La elastografía mediante técnica Acoustic radiation force impulse es eficaz en la detección de fibrosis hepática en el niño / Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging elastography is efficacious in detecting hepatic fibrosis in children

Objetivo. Evaluar el rendimiento diagnóstico de ARFI para detectar fibrosis hepática significativa en la edad pediátrica. Material y métodos. El estudio fue aprobado por el comité de ética hospitalario, con el consentimiento informado de los pacientes o sus representantes. Estudiamos 96 niños (50 varones, 46 hembras; edad media 8 años); 16 voluntarios sin enfermedad hepática conocida y 80 con patologías que pueden evolucionar a fibrosis y cirrosis hepática. La muestra final incluyó 31 pacientes con biopsia y 16 controles sanos. En todos los casos se realizó ecografía abdominal incluyendo Doppler y elastografía con ARFI. El valor ARFI expresado como velocidad (m/s) de propagación de las ondas transversales a través del tejido se calculó promediando 16 medidas en ambos lóbulos hepáticos. Comparamos las medias con el test de ANOVA de un factor. Los tests t de Student y chi cuadrado se usaron para datos categóricos. La significación estadística se estableció para una p < 0,05. Resultados. La velocidad en niños con fibrosis ≥ F2 fue significativamente más alta (1,80 ± 0,45 m/s) que en controles y pacientes con F0-F1 (1,38 ± 0,22 m/s) (p < 0,001). La esteatosis no se relacionó con la velocidad. La actividad necroinflamatoria se relacionó muy significativamente con la velocidad (p < 0,01). Fibrosis y actividad necroinflamatoria se relacionaron muy significativamente (p < 0,0001). Conclusión. La velocidad de propagación de las ondas ARFI se relacionó significativamente en los niños con el grado de fibrosis hepática (AU)

Objective. To evaluate the diagnostic performance of acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) in detecting significant hepatic fibrosis in children. Material and methods. Our hospital's ethics committee approved the study and all patients or their representatives provided informed written consent. We included 96 children (50 boys, 46 girls; mean age, 8 y). We also studied 16 volunteers without liver disease as controls and 80 patients with diseases that can lead to fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver. The final sample included 31 patients with biopsies and the 16 controls. All patients underwent abdominal ultrasonography including Doppler imaging and elastography with ARFI. The ARFI value, expressed as velocity (m/s) of shear wave propagation through the tissue, was calculated by averaging 16 measurements in both liver lobes. We used one-way analysis of variance to compare means between groups; we set statistical significance at P<.05. We used Student's t-tests and chi-square tests for categorical data. Results. The ARFI value in children with fibrosis ≥ F2 was higher (1.80 ± 0.45 m/s) than in controls and higher than in patients with F0-F1 (1.38 ± 0.22 m/s). The difference was significant (P<.001) for detecting F ≥ 2. Steatosis was not related with the ARFI value (Student's t-test, P>.84). Necroinflammatory activity was strongly associated with the ARFI value (Student's t-test, P<.01). Fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity were strongly associated with each other (chi-square test, P<.0001). Conclusion. The speed of shear wave propagation is significantly associated with the degree of hepatic fibrosis in children (AU)

[Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging elastography is efficacious in detecting hepatic fibrosis in children]. / La elastografía mediante técnica Acoustic radiation force impulse es eficaz en la detección de fibrosis hepática en el niño.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) in detecting significant hepatic fibrosis in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our hospital's ethics committee approved the study and all patients or their representatives provided informed written consent. We included 96 children (50 boys, 46 girls; mean age, 8 y). We also studied 16 volunteers without liver disease as controls and 80 patients with diseases that can lead to fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver. The final sample included 31 patients with biopsies and the 16 controls. All patients underwent abdominal ultrasonography including Doppler imaging and elastography with ARFI. The ARFI value, expressed as velocity (m/s) of shear wave propagation through the tissue, was calculated by averaging 16 measurements in both liver lobes. We used one-way analysis of variance to compare means between groups; we set statistical significance at P<.05. We used Student's t-tests and chi-square tests for categorical data. RESULTS: The ARFI value in children with fibrosis ≥ F2 was higher (1.80±0.45m/s) than in controls and higher than in patients with F0-F1 (1.38±0.22m/s). The difference was significant (P<.001) for detecting F ≥ 2. Steatosis was not related with the ARFI value (Student's t-test, P>.84). Necroinflammatory activity was strongly associated with the ARFI value (Student's t-test, P<.01). Fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity were strongly associated with each other (chi-square test, P<.0001). CONCLUSION: The speed of shear wave propagation is significantly associated with the degree of hepatic fibrosis in children.

Evaluación del grosor del complejo íntima-media de la carótida en la hipercolesterolemia familiar durante la infancia / Evaluation of carotid intima-media thickness in familial hypercholesterolemia in childhood

Introducción: en la hipercolesterolemia familiar (HF), la concentración elevada de colesterol de las lipoproteínas de baja densidad (cLDL) desde el nacimiento produce depósito lipídico en la pared arterial, que puede medirse mediante el grosor del complejo íntima-media (GIM) arterial. Sujetos y métodos: se determinaron el GIM así como las concentraciones de colesterol y sus fracciones, los triglicéridos, la apolipoproteína A-I (apo A-I), la apolipoproteína B (apo B) y los factores de riesgo endotelial (homocisteína y proteína C ultrasensible) en 89 sujetos (44 varones) de 2 a 19 años (9,54±3,91 años). El GIM se midió en ambas carótidas a 1cm del bulbo por método de alta resolución (12MHz). Se comparó el GIM medio con la edad, el sexo y los parámetros analíticos mediante análisis de regresión múltiple. Resultados: los valores medios fueron GIM de 0,334±0,088mm; colesterol total de 273,62±91,93mg/dl; cLDL de 204,21±86,16mg/dl; LDL (lipoproteínas de baja densidad) y lipoproteínas de alta densidad (HDL) de 3,83±1,45mg/dl; apo A de 134,61±26,49mg/dl; apo B de 130,59 ± 40,59mg/dl; homocisteína (mediana) de 7,16mmol/dl, y proteína C reactiva mediana de 0,3mg/l. Según el análisis de regresión múltiple, sólo la edad se asocia al GIM (p=0,049), y su incremento anual es de 0,005mm (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%: 0,000¿0,010); hasta los 12 años el incremento del GIM es de 0,002mm anuales (IC del 95%: −0,007-0,010) y desde esa edad el incremento es de 0,013mm anuales (IC del 95%: −0,023-0,049). Conclusiones: la medida del GIM carotídeo podría incorporarse como parámetro objetivo de valoración de la HF en la infancia. En este estudio sólo se relaciona con la edad; el aumento más marcado es a partir de los 12 años (AU)

Introduction: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterized by exposure to severely elevated LDL-cholesterol from birth, which produces lipid deposits, which can be measured by means of intima-media thickness (IMT). Subjects and methods: The IMT and concentrations of cholesterol and its fractions, triglycerides, alipoproteins Apo-A1, Apo-B and endothelial risk factors (homocysteine and high sensitivity protein C ) were determined in 89 patients (44 males) from 2 to 19 years (9.54±3.91 years). IMT was measured by ultrasound using a 12MHz linear array transducer in both carotids to 1cm of the bulb. The IMT mean was compared with age, sex and analytical parameters using multiple regression analysis. Results: The mean values were: IMT 0.334±0.088mm, total cholesterol 273.62±91.93mg/dl, LDL-cholesterol 204.21±86.16mg/dl, LDL/HDL 3.83±1.45, apoprotein A1 134.61±26.49mg/dl, apoprotein B 130.59±40.59mg/dl, homocysteine (median) 7.16mmol/dl, Protein C (median) 0.3mg/l. Using multiple regression analysis, only age was associated with IMT (P=0.049), a mean 0.005mm (95% CI: 0.000¿0.010) being the annual increase: up to 12 years the increase in IMT was 0.002mm/year on (95% CI: −0.007-0,010) and then from that age it was 0.013mm/year (95% CI: −0.023-0.049). Conclusions: The measurement of the carotid IMT could become an objective parameter in the evaluation of the FH in childhood. In our study, it is only associated with age, the increase being most marked from 12 years onwards (AU)

[Evaluation of carotid intima-media thickness in familial hypercholesterolemia in childhood]. / Evaluación del grosor del complejo íntima-media de la carótida en la hipercolesterolemia familiar durante la infancia.

INTRODUCTION: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterized by exposure to severely elevated LDL-cholesterol from birth, which produces lipid deposits, which can be measured by means of intima-media thickness (IMT). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The IMT and concentrations of cholesterol and its fractions, triglycerides, alipoproteins Apo-A1, Apo-B and endothelial risk factors (homocysteine and high sensitivity protein C ) were determined in 89 patients (44 males) from 2 to 19 years (9.54+/-3.91 years). IMT was measured by ultrasound using a 12MHz linear array transducer in both carotids to 1cm of the bulb. The IMT mean was compared with age, sex and analytical parameters using multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean values were: IMT 0.334+/-0.088mm, total cholesterol 273.62+/-91.93mg/dl, LDL-cholesterol 204.21+/-86.16mg/dl, LDL/HDL 3.83+/-1.45, apoprotein A1 134.61+/-26.49mg/dl, apoprotein B 130.59+/-40.59mg/dl, homocysteine (median) 7.16mmol/dl, Protein C (median) 0.3mg/l. Using multiple regression analysis, only age was associated with IMT (P=0.049), a mean 0.005mm (95% CI: 0.000-0.010) being the annual increase: up to 12 years the increase in IMT was 0.002mm/year on (95% CI: -0.007-0,010) and then from that age it was 0.013mm/year (95% CI: -0.023-0.049). CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of the carotid IMT could become an objective parameter in the evaluation of the FH in childhood. In our study, it is only associated with age, the increase being most marked from 12 years onwards.

[Radiologic findings in non-Wilms' renal tumors in children]. / Hallazgos radiológicos de los tumores renales no-Wilms en la edad pediátrica.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the radiologic findings of non-Wilms' renal tumors in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 26 patients with histologically confirmed non-Wilms' renal tumors. The following variables were evaluated on radiological studies: location, size, margins, necrosis, hemorrhage, calcifications, subcapsular hematoma, adenopathies, and metastases. Age and clinical presentation were also analyzed. RESULTS: We found 11 mesoblastic nephromas (predominantly solid masses, ill-defined margins, necrosis, hemorrhage, and peritumoral collections; mean patient age, 15 years old); 7 multilocular cystic nephromas (multicystic masses, thickened septa, well-defined margins, capsule, and partial involvement of the kidney; patient age range: 5 to 12 months); 4 renal carcinomas (one with dense calcifications, one mass in the pyelocaliceal system, one with infiltration of the excretory tract, one solid infiltrating mass, retroperitoneal adenopathies, and one metastasis; age range: 2 to 15 years); one clear cell sarcoma (circumscribed solid mass with necrosis and retrocaval adenopathy in a two-year-old boy); one rhabdoid tumor (hypodense mass, ill-defined margins, retroperitoneal adenopathy, vesical clots, and synchronous intracranial tumor, in a six-month-old boy); one intrarenal neuroblastoma (infiltrating solid mass, necrosis, retroperitoneal adenopathy, and bone marrow infiltration in an eight-year-old boy); and one angiomyolipoma (tumor in the upper pole, extrarenal growth, hypoenhancing, and two fatty lesions in the contralateral kidney, in a ten-year-old patient with tuberous sclerosis). CONCLUSIONS: Radiology, together with clinical and epidemiological data, enables the diagnostic work-up of pediatric renal tumors. Histological diagnosis remains indispensable.

Hallazgos radiológicos de los tumores renales no-Wilms en la edad pediátrica / Radiologic findings in non-Wilms' renal tumors in children

Objetivos. Analizar los hallazgos radiológicos de los tumores renales diferentes del tumor de Wilms en edad pediátrica. Material y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo de 26 pacientes con tumor renal no-Wilms con confirmación patológica. Se evaluó mediante estudios radiológicos: localización, tamaño, márgenes, necrosis, hemorragia, calcificaciones, hematoma subcapsular, adenopatías y metástasis. Se analizaron la edad y la presentación clínica. Resultados. Once nefromas mesoblásticos (masas de predominio sólido, márgenes mal definidos, necrosis, hemorragias y colecciones peritumorales en pacientes de 15 días de media de edad). Siete nefromas quísticos multiloculares (masas multiquísticas, septos engrosados, márgenes bien definidos, cápsula y afectación parcial del riñón, edades entre 5 meses y 12 años). Cuatro carcinomas renales (calcificaciones densas uno, masa en sistema pielocalicial uno, infiltración de vía excretora uno, masa sólida infiltrante, adenopatías retroperitoneales y metástasis uno, con edades de 2 a 15 años). Un sarcoma de células claras (masa sólida circunscrita con necrosis y adenopatía retrocava en niño de 2 años). Un tumor rabdoide (masa hipodensa, márgenes mal definidos, adenopatía retroperitoneal, coágulos vesicales y tumoración intracraneal sincrónica en un niño de 6 meses). Un neuroblastoma intrarrenal (masa sólida infiltrante, necrosis, adenopatía retroperitoneal e infiltración de médula ósea en un niño de 8 años). Un angiomiolipoma (tumoración en polo superior, crecimiento extrarrenal, hipocaptante, dos lesiones grasas en riñón contralateral en un paciente de 10 años con esclerosis tuberosa). Conclusiones. La radiología, junto a datos clínicos y epidemiológicos, permite una aproximación diagnóstica de los tumores renales pediátricos. El diagnóstico histológico sigue siendo indispensable (AU)

Objectives. To analyze the radiologic findings of non-Wilms' renal tumors in children. Material and methods. This is a retrospective study of 26 patients with histologically confirmed non-Wilms' renal tumors. The following variables were evaluated on radiological studies: location, size, margins, necrosis, hemorrhage, calcifications, subcapsular hematoma, adenopathies, and metastases. Age and clinical presentation were also analyzed. Results. We found 11 mesoblastic nephromas (predominantly solid masses, ill-defined margins, necrosis, hemorrhage, and peritumoral collections; mean patient age, 15 years old); 7 multilocular cystic nephromas (multicystic masses, thickened septa, well-defined margins, capsule, and partial involvement of the kidney; patient age range: 5 to 12 months); 4 renal carcinomas (one with dense calcifications, one mass in the pyelocaliceal system, one with infiltration of the excretory tract, one solid infiltrating mass, retroperitoneal adenopathies, and one metastasis; age range: 2 to 15 years); one clear cell sarcoma (circumscribed solid mass with necrosis and retrocaval adenopathy in a two-year-old boy); one rhabdoid tumor (hypodense mass, ill-defined margins, retroperitoneal adenopathy, vesical clots, and synchronous intracranial tumor, in a six-month-old boy); one intrarenal neuroblastoma (infiltrating solid mass, necrosis, retroperitoneal adenopathy, and bone marrow infiltration in an eight-year-old boy); and one angiomyolipoma (tumor in the upper pole, extrarenal growth, hypoenhancing, and two fatty lesions in the contralateral kidney, in a ten-year-old patient with tuberous sclerosis). Conclusions. Radiology, together with clinical and epidemiological data, enables the diagnostic work-up of pediatric renal tumors. Histological diagnosis remains indispensable (AU)

Estudio mediante técnicas de imagen de las fístulas del seno piriforme / Diagnostic imaging of piriform sinus fistulas

Objetivos. Establecer la utilidad de la ecografía, tomografía computarizada (TC), resonancia magnética (RM) y estudios baritados en el diagnóstico de las fístulas del seno piriforme (FSP). Material y métodos. Se han revisado las historias clínicas y los estudios de imagen de cuatro pacientes de edad pediátrica diagnosticados de FSP. La primera técnica de imagen que se realizó en todos los casos fue la ecografía cervical; a tres se les realizó posteriormente TC con contraste intravenoso y a uno RM; a todos ellos, de forma diferida, se les practicó esofagograma con bario. En todos los casos hubo comprobación quirúrgica. Resultados. En los cuatro pacientes la ecografía permitió identificar la localización de las lesiones en el lado izquierdo, así como la existencia de colecciones heterogéneas en tiroides y tejido peritiroideo. Posteriormente, mediante la TC y la RM se delimitaron las lesiones abscesificadas. El esofagograma con bario demostró la existencia de la FSP en los cuatro casos. Conclusiones. La presencia de un proceso inflamatorio de repetición y de tiroiditis supuradas agudas de localización izquierda debe hacernos sospechar la existencia de FSP. Tanto la TC como la RM son útiles en el estudio de la FSP pero, en nuestra experiencia, la ecografía es la técnica de elección en su valoración inicial y seguimiento evolutivo. Tras el proceso agudo, el esofagograma con bario sigue siendo el principal método diagnóstico del trayecto fistuloso

Objectives. To establish the usefulness of ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and barium contrast swallow studies in the diagnosis of piriform sinus fistulas (PSF). Material and methods. We reviewed the clinical histories and imaging studies of four pediatric patients diagnosed with PSF. Cervical ultrasound was the first imaging study performed in all cases. Three patients subsequently underwent intravenous contrast-enhanced CT examination and one underwent MRI. Barium contrast swallow studies were performed in all patients at a later time. All cases were confirmed at surgery. Results. Ultrasound enabled the lesions to be located on the left side and showed the existence of heterogeneous collections in and around the thyroid glands in all four patients. Posterior CT and MRI studies determined the exact size of the abscessed lesions. Barium contrast swallow studies demonstrated the existence of the PSF in all four cases. Conclusions. The presence of a recurrent inflammatory process and acute suppurating thyroiditis located on the left side should raise suspicions of PSF. Both CT and MRI are useful in the study of PSF; however, in our experience, ultrasound examination is the technique of choice for initial evaluation and follow-up. After the acute process, barium swallow studies continue to be the main method for diagnosing the trajectory of the fistulous tract

[Diagnostic imaging of piriform sinus fistulas]. / Estudio mediante técnicas de imagen de las fístulas del seno piriforme.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the usefulness of ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and barium contrast swallow studies in the diagnosis of piriform sinus fistulas (PSF). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed the clinical histories and imaging studies of four pediatric patients diagnosed with PSF. Cervical ultrasound was the first imaging study performed in all cases. Three patients subsequently underwent intravenous contrast-enhanced CT examination and one underwent MRI. Barium contrast swallow studies were performed in all patients at a later time. All cases were confirmed at surgery. RESULTS: Ultrasound enabled the lesions to be located on the left side and showed the existence of heterogeneous collections in and around the thyroid glands in all four patients. Posterior CT and MRI studies determined the exact size of the abscessed lesions. Barium contrast swallow studies demonstrated the existence of the PSF in all four cases. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a recurrent inflammatory process and acute suppurating thyroiditis located on the left side should raise suspicions of PSF. Both CT and MRI are useful in the study of PSF; however, in our experience, ultrasound examination is the technique of choice for initial evaluation and follow-up. After the acute process, barium swallow studies continue to be the main method for diagnosing the trajectory of the fistulous tract.

[Simple renal cysts in childhood]. / Quistes renales simples en la edad pediátrica.

Simple renal cysts are infrequently diagnosed in children. Technique improvements in pediatric uroradiology lead to more frequent recognition. Authors review urographic and ultrasound studies of five simple renal cysts in children, between two days and seven years, seen during the last five years.