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BACKGROUND: The study of central nervous system (CNS) tumors is particularly relevant in the pediatric population because of their relatively high frequency in this demographic and the significant impact on disease- and treatment-related morbidity and mortality. While both morphological and non-morphological magnetic resonance imaging techniques can give important information concerning tumor characterization, grading, and patient prognosis, increasing evidence in recent years has highlighted the need for personalized treatment and the development of quantitative imaging parameters that can predict the nature of the lesion and its possible evolution. For this purpose, radiomics and the use of artificial intelligence software, aimed at obtaining valuable data from images beyond mere visual observation, are gaining increasing importance. This brief review illustrates the current state of the art of this new imaging approach and its contributions to understanding CNS tumors in children. DATA SOURCES: We searched the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using the following key search terms: ("radiomics" AND/OR "artificial intelligence") AND ("pediatric AND brain tumors"). Basic and clinical research literature related to the above key research terms, i.e., studies assessing the key factors, challenges, or problems of using radiomics and artificial intelligence in pediatric brain tumors management, was collected. RESULTS: A total of 63 articles were included. The included ones were published between 2008 and 2024. Central nervous tumors are crucial in pediatrics due to their high frequency and impact on disease and treatment. MRI serves as the cornerstone of neuroimaging, providing cellular, vascular, and functional information in addition to morphological features for brain malignancies. Radiomics can provide a quantitative approach to medical imaging analysis, aimed at increasing the information obtainable from the pixels/voxel grey-level values and their interrelationships. The "radiomic workflow" involves a series of iterative steps for reproducible and consistent extraction of imaging data. These steps include image acquisition for tumor segmentation, feature extraction, and feature selection. Finally, the selected features, via training predictive model (CNN), are used to test the final model. CONCLUSIONS: In the field of personalized medicine, the application of radiomics and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms brings up new and significant possibilities. Neuroimaging yields enormous amounts of data that are significantly more than what can be gained from visual studies that radiologists can undertake on their own. Thus, new partnerships with other specialized experts, such as big data analysts and AI specialists, are desperately needed. We believe that radiomics and AI algorithms have the potential to move beyond their restricted use in research to clinical applications in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of pediatric patients with brain tumors, despite the limitations set out.
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PURPOSE: To describe fetal brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings in a large series of monochorionic (MC) pregnancies complicated by Twin Anemia-Polycythemia Sequence (TAPS) prenatally diagnosed, so to characterize the potential intracranial complications associated with this condition, their frequency and potential treatment options. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of MC twin pregnancies complicated by TAPS and undergone fetal MRI in a single institution from 2006 to 2023. MRI control was performed and post-natal ultrasound (US) or MRI were available. RESULTS: 1250 MC pregnancies were evaluated in our institution. 50 pregnancies (4%) were diagnosed with TAPS, 29 underwent a fetal brain MRI. 13/29 pregnancies (44.8%) demonstrated brain findings at MRI in at least a twin. Neuroradiological findings were detected in 14/57 twins (24.6%). We detected four main categories of findings: hemorrhagic lesions, T2-weighted white-matter hyperintensities (WMH), brain edema-swelling and venous congestion. Nineteen findings were present in the anemic and three in the polycythemic twins, with a statistically significant ratio between the two groups (p-value = 0.01). Intrauterine MRI follow-up demonstrated the sequalae of hemorrhagic lesions. A complete regression of brain swelling, veins prominence and T2-WMHs was demonstrated after treatment. Postnatal imaging confirmed prenatal features. CONCLUSIONS: Our work demonstrates that TAPS-related MRI anomalies consisted in edematous/hemorrhagic lesions that occur mostly in anemic rather than in polycythemic twins. Fetoscopic laser surgery could have a potential decongestant role. Therefore, prenatal MRI may help in counselling and management in TAPS pregnancies, especially for the planning of therapy and the monitoring of its efficacy.
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Transfusão Feto-Fetal , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Humanos , Feminino , Gravidez , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética/métodos , Estudos Retrospectivos , Transfusão Feto-Fetal/diagnóstico por imagem , Transfusão Feto-Fetal/complicações , Adulto , Gravidez de Gêmeos , Diagnóstico Pré-Natal/métodos , Policitemia/diagnóstico por imagem , Anemia/diagnóstico por imagemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The prognostic relevance of fetal/early postnatal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (MRI) isolated "minor" lesions in congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is still unclear, because of the heterogeneity of previously reported case series. The aim of this study was to report the imaging and long-term clinical follow-up data on a relatively large cohort of infected fetuses. METHODS: Among 140 CMV-infected fetuses from a single-center 12-year-long fetal MRI database, cases that showed isolated "minor" lesions at MRI, mainly represented by polar temporal lesions, were selected. MRI features were described, and clinical follow-up information was collected through consultation of medical records and telephone interview to establish the auditory and neurological outcome of each patient. RESULTS: Thirty-six cases were included in the study. The frequency of "minor" lesions increased progressively with ongoing gestational age in cases who underwent serial MR examination; 31% of cases were symptomatic at birth for unilateral altered auditory brainstem response. At long-term clinical follow-up, performed in 35 patients at a mean age of 64.5 months (range: 25 to 138), 43% of patients were asymptomatic and 57% presented with mild/moderate disability including hearing loss (34%), unilateral in all cases but one (therefore classified as severe), and/or minor cognitive and behavioral disorders (49%). CONCLUSIONS: Descriptive analysis of the type and modality of occurrence of "minor" lesions suggests performing serial fetal/postnatal MR examinations not to miss later-onset lesions. Follow-up data from the present cohort, combined with maternal/fetal factors and serologic-laboratory parameters may contribute to improve prenatal and neonatal period counselling skills.
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Infecções por Citomegalovirus , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Humanos , Infecções por Citomegalovirus/diagnóstico por imagem , Infecções por Citomegalovirus/congênito , Infecções por Citomegalovirus/complicações , Feminino , Gravidez , Masculino , Lactente , Pré-Escolar , Seguimentos , Recém-Nascido , Criança , Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagem , Diagnóstico Pré-NatalRESUMO
Epidermoid cysts are infrequent, benign, slow-growing, space-occupying lesions that account for 0.5-1.8% of primary intracranial tumors. We report the case of a 17-month-old child who presented in 2015 for one episode of pallor associated with hypotonia. Epilepsy was excluded and MRI was recommended. The MRI was performed and there were no focal parenchymal lesions, but it showed an extra-axial ovoid lesion with imaging characteristics consistent with epidermoid cyst. Follow-up MRI at one year was performed and it showed minimal increased in dimensions of the cyst, without changes into the signal of the lesion. Another MRI was performed 7 years after and it showed complete resolution of the cyst. Six months afterwards, another MRI was performed and it confirmed the complete regression of the cyst, without any extra-axial masses reported. The patient did not present any neurological anomalies. No follow-up MRI was recommended afterwards. Spontaneous regression of epidermoid cyst in pediatric population is an extremely rare event, but it should be taken into account when the patient shows no symptoms. This is the third case of spontaneous regression of an epidermoid cyst reported in pediatric patients, and the first one in the temporal region. Careful follow-up and watchful waiting could be an option to surgical treatment in epidermoid cysts.
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Cisto Epidérmico , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Remissão Espontânea , Humanos , Cisto Epidérmico/cirurgia , Cisto Epidérmico/diagnóstico por imagem , Cisto Epidérmico/patologia , CriançaRESUMO
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1072256.].
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Over time, fetal MR neuro-imaging has undergone continuous improvement; presently, it plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis of an expanding array of complex neurological conditions. Within this pictorial essay, our focus will be exclusively directed towards those cutting-edge clinical applications, which currently yield valuable diagnostic insights on a single case basis. Specifically, the pictorial examples will center on some abnormal entities and their features at an earlier fetal stage.
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Feto , Diagnóstico Pré-Natal , Gravidez , Feminino , Humanos , Idade Gestacional , Diagnóstico Pré-Natal/métodos , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética/métodosRESUMO
PURPOSE: Morphometric studies on idiopathic Chiari malformation type 1 (CM1) pathogenesis have been mainly based on post-natal neuroimaging. Prenatal clues related to CM1 development are lacking. We present pre- and post-natal imaging time course in idiopathic CM1 and assess fetal skull and brain biometry to establish if clues about CM1 development are present at fetal age. METHODS: Multicenter databases were screened to retrieve intrauterine magnetic resonance (iuMR) of children presenting CM1 features at post-natal scan. Syndromes interfering with skull-brain growth were excluded. Twenty-two morphometric parameters were measured at fetal (average 24.4 weeks; range 21 to 32) and post-natal (average 15.4 months; range 1 to 45) age; matched controls were included. RESULTS: Among 7000 iuMR cases, post-natal scans were available for 925, with postnatal CM1 features reported in seven. None of the fetuses presented CM1 features. Tonsillar descent was clear at a later post-natal scan in all seven cases. Six fetal parameters resulted to be statistically different between CM1 and controls: basal angle (p = 0.006), clivo-supraoccipital angle (p = 0.044), clivus' length (p = 0.043), posterior cranial fossa (PCF) width (p = 0.009), PCF height (p = 0.045), and PCFw/BPDb (p = 0.013). Postnatally, only the clivus' length was significant between CM1 cases and controls. CONCLUSION: Pre- and post-natal CM1 cases did not share striking common features, making qualitative prenatal assessment not predictive; however, our preliminary results support the view that some of the pathogenetic basis of CM1 may be embedded to some extent already in intrauterine life.
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Malformação de Arnold-Chiari , Criança , Humanos , Malformação de Arnold-Chiari/diagnóstico por imagem , Malformação de Arnold-Chiari/patologia , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Encéfalo/patologia , Neuroimagem , Fossa Craniana Posterior/diagnóstico por imagem , Fossa Craniana Posterior/patologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Autosomal recessive cobblestone-like cortical malformation of the brain, with no eye or muscle involvement, has been reported in patients with biallelic mutations in ADGRG1 (formerly GPR56) and in other brain surface defects (eg, variants in COL3A1). We reported the intra-uterine brain MRI (iu-MRI), post-mortem MRI (pm-MRI), and neuropathology findings of a new ADGRG1 mutation in a fetus at early gestation. Imaging findings were compared with those of the sibling harboring the same mutation, to provide insights about the evolving morphology of such malformation. METHODS: A 21-week fetus underwent iu-MRI for a suspected cortical anomaly on ultrasound. After the MRI results, the termination of the pregnancy was carried out. A pm-MRI scan and autopsy were performed. A neuropathology-imaging correlation was achieved. The 5-year old sibling affected by developmental impairment also underwent a brain MRI. Both subjects underwent a genetic investigation. RESULTS: Two patterns of abnormality of the cerebral surface were identified on both fetal MRI: one at the vertex resembling a cobblestone-cortex due to neuronal overmigration into the subarchnoid space and the other in the occipital areas resembling polymicrogyria. These details closely matched the neuropathology findings. MRI findings of the sibling consisted of typical ADGRG1/GPR56-related brain findings showing a polymicrogyric-like cortex, also reported as bilateral frontal-parietal polymicrogyria. A flattened pons and small cerebellar vermis were present in both cases. Genetic testing demonstrated a novel homozygous variant c.1484T>C in the c gene in both cases. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide further evidence of the overlap of ADGRG1/GPR56-related brain dysgenesis with cobblestone-like cortical malformation of the brain.
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Malformações do Sistema Nervoso , Polimicrogiria , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Gravidez , Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagem , Encéfalo/patologia , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética/métodos , Mutação/genética , Polimicrogiria/patologia , Diagnóstico Pré-NatalRESUMO
Mitochondrial leukodystrophies constitute a group of different conditions presenting with a wide range of clinical presentation but with some shared neuroradiological features. Genetic defects in NUBPL have been recognized as cause of a pediatric onset mitochondrial leukodystrophy characterized by onset at the end of the first year of life with motor delay or regression and cerebellar signs, followed by progressive spasticity. Early magnetic resonance imagings (MRIs) show white matter abnormalities with predominant involvement of frontoparietal regions and corpus callosum. A striking cerebellar involvement is usually observed. Later MRIs show spontaneous improvement of white matter abnormalities but worsening of the cerebellar involvement evolving to global atrophy and progressive involvement of brainstem. After the 7 cases initially described, 11 more subjects were reported. Some of them were similar to patients from the original series while few others broadened the phenotypic spectrum. We performed a literature review and report on a new patient who further expand the spectrum of NUBPL-related leukodystrophy. With our study we confirm that the association of cerebral white matter and cerebellar cortex abnormalities is a feature commonly observed in early stages of the disease but beside the original and so far prevalent presentation, there are also uncommon phenotypes: clinical onset can be earlier and more severe than previously thought and signs of extraneurological involvement can be observed. Brain white matter can be diffusely abnormal without anteroposterior gradient, can progressively worsen, and cystic degeneration can be present. Thalami can be involved. Basal ganglia can also become involved during disease evolution.
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Leucodistrofia de Células Globoides , Substância Branca , Humanos , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Tronco Encefálico/patologia , Leucodistrofia de Células Globoides/diagnóstico , Substância Branca/diagnóstico por imagem , Substância Branca/patologia , Corpo Caloso/patologia , Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagem , Encéfalo/patologia , Proteínas Mitocondriais/genéticaRESUMO
Pontocerebellar-hypoplasia (PCH) related to TSEN54-gene mutation, a rare autosomal recessive disorder, can be associated with three different phenotypes: PCH2A, PCH4 and PCH5. Prenatal imaging features are very scant, in particular for PCH4 and PCH5. The aim of this letter is to illustrate key role of prenatal MR imaging in better evaluation of the cerebellar vermis-hemispheres and pons, which may lead to the differential diagnosis between three PCH TSEN54-related phenotypes already at mid-gestation based on the pattern of the degree of involvement of the vermis and the cerebellar cortex respectively.
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Doenças Cerebelares , Malformações do Sistema Nervoso , Atrofias Olivopontocerebelares , Gravidez , Feminino , Humanos , Cerebelo/diagnóstico por imagem , Cerebelo/anormalidades , Atrofias Olivopontocerebelares/diagnóstico , Atrofias Olivopontocerebelares/genética , Malformações do Sistema Nervoso/diagnóstico , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Endorribonucleases/genéticaRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: In a previous study of classifying fetuses with cortical formation abnormalities (CFA) with fetal MR, we noticed a cluster of cases with unilateral CFA and complete agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC). In this study, we provide a detailed morphological analysis of such fetuses using fetal MR to determine if there are indicators (such as the gender of the fetus) that could be used to delineate a genetic substrate of the phenotype in order to inform future studies. METHODS: We have studied 45 fetuses with the unilateral CFA/ACC phenotype and analysed through an expert consensus panel the location and fine detail of the CFA and the associated findings such as associated anomalies, head size, and sex of the fetus. RESULTS: The frontal lobe was significantly more frequently involved by CFA when compared with other lobes (p < 0.001) but no preference for the left or right hemisphere. CFA most often consisted of excessive/dysmorphic sulcation. The CFA/ACC phenotype was overwhelmingly more frequent in male fetuses (M:F 4.5:1-p < 0.0001). The most frequent associated findings were: ventriculomegaly (16/45 fetuses) and interhemispheric cysts (12/45 cases). CONCLUSIONS: This report highlights the specific phenotype of unilateral CFA/ACC that is much more common in male fetuses. This finding provides a starting point to study possible sex-linked genetic abnormalities that underpin the unilateral CFA/ACC phenotype. KEY POINTS: ⢠We collected fetuses with unilateral cortical formation abnormality and callosal agenesis. ⢠That distinctive neuroimaging phenotype has a strong male gender prevalence (over 80%). ⢠This observation forms the basis of studies about outcomes and genetic substrates.
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Corpo Caloso , Malformações do Sistema Nervoso , Masculino , Feminino , Gravidez , Humanos , Corpo Caloso/diagnóstico por imagem , Agenesia do Corpo Caloso/diagnóstico por imagem , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética/métodos , Estudos Retrospectivos , Feto/diagnóstico por imagem , Ultrassonografia Pré-Natal/métodosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Descriptions of electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns in Aicardi syndrome (AIC) have to date referred to small cohorts of up to six cases and indicated severe derangement of electrical activity in all cases. The present study was conducted to describe the long-term EEG evolution in a larger AIC cohort, followed for up to 23 years, and identify possible early predictors of the clinical and EEG outcomes. METHODS: In a retrospective study, two experienced clinical neurophysiologists systematically reviewed all EEG traces recorded in 12 AIC cases throughout their follow-up, from epilepsy onset to the present. Clinical outcome was assessed with standardized clinical outcome scales. RESULTS: Analysis of the data revealed two distinct AIC phenotypes. In addition to the "classical severe phenotype" already described in the literature, we identified a new "mild phenotype". The two phenotypes show completely different EEG features at onset of epilepsy and during its evolution, which correspond to different clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Data from our long-term EEG and clinical-neuroradiological study allowed us to describe two different phenotypes of AIC, with different imaging severity and, in particular, different EEG at onset, which tend to remain constant over time. SIGNIFICANCE: Together, these findings might help to predict long-term clinical outcomes.
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Síndrome de Aicardi , Epilepsia , Síndrome de Aicardi/diagnóstico por imagem , Eletroencefalografia , Epilepsia/genética , Humanos , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
Congenital infections represent a challenging and varied clinical scenario in which the brain is frequently involved. Therefore, fetal and neonatal neuro-imaging plays a pivotal role in reaching an accurate diagnosis and in predicting the clinical outcome. Congenital brain infections are characterized by various clinical manifestations, ranging from nearly asymptomatic diseases to syndromic disorders, often associated with severe neurological symptoms. Brain damage results from the complex interaction among the infectious agent, its specific cellular tropism, and the stage of development of the central nervous system at the time of the maternal infection. Therefore, neuroradiological findings vary widely and are the result of complex events. An early detection is essential to establishing a proper diagnosis and prognosis, and to guarantee an optimal and prompt therapeutic perinatal management. Recently, emerging infective agents (i.e., Zika virus and SARS-CoV2) have been related to possible pre- and perinatal brain damage, thus expanding the spectrum of congenital brain infections. The purpose of this pictorial review is to provide an overview of the current knowledge on fetal and neonatal brain neuroimaging patterns in congenital brain infections used in clinical practice.
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Introduction: X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is the most common inherited peroxisomal disorder caused by variants in the ABCD1 gene. The main phenotypes observed in men with X-ALD are primary adrenal insufficiency, adrenomyeloneuropathy, and cerebral ALD (cALD). Cerebral ALD consists of a demyelinating progressive cerebral white matter (WM) disease associated with rapid clinical decline and is fatal if left untreated. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the standard treatment for cALD as it stabilizes WM degeneration when performed early in the disease. For this reason, early diagnosis is crucial, and several countries have already implemented their newborn screening programs (NBS) with the assessment of C26:0-lysophosphatidylcholine (C26:0-LPC) values as screening for X-ALD. Methods: In June 2021, an Italian group in Lombardy launched a pilot study for the implementation of X-ALD in the Italian NBS program. A three-tiered approach was adopted, and it involved quantifying the values of C26:0-LPC and other metabolites in dried blood spots with FIA-MS/MS first, followed by the more specific ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) technique and, finally, the genetic confirmation via focused NGS. Discussion: Genetically confirmed patients are set to undergo a follow-up protocol and are periodically evaluated to promptly start a specific treatment if and when the first signs of brain damage appear, as suggested by international guidelines. A specific disease monitoring protocol has been created based on literature data and personal direct experience. Conclusion: The primary aim of this study was to develop a model able to improve the early diagnosis and subsequent follow-up and timely treatment of X-ALD. Ethics: The study was approved by the local ethics committee. The research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationship that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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Data about the neurological prognosis of isolated cerebellar hypoplasia in utero are scant and inconsistent. In this monocentric retrospective study, we describe the neurodevelopmental outcomes in a series of children with isolated cerebellar hypoplasia of presumably hemorrhagic origin prenatally detected with fetal magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all the pregnant women who were referred for a neurological consultation, diagnosed with fetal encephalic malformation/disruption between 2010 and 2020 in the Fetal Therapy Unit of our institution. Fetal MRI (fMRI) was performed in all the pregnancies. Fetuses with cerebellar hypoplasia presumably of hemorrhagic origin were selected for the study. Fetuses exposed to alcohol or with additional malformations in other cerebral or body areas were excluded. All the infants received the postpartum follow-up care adopted in our center, including post-natal MRI, serial neurological examinations, standardized neurodevelopmental tests, and regular parental interviews. Cognitive functions were tested with GRIFFITHS II, WPPSI-III, and WISC-IV according to the child's age. A total of 14 pregnant women out of 479 fetal consultations were eligible and included in the study group. In 57% of cases, the etiology of the hemorrhage was unknown. In 21% of cases, it was attributed to a blood transfusion, while in the remaining ones, it was attributed to maternal predisposing factors. Among the survivors, two infants were excluded for prematurity, and two were lost to follow-up. Ten patients were thus included in the study. Six patients had normal neurodevelopment and cognition, and three presented mild-moderate neurological signs, i.e., mild dyspraxia and visuoperceptual impairment. Only one child had a severe outcome, i.e., autism spectrum disorder. The cerebellum is particularly vulnerable to disruptions throughout its prolonged development. Extreme caution must be used in prenatal counseling considering that in the acute phase, lesion extension and vermis involvement can be overestimated with fMRI. In cases of uncertainty, performing an additional fMRI could be advisable after 4-8 weeks. However, in our series, infants with isolated cerebellar hypoplasia tended to have a favorable prognosis. Nevertheless, a long-term follow-up is needed and should include a postnatal brain MRI, serial neurological examinations, and neurodevelopmental tests at least up to school age.
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Transtorno do Espectro Autista , Lactente , Criança , Humanos , Feminino , Gravidez , Estudos Retrospectivos , Diagnóstico Pré-Natal/métodos , Cerebelo/diagnóstico por imagem , Cerebelo/anormalidades , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética/métodos , HemorragiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To the best of our knowledge, there have not been studies to address the issue of long-term follow-up of patients with prenatal diagnosis of isolated complete septum pellucidum agenesis (SPA). The aim of this study was to acquire information about the school-age outcome of such patients as a resource for counseling parents receiving this prenatal finding. METHODS: From a large fetal magnetic resonance (MR) database, we selected only those cases with isolated complete SPA as confirmed by two senior pediatric neuroradiologists in consensus; we then gathered information from the parents of those children who had reached the school age. RESULTS: None among the 12 cases (mean age at follow-up: 8.7 years, range: 6-13 year) of the resulting final cohort presented visual or stature deficits; only one required special teaching assistance in school. All other 11 children resulted without any notable academic issue. CONCLUSION: Our report may provide information of practical value about the school-age outcome of fetuses detected by prenatal MR imaging to carry isolated complete SPA.
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Septo Pelúcido , Ultrassonografia Pré-Natal , Criança , Feminino , Feto , Humanos , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética/métodos , Gravidez , Diagnóstico Pré-Natal/métodos , Septo Pelúcido/anormalidades , Septo Pelúcido/diagnóstico por imagemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Intracranial calcification (ICC) is an important diagnostic clue in pediatric neurology. Considering the radiation-induced cancer risk associated with computed tomography (CT), we aim to define the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences sensitive to paramagnetic/diamagnetic substances in the detection of ICC, comparing with CT scanning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected MRI and CT scans performed in children affected by neurological conditions associated with ICC referred to the participating centers between 2005 and 2018. Inclusion criteria were age at neuroradiological investigation < 18 years, availability of good quality CT positive for calcification, and MRI scan that included GE or/and SWI sequences, performed no more than 6 months apart. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients were included in the study. CT and MRI scans were reviewed by consensus. MRI failed to detect ICC in 14% of the cases. Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) was the best MRI sequence to use in this setting, followed by gradient echo imaging. In 19% of the cases, CT could have been avoided because the identification or monitoring of ICC has not been necessary for the clinical management of the patient. CONCLUSION: In the diagnostic workup of pediatric-onset neurological disorders of unknown cause, the first step to look for ICC should be an MRI that includes SWI and GE sequences. If ICC is absent on MRI, brain CT scanning should be performed at least once. When the identification or monitoring of ICC is unlikely to add information useful for patient's follow-up or treatment, we recommend not performing CT scanning.
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Calcinose , Doenças do Sistema Nervoso , Calcinose/complicações , Calcinose/diagnóstico por imagem , Criança , Humanos , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética/métodos , Doenças do Sistema Nervoso/diagnóstico por imagem , Doenças do Sistema Nervoso/etiologia , Neuroimagem , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios XRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Chiari malformation type 1 (CM1) is a rare condition where agreed classification and treatment are still missing. The goal of this study is to achieve a consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of CM1 in children. METHODS: A multidisciplinary panel formulated 57 provisional statements based on a review of the literature. Thirty-four international experts (IE) participated in a Delphi study by independently rating each statement on a 4-point Likert scale ("strongly disagree," "disagree," "agree," "strongly agree"). Statements that were endorsed ("agree" or "strongly agree") by < 75% of raters were re-formulated, or new statements were added, and another Delphi round followed (up to a maximum of three). RESULTS: Thirty-five IE were contacted and 34 agreed to participate. A consensus was reached on 30/57 statements (52.6%) after round 1. Three statements were added, and one removed. After round 2, agreement was reached on 56/59 statements (94.9%). Finally, after round 3, which took place during the 2019 Chiari Consensus Conference (Milan, Italy), agreement was reached on 58/59 statements (98.3%) about four main sections (Definition and Classification, Planning, Surgery, Isolated Syringomyelia). Only one statement did not gain a consensus, which is the "definition of radiological failure 24 month post-surgery." CONCLUSIONS: The consensus document consists of 58 statements (24 on diagnosis, 34 on treatment), serving clinicians and researchers following children with CM1. There is a clear need for establishing an international network and registry and to promote collaborative studies to increase the evidence base and optimize the long-term care of this patient population.
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Malformação de Arnold-Chiari , Siringomielia , Malformação de Arnold-Chiari/diagnóstico , Malformação de Arnold-Chiari/terapia , Criança , Consenso , Técnica Delphi , Humanos , ItáliaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This long-term retrospective follow-up study aimed to address the knowledge gap between prenatal diagnosis of complete isolated Agenesis of Corpus Callosum (cACC) at fetal MRI and postnatal neurodevelopmental outcome to improve prenatal counseling for parents. METHODS: Data on fetuses with isolated cACC from a single-center MRI database built up in two decades were considered. Detailed postnatal clinical, neuropsychological evaluations were performed and descriptions of available neuroradiological and genetic data were provided. RESULTS: Following a detailed neuropsychological evaluation and a long-term follow-up, the subsequent results emerged: 38 school-aged children (older than 6 years) of 50 (aged 2.5-15 years) showed normal intellectual functions (50%), intellectual disability (21%), and borderline intelligence quotient (29%). Deficits in motor functions (58%), executive functions (37%), language (61%), memory abilities (58%), and academic performances (53%) were found. Twenty-one percent of participants showed behavioral difficulties. Almost half of the participants underwent rehabilitation. Additional findings (21%) were detected at postnatal brain MRI, and a significant association between additional findings at postnatal imaging and abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome was observed. INTERPRETATIONS: This study supports the view that children with prenatal diagnosis of isolated cACC may present with several degrees of neurologic and neuropsychological impairment which become more evident only in their second decade of life. Postnatal MRI and detailed genetic analysis may add crucial information to prenatal data and substantially influence final judgment on the outcome and orient clinical management and counseling.