[Periorbital ecchymosis--trauma or tumor?]. / Säugling mit Brillenhämatom - Trauma oder Tumor?

We report about an 11 month old patient, who presented with progressive supraorbital swelling, periorbital ecchymosis, hepatosplenomegalia and B-symptoms. Neuroblastoma was subsequently diagnosed based on the clinical history, physical examination, laboratory tests and imaging findings. Neuroblastoma is the second most frequent solid tumor in infancy. Clinical symptoms are not specific. The so called "raccoon eyes", as seen in our patient, result from osseous metastasis to the orbits and skull. Periorbital swelling may initially be misinterpreted as child abuse. Prognosis of neuroblastoma depends on various factors including initial tumor staging, tumor biology and the child's age.

[Sturge-Weber syndrome. Early manifestation and visualization of disease course]. / Sturge-Weber-Syndrom. Frühmanifestation und Verlauf in der Bilddiagnostik.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate ultrasound, MRI, and CT investigations in children with Sturge-Weber syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1996 to 2005, a total of 15 investigations of the brain performed in 6 children with Sturge-Weber syndrome were reviewed. We evaluated four ultrasound, five CT, and six MRI exams. RESULTS: With ultrasound an increase of the echogenicity of the periventricular white matter was depicted in the first days of life. MRI is the best modality to demonstrate the vascular malformation, the impaired cerebral venous drainage, and the atrophy of one hemisphere. CONCLUSIONS: One-sided periventricular hyperechogenicity on ultrasound can be an early sign of Sturge-Weber syndrome in children with a nevus flammeus. MRI is the method of choice to diagnose Sturge-Weber syndrome and to follow up these children if the neurological status of the patients changes.

[Teleradiology for emergency cranial computed tomography]. / Teleradiologie bei notfallmässigen Schädel-CT-Untersuchungen.

PURPOSE: We report our experience with the teleradiologic service provided by a center hospital (CH) for emergency cranial computed tomography (CCT) in two regional hospitals (RH) during a 12-month period. The clinical and economic impact of teleradiology will be discussed as well as the acceptance by the clinicians of the regional hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 2001, 213 CT-scans in 202 patients were performed and reported using teleradiology. Teleradiologic and final medical diagnosis were analysed by the medical reports. The transfer of the patients to a CH and their further treatment were checked. The referring physicians in the RH were asked to complete a questionnaire about the teleradiological support. RESULTS: 18 (9 %) patients had to be urgently transferred to a CH based on the CT findings in the teleradiological reports. 24 patients (11 %) were transferred to a center hospital during further treatment. 80 % of patients were treated in the RH. CONCLUSION: CT data transfer is reliable and efficient. Teleradiology reduces costs by avoiding unnecessary transport of patients for diagnostic procedures. Teleradiology improves patient management by reducing time from admittance to decide about further treatment. Teleradiology enables rapid selection of the best-equipped center hospital for the management of the patient's disease. Teleradiology is well accepted by the physicians in the RH. In the RH, teleradiology has become an indispensable standard procedure in the emergency diagnostic workup of cerebral trauma patients and in patients with acute unclear neurological symptoms.