Computed tomography angiography features of children with ectopia cordis.

Ectopia cordis is a rare congenital defect with high mortality, and it remains challenging to radiologists, neonatologists and surgeons. CT angiography provides key information that aids in the decision-making process for possible surgical intervention. This pictorial essay describes CT angiography features in six neonates with ectopia cordis.

MRI findings of primary intracranial sarcomas in children.

BACKGROUND: Primary intracranial sarcoma is a very rare high-grade tumor. Scant reports exist on this malignancy in children, which limit the information about its imaging characteristics. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe the main characteristics of primary intracranial sarcoma on MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional descriptive observational study, we reviewed 18 patients (aged 1-18 years) with primary intracranial sarcomas diagnosed between 2015 and 2021. RESULTS: The main findings were contrast enhancement (100%), diffusion restriction (78%), hemorrhage (89%), meningeal extension (67%), necrosis (67%), and supratentorial location (72%). CONCLUSION: Primary intracranial sarcoma are typically supratentorial in location. MRI findings of primary intracranial sarcoma are similar to other intracranial malignancies.

Pulmonary imaging in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a series of 140 Latin American children.

BACKGROUND: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which resulted in the worldwide coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020, has particularly affected Latin America. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to analyze the imaging findings of pulmonary COVID-19 in a large pediatric series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by either quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction from nasopharyngeal swabs or presence of circulating immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies and who underwent chest radiograph or CT or both were included in this retrospective multicenter study. Three pediatric radiologists independently reviewed radiographs and CTs to identify the presence, localization, distribution and extension of pulmonary lesions. RESULTS: We included 140 children (71 female; median age 6.3 years, interquartile range 1.6-12.1 years) in the study. Peribronchial thickening (93%), ground-glass opacities (79%) and vascular engorgement (63%) were the most frequent findings on 131 radiographs. Ground-glass opacities (91%), vascular engorgement (84%) and peribronchial thickening (72%) were the most frequent findings on 32 CTs. Peribronchial thickening (100%), ground-glass opacities (83%) and pulmonary vascular engorgement (79%) were common radiograph findings in asymptomatic children (n=25). Ground-glass opacity and consolidation were significantly higher in children who needed intensive care admission or died (92% and 48%), in contrast with children with a favorable outcome (71% and 24%, respectively; P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic children and those with mild symptoms of COVID-19 showed mainly peribronchial thickening, ground-glass opacities and pulmonary vascular engorgement on radiographs. Ground-glass opacity and consolidation were more common in children who required intensive care admission or died.

Imaging findings of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: A hyperinflammatory immune-mediated shock syndrome has been recognised in children exposed to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). OBJECTIVE: To describe typical imaging findings in children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, imaging studies and clinical data from children treated for multisystem inflammatory syndrome were collected from multiple centres. Standardised case templates including demographic, biochemical and imaging information were completed by participating centres and reviewed by paediatric radiologists and paediatricians. RESULTS: We included 37 children (21 boys; median age 8.0 years). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing was positive for SARS-CoV-2 in 15/37 (41%) children and immunoglobulins in 13/19 children (68%). Common clinical presentations were fever (100%), abdominal pain (68%), rash (54%), conjunctivitis (38%) and cough (32%). Thirty-three children (89%) showed laboratory or imaging findings of cardiac involvement. Thirty of the 37 children (81%) required admission to the intensive care unit, with good recovery in all cases. Chest radiographs demonstrated cardiomegaly in 54% and signs of pulmonary venous hypertension/congestion in 73%. The most common chest CT abnormalities were ground-glass and interstitial opacities (83%), airspace consolidation (58%), pleural effusion (58%) and bronchial wall thickening (42%). Echocardiography revealed impaired cardiac function in half of cases (51%) and coronary artery abnormalities in 14%. Cardiac MRI showed myocardial oedema in 58%, pericardial effusion in 42% and decreased left ventricular function in 25%. Twenty children required imaging for abdominal symptoms, the commonest abnormalities being free fluid (71%) and terminal ileum wall thickening (57%). Twelve children underwent brain imaging, showing abnormalities in two cases. CONCLUSION: Children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome showed pulmonary, cardiac, abdominal and brain imaging findings, reflecting the multisystem inflammatory disease. Awareness of the imaging features of this disease is important for early diagnosis and treatment.

Thoracic imaging of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children: a series of 91 cases.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide to become a global pandemic. OBJECTIVE: To collect paediatric COVID-19 cases worldwide and to summarize both clinical and imaging findings in children who tested positive on polymerase chain reaction testing for SARS-CoV-2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected by completion of a standardised case report form submitted to the office of the European Society of Paediatric Radiology from March 12 to April 8, 2020. Chest imaging findings in children younger than 18 years old who tested positive on polymerase chain reaction testing for SARS-CoV-2 were included. Representative imaging studies were evaluated by multiple senior paediatric radiologists from this group with expertise in paediatric chest imaging. RESULTS: Ninety-one children were included (49 males; median age: 6.1 years, interquartile range: 1.0 to 13.0 years, range: 9 days-17 years). Most had mild symptoms, mostly fever and cough, and one-third had coexisting medical conditions. Eleven percent of children presented with severe symptoms and required intensive unit care. Chest radiographs were available in 89% of patients and 10% of them were normal. Abnormal chest radiographs showed mainly perihilar bronchial wall thickening (58%) and/or airspace consolidation (35%). Computed tomography (CT) scans were available in 26% of cases, with the most common abnormality being ground glass opacities (88%) and/or airspace consolidation (58%). Tree in bud opacities were seen in 6 of 24 CTs (25%). Lung ultrasound and chest magnetic resonance imaging were rarely utilized. CONCLUSION: It seems unnecessary to perform chest imaging in children to diagnose COVID-19. Chest radiography can be used in symptomatic children to assess airway infection or pneumonia. CT should be reserved for when there is clinical concern to assess for possible complications, especially in children with coexisting medical conditions.

Characterisation of computed tomography angiography findings in paediatric patients with heterotaxy.

BACKGROUND: Heterotaxy refers to the abnormal arrangement of organs across the left-right axis and is typically associated with complex cardiovascular malformations. OBJECTIVE: To characterise the range of cardiac and extracardiac CT angiography findings in children with heterotaxy using the latest nomenclature consensus and to compare the different types of isomerism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the data of 64 consecutive paediatric patients referred to our tertiary paediatric cardiovascular centre who underwent CT angiography for the evaluation of known or suspected heterotaxy within a 52-month period. RESULTS: Right atrial isomerism was identified in 44 (69%) children, while left atrial isomerism was identified in 18 (28%) children. Atrial appendage anatomy and situs could not be determined in 2 children (3%). Associated heart defects included complete atrioventricular canal (CAVC) in 51 (80%) children, total anomalous pulmonary venous return in 43 (67%) and pulmonary atresia in 23 (36%). The bronchial branching pattern corresponded to atrial appendage morphology in all children except in the two in whom atrial appendage morphology could not be defined. In children with right atrial isomerism, the most common associated abnormalities were CAVC (n=41, 93%) and asplenia (n=34, 77%), while in those with left atrial isomerism, the most common associated abnormalities were polysplenia (n=17, 94%) and an interrupted inferior vena cava with azygos continuation (n=15, 83%). CONCLUSION: CT angiography provides useful cardiovascular and extracardiac data on heterotaxy, which frequently involves a pattern of side-related findings but has great anatomical variability.

Survival and prognostic factors in pediatric patients with medulloblastoma treated at a national pediatric hospital in Peru: a retrospective cohort.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to determine the overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) rates of patients with medulloblastoma treated in a national pediatric hospital in Peru, as well as to identify demographic, clinical, imaging, postoperative, and histopathological characteristics and prognostic factors associated with OS and EFS. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective study analyzing information from the medical records of children with a diagnosis of medulloblastoma who underwent surgical treatment at the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño-San Borja, a public hospital in Lima, Peru, from 2015 to 2020. Clinical-epidemiological variables, degree of disease extension, risk stratification, extent of resection, postoperative complications, status of oncological treatment received, histological subtype, and neurological sequelae were taken into account. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were used to estimate OS, EFS, and prognostic factors. RESULTS: Of the 57 children evaluated with complete medical records, only 22 children (38.6%) underwent complete oncological treatment. OS was 37% (95% CI 0.25-0.55) at 48 months. EFS was 44% (95% CI 0.31-0.61) at 23 months. High-risk stratification-meaning patients with ≥ 1.5 cm2 of residual postoperative tumor, those younger than 3 years, those with disseminated disease (HR 9.69, 95% CI 1.40-67.0, p = 0.02), and those who underwent subtotal resection (HR 3.78, 95% CI 1.09-13.2, p = 0.04)-was negatively associated with OS. Failure to receive complete oncological treatment was negatively associated with OS (HR 20.0, 95% CI 4.84-82.6, p < 0.001) and EFS (HR 7.82, 95% CI 2.47-24.7, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: OS and EFS of patients with medulloblastoma in the author's milieu are below those reported in developed countries. Incomplete treatment and treatment abandonment in the authors' cohort were also high compared with high-income country statistics. Failure to complete oncological treatment was the most important factor associated with poor prognosis, both in terms of OS and EFS. High-risk patients and subtotal resection were negatively associated with OS. Interventions are needed to promote the completion of adjuvant oncological therapy for medulloblastoma in the disadvantaged Peruvian population.