Fostering research in pediatric interventional radiology: needs assessment and suggestions for support.

BACKGROUND: Due to the rarity of pediatric diseases, collaborative research is the key to maximizing the impact of research studies. A research needs assessment survey was created to support initiatives to foster pediatric interventional radiology research. OBJECTIVE: To assess the status of pediatric interventional radiology research, identify perceived barriers, obtain community input on areas of research/education/support, and create metrics for evaluating changes/responses to programmatic initiatives. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey link was sent to approximately 275 members of the Society for Pediatric Interventional Radiology (SPIR) between May and October 2020. Data was collected using a web-based interface. Data collected included practice setting, clinical role, research experience, research barriers, and suggestions for future initiatives. RESULTS: Fifty-nine surveys were analyzed with a staff physician survey response rate of 28% (56/198). A wide range of practice sizes from 15 countries were represented. Respondents were predominantly staff physicians (95%; 56/59) with an average of 11 years (range: 1-25 years) of clinical experience working at academic or freestanding children's hospitals. A total of 100% (59/59) had research experience, and 70% (41/58) had published research with a mean of 30 peer-reviewed publications (range: 1-200). For job security, 56% (33/59) of respondents were expected or required to publish, but only 19% (11/58) had research support staff, and 42% (25/59) had protected research time, but of those, 36% (9/25) got the time "sometimes or never." Lack of support staff, established collaborative processes, and education were identified as top barriers to performing research. CONCLUSIONS: The needs assessment survey demonstrated active research output despite several identified barriers. There is a widespread interest within the pediatric interventional radiology community for collaborative research.

Use of the Transrectal Ultrasound Probe in Aspiration and Drainage in Pediatric Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) probe use for aspiration and drainage of pelvic abscesses in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patient demographics, procedural details, technical success, safety, and clinical course of TRUS procedures were retrospectively analyzed. Between 2007 and 2016, 118 TRUS-guided procedures were performed in 115 children (60 males, 55 females); median age was 12.4 years (range, 2.4-17.9 years) and median weight was 45 kg (range, 12.6-112 kg). Ten children were 5 years of age or younger. RESULTS: In total, 113/118 procedures were performed under general anesthesia. The rectum accommodated the probe and needle guide without resistance in all children (technical feasibility, 100%). Abscesses were anterior to the rectum in 116/118 and posterior in 2/118. One hundred twelve collections were drained, 4 were aspirated, and 2 procedures were aborted, both subsequently successfully drained (2 and 3 days later). One patient underwent repeat drainage after 28 months. No major complications were reported. Median times to temperature normalization was 0 days (mean, 1.2; range, 0-13 days), catheter dwell time 5 days (mean, 6; range, 2-21 days), drain removal to discharge 1 day (mean, 2; range, 0-41 days), and follow-up 117 days (mean, 195; range, 5-2,690 days). CONCLUSIONS: TRUS-guided drainage using the TRUS probe and needle guide is a safe and effective method for aspiration and drainage of pelvic abscesses in children as young as 2 years.

Pediatric Brain Tumor Genetics: What Radiologists Need to Know.

Brain tumors are the most common solid tumors in the pediatric population. Pediatric neuro-oncology has changed tremendously during the past decade owing to ongoing genomic advances. The diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of pediatric brain tumors are now highly reliant on the genetic profile and histopathologic features of the tumor rather than the histopathologic features alone, which previously were the reference standard. The clinical information expected to be gleaned from radiologic interpretations also has evolved. Imaging is now expected to not only lead to a relevant short differential diagnosis but in certain instances also aid in predicting the specific tumor and subtype and possibly the prognosis. These processes fall under the umbrella of radiogenomics. Therefore, to continue to actively participate in patient care and/or radiogenomic research, it is important that radiologists have a basic understanding of the molecular mechanisms of common pediatric central nervous system tumors. The genetic features of pediatric low-grade gliomas, high-grade gliomas, medulloblastomas, and ependymomas are reviewed; differences between pediatric and adult gliomas are highlighted; and the critical oncogenic pathways of each tumor group are described. The role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in pediatric low-grade gliomas and of histone mutations as epigenetic regulators in pediatric high-grade gliomas is emphasized. In addition, the oncogenic drivers responsible for medulloblastoma, the classification of ependymomas, and the associated imaging correlations and clinical implications are discussed. ©RSNA, 2018.

Technique, Safety, and Yield of Bone Biopsies for Histomorphometry in Children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate image-guided bone biopsy for bone histomorphometry to assess osteoporosis in children with respect to safety and yield. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective review was performed of 79 bone biopsies in 73 patients performed between 2007 and 2015. Biopsies of the iliac bone were performed under general anesthesia, after tetracycline labeling, using a Rochester needle (Medical Innovations International, Inc, Rochester, Minnesota). Ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance were used in all procedures. Biopsy technique, technical success, safety, and histomorphometry results (complete, incomplete, none) were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 41 male patients (51.8%). Technical success was achieved in 76/79 (96%) procedures. Of 79 biopsies, 75 (95%) were uneventful. Unplanned overnight observation was required in 3 (minor SIR grade B), and prolonged hospital stay owing to hematoma causing nerve compression pain was required in 1 (major SIR grade D). Complete histomorphometric reports were obtained in 69 (87%) procedures, incomplete reports were obtained in 7 (9%), and no reports were obtained in 3(4%). Incomplete reports were insufficient to provide a definitive diagnosis or guide treatment. Histomorphometry impacted subsequent therapy in 69 (87%) biopsies. CONCLUSIONS: Image-guided bone biopsy for osteoporosis using the Rochester needle is a valuable and safe technique for establishing the diagnosis of osteoporosis and directing treatment based on histomorphometry results.

Factors determining renal impairment in unilateral ureteral colic secondary to calcular disease: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate all possible risk factors that can cause impairment of overall renal function in patients with unilateral ureteral calculus and a normal contralateral kidney. METHODS: This is a prospective study of 90 patients who presented to our institute complaining of renal colic secondary to unilateral ureteral calculus. All patients were evaluated with a thorough history, physical examination, and laboratory and radiological investigations including renal function testing, urine analysis, non-contrast computed topography, and radionucleotide scan. Patients were divided into two groups according to their calculated creatinine clearance using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. Group I (favorable group) had a creatinine clearance >60 ml/min, while group II (unfavorable group) had a creatinine clearance <60 ml/min. RESULTS: The patients' mean age ± SD was 38.8 ± 11.4 years. Group I included 54 patients (60 %), while group II included 36 patients (40 %). On univariate analysis, factors that were associated with overall renal function impairment were patients' age, urea-to-creatinine ratio (UCR), use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, stone location, and presence of obstruction. However, using binary logistic regression analysis, only patients' age, UCR, and presence of obstruction sustained statistical significance in association with renal function impairment. CONCLUSION: The study of factors that help explain the presence of renal impairment in patients with unilateral ureteral calculus is important in the clinical setting. Patients' age, urea-to-creatinine ratio, and degree of obstruction seem to be significantly associated with overall renal function impairment.