Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to P Devred.
Splenic hemangioma is a very rare neoplasm in children. We report three cases of splenic hemangioma, two of solitary hemangioma and one of hemangiomatosis. Two patients had hematologic disorders related to hemangioma. Imaging findings of this entity are presented and discussed with emphasis on pathologic correlation.
The results of MRI and MIBG scintigraphy performed on the spine of 14 children with neuroblastoma are reported. In 6 cases of diffuse spinal bone marrow tumor infiltration, diagnosis is easier with MIBG scintigraphy than with MRI. In 5 cases, MRI detected hyposignal of the vertebral body without any spinal abnormality on MIBG scintigraphy. A discussion of the reasons for negative MIBG scintigraphy is presented and in these 5 cases, it is suggested that a lateral view of MIBG scintigraphy and HMDP-Tc99m scintigraphy may be performed, even vertebral body biopsy in order to assess bone marrow tumoral infiltration.
Three pediatric cases of malignant rhabdoid tumor of the neck are described. Clinical data and imaging findings (US, CT and MRI) are stressed. The mass was well defined, containing punctate calcifications in two cases and encasing the vessels in two other cases. Two patients were treated with a chemotherapy regimen according to MMT 89 SIOP protocol, one had chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Two children died of progressive disease; the remaining child who had complete surgical removal of the tumor is on remission 17 months after diagnosis.
An open-label noncomparative clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of ioversol (Optiray 300), a new low-osmolality non ionic contrast medium, in body contrast-enhanced CT scanning in infants and children. Fourty pediatric patients who required contrast-enhanced CT scanning for evaluation of chest, abdominal or pelvic masses participated in the study. The vascular enhancement was judged to be excellent or good in 72.5% of the cases and the CT scans were judged to be diagnostic in 95% of the cases. Ioversol was well tolerated in the study with only two mild adverse reactions (nausea and vomiting, and metallic taste).
Three pediatric cases of hydatic cyst of the kidney are reported. This is a very rare condition in children. Usually, the presentation is a cystic space-occupying lesion of the kidney. Several diagnostic methods are available but it is stressed that ultrasonography may be sufficient. Surgical treatment is still necessary.
A new case of duodenal atresia with gas below the obstruction is reported. This apparently contradictory feature is due to a bifid termination of the common bile duct in the duodenum, air by-passing the atretic area. The anomaly was proven by operative cholangiography.
Conservative surgery of primary bone tumors, which has become possible owing to the progress made by chemotherapy, must be carcinological, and it is therefore based on a thorough assessment of local tumor extension. CT and MRI have proven their great value for this assessment. While CT clearly shows the calcified tissue and the extension into soft tissue, MRI is more effective to delineate the tumoral and intraosseous margins and, more importantly, for the exploration within bone, for which it has the advantage of making a study in all planes possible. The anatomical substrate and exact meaning of the MR signal of pathological tissue still remains to be specified. However, MRI already appears to be the essential examination for the assessment of local bone tumor extension. If it did not have contraindications, it could replace CT within the next few years.
A case of atypical extrinsic allergic alveolitis in a 13-year-old is reported. Onset was sudden with gradually increasing dyspnea on exertion over a four-day period. The chest film evidenced a reticulonodular syndrome with decreased respiratory movements. The patient's clinical status worsened over the next 48 hours with the development of respiratory distress. Under oxygen therapy (3 l/min), PO2 was 49 mmHg and SO2 was 82%. Dramatic improvement occurred after initiation of corticosteroid and antimicrobial therapy. Etiologic investigations were negative except for the immunofluorescence test with pigeon droppings which showed three precipitation arcs. A CT scan of the chest disclosed diffuse micronodular densities without thickening of connective tissue trabeculae, suggesting alveolar disease. Mediastinal lymph nodes were not enlarged. Vital capacity was 26% of the theoric value. Corticosteroids were given for one month. On follow-up chest films, the reticulomicronodular syndrome was seen to abate, globally at first, then from the apices to the bases of the lungs. However, a repeat CT scan at the 4th month showed that diffuse lesions were still present although the chest film was normal; 8 months after onset, there was only a bulla in the left lung base, with no evidence of fibrosis. Lung function tests slowly returned to normal, as did CT scan findings.
The MR aspects of spondylodiscitis in pediatric patients were studied with a 0.5-Tesla supraconductive magnet: 12 patients were divided in two groups; acute disease (9) and period of sequelae (3). The first group was divided into two subgroups according to the age and the clinical findings: infants (2) and children (7). In infants, MR gave good visualization of the destruction of vertebrae and discs. Presuppurative abscesses appeared as light signals, their extent and position relative to the cord being clearly visualized in frontal and sagittal planes in T1-weighted images. In older children, there were a low vertebral signal and disappearance of the disc-vertebra borders on T1-weighted images and a high vertebral signal with a decreased and flattened disc signal on T2-weighted images. Frontal and sagittal planes were used. During the first month of antibiotic therapy, the follow-up scans showed no changes, and even disclosed a spread of the abnormal signal in the vertebral body. At the stage of sequelae, on T1 the spinal signal was normal with a decreased disc width and on T2 the disc signal was low while the vertebrae appeared normal.
Amongst the endothoracic forms of Wegener's granulomatosis, tracheal, bronchial and above all mediastinal localisations are unusual. Such a case having a bad outcome is reported here. Computed Tomography (TDM) was used to assess the extend of pulmonary parenchymal involvement. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was superior to TDM for showing transmural infiltration of the tracheal and the origin of main bronchi.
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The authors have tested different MR imaging sequences to detect hepatocellular carcinomas. The most performing is a spin-echo T2-weighted sequence with long TR (1800 or 2000 ms), and three echoes. The first echo, early at 40 ms, may allow an analysis of the vessels, later, at 80 and 120 ms, the two other echoes permit a better visualization of the tumor. With this type of sequence, the method's sensibility is excellent.
High level ano-rectal anomalies were evaluated by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in 15 patients. One neonate and two infants were evaluated preoperatively. Sagittal slices identified properly the blind rectal end in the 3 cases. Associated anomalies (tethered spinal cord, right ectopic kidney in 1 case, recto-urinary fistula in another case, upper excretory dilatation in 2 cases) were found during the same examination. In the post-operative period (12 cases), major data were obtained on axial transverse slices. When pulled-through intestine is outside the levator sling, re-do-surgery can be indicated. MRI appears as an accurate tool to assess these anomalies.
The authors report a case of Bacteroides fragilis septicemia with left portal vein thrombosis secondary to a liver abscess discovered by ultrasonography. This thrombosis was in relation with hereditary protein C deficiency. The authors emphasize the importance of assaying for C protein along with the other physiological coagulation inhibitors in the child presenting with venous thrombosis.
Two cases of calcified thrombus of inferior vena cava in children are reported and the relevant literature reviewed. Although the physiopathology of this lesion is poorly understood and its detection is usually fortuitous, its presentation is univocal.
Technical aspects and indications for the use of digital subtraction angiography of thorax in 109 children are discussed, and the interest of this exploratory method emphasized in chronic respiratory disease in children. Results obtained are compared with other investigations for screening of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Although generally reliable for exploration of thoracic aorta anomalies (coarctation and abnormal vascular arch) it is considered to be incompletely effective for investigation of congenital heart disease.
Predisposing factors in two children with urinary tract candidiasis included: neonatal period, uropathy with malformation, massive antibiotic therapy. Ultrasound images showed dilated excretory cavities of variable echo intensities and without posterior shadow cone. Diagnosis was confirmed by urine culture and a satisfactory outcome obtained by specific therapy and surgery for malformations.