission and appropriate transmission-based precautions, in addition to exploring strategies to optimize personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies. This work serves as a summary of current evidence-based recommendations for infection control, and current best practices specific to pediatric radiologists.

Cytotoxic lesion of the splenium of the corpus callosum in a patient with EVALI.

Since first recognized in July 2019, numerous cases of a lung illness associated with electronic-cigarette use or vaping particularly tetrahydrocannabinol in adolescents and adults have been reported. As of January 2020, the Center for Disease Control has reported over 2500 cases of electronic-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), including 60 deaths. Affected patients most commonly present with respiratory or gastrointestinal complaints although neurological symptoms including headache, confusion and lethargy have been reported. We present a new as yet unpublished finding in the brain of a previously healthy teenage boy with EVALI. Brain imaging may be warranted in this patient population.

Thoracic Imaging Findings of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated with COVID-19: What Radiologists Need to Know Now.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic is an ongoing public health emergency, with over 4 million confirmed cases worldwide. Due to the novel nature of this coronavirus and our evolving understanding of its pathophysiology, there is continued uncertainty surrounding diagnosis and management of COVID-19, especially in pediatric patients. In addition, a new febrile hyperinflammatory Kawasaki-like syndrome (also known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C) has emerged in pediatric patients with temporal association to COVID-19 infection. This review article aims to provide an up-to-date review of the clinical and imaging findings of pediatric MIS-C associated with COVID-19, compared with typical acute pediatric COVID-19 infection, with an emphasis on thoracic imaging findings. Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2020.

Gadolinium-based contrast agents - review of recent literature on magnetic resonance imaging signal intensity changes and tissue deposits, with emphasis on pediatric patients.

Gadolinium has been used as a base for contrast agents in MRI for the last three decades. Numerous studies over the last 4 years have reported increased signal intensity in deep brain nuclei in non-contrast MRI images following gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) administration. Pathology studies performed on adults and children, and rodent necropsy studies have also shown gadolinium deposition in brain and other tissues after GBCA administration. The purpose of this review was to summarize and discuss the knowledge gained from these reports and the relevance for imaging pediatric patients.

Survey of peer review programs among pediatric radiologists: report from the SPR Quality and Safety Committee.

During the last 15 years, peer review has been widely incorporated into radiology quality improvement programs. However, current implementations are variable and carry concerns, including subjectivity of numerical scores and a sense of merely satisfying regulatory requirements. The Society for Pediatric Radiology (SPR) Quality and Safety Committee sought to evaluate the state of peer review programs in pediatric radiology practices, including implementation methods, perceived functions, strengths and weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. We distributed an online 16-question survey to SPR members. Questions pertained to the type of peer review system, the use of numerical scores and comments, how feedback on discordances is given and received, and the use of peer learning conferences. We collected 219 responses (15% of survey invitations), 80% of which were from children's hospitals. Fifty percent of respondents said they use a picture archiving and communication system (PACS)-integrated peer review system. Comment-enhanced feedback for interpretive discordances was either very important or somewhat important to performance improvement in 86% of responses, compared to 48% with a similar perception of numerical scores. Sixty-eight percent of respondents said they either rarely or never check their numerical scores, and 82% either strongly or somewhat agreed that comments are more effective feedback than numerical scores. Ninety-three percent either strongly or somewhat agreed that peer learning conferences would be beneficial to their practice. Forty-eight percent thought that their current peer review system should be modified. Survey results demonstrate that peer review systems in pediatric radiology practices are implemented variably, and nearly half of respondents believe their systems should be modified. Most respondents prefer feedback in the form of comments and peer learning conferences, which are thought to be more beneficial for performance improvement than numerical scores.

Imaging findings of iatrogenic pharyngeal and esophageal injuries in neonates.

Iatrogenic injuries to the upper gastrointestinal tract in neonates are rare but may lead to significant morbidity and mortality if undiagnosed. The clinical presentation of such injuries is usually nonspecific and symptoms may be overlooked, particularly in sick preterm neonates. Therefore, it is important to recognize the findings on plain chest radiographs obtained regularly in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) on intubated patients. The purpose of this pictorial essay is to describe the imaging findings of various iatrogenic injuries to the pharynx and esophagus in the neonatal period in a cohort of seven cases.

Discrepancies in Radiograph Interpretation Between Pediatric Radiologists and Pediatric Intensivists in the Pediatric or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

BACKGROUND: In pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), patient management decisions are sometimes based on preliminary interpretations of radiographs by pediatric intensivists (PIs) before a formal interpretation by a pediatric radiologist (PR). OBJECTIVE: To quantify and classify discrepancies in radiographic interpretation between PRs and PIs in the PICU and NICU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This institutional review board-approved multi-institutional prospective study included three PRs and PIs at two PICUs and three NICUs. Interpretations of chest and abdominal radiographs by PIs and PRs were recorded on online forms and compared. Discrepancies in interpretations were classified as "miss," "misinterpretation," or "overcall." The discrepancies were also categorized as "actionable" or "nonactionable" based on extrapolation of the ACR actionable reporting work group's list of actionable findings. RESULTS: In 960 radiographic interpretations, the total, nonactionable, and actionable discrepancy rates between PRs and PIs were 34.7%, 26.8%, and 7.9%, respectively. The most common actionable discrepancies were line or tube positions and identification and interpretation of parenchymal opacities in the lungs. Identification of air leaks in the PICU and differentiation of normal from abnormal bowel gas patterns in the NICU followed in frequency. Air leaks accounted for 1% of total discrepancies and 11% of actionable discrepancies. Most discrepancies were nonactionable and included retrocardiac atelectasis and mischaracterization of neonatal lung disease in the PICU and NICU, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although the total discrepancy rate was high, most discrepancies were nonactionable. Actionable discrepancies were predominantly due to line and tube position, which should be an area of focused education.

Imaging findings in systemic childhood diseases presenting with dermatologic manifestations.

PURPOSE: Many childhood diseases often present with skin abnormalities with which radiologists are largely unfamiliar. Knowledge of associated dermatologic manifestations may aid the radiologist in confirming the diagnosis and recommending targeted imaging of affected organs. METHODS: We review the imaging findings in childhood diseases associated with dermatologic manifestations. FINDINGS: Diseases include dermatologic findings which herald underlying malignancy (Neuroblastoma, leukemia/lymphoma, Langerhans cell histiocytosis),are associated with risk of malignancy (Epidermolysis Bullosa, basal cell nevus syndrome, Cowden's syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis),or indicate a systemic inflammatory/immune disorder (Kawasaki's disease, Henoch Schonlein Purpura, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, dermatomyositis and immune thrombocytopenic purpura). CONCLUSION: Familiarity with pertinent findings in childhood diseases presenting with dermatologic manifestations in childhood diseases aids the radiologist in confirming the diagnosis and guiding imaging workup.