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PURPOSE: To characterize transient intraspinal subdural enhancement (potentially mimicking the subarachnoid spread of tumor) seen on MR images in some children after suboccipital craniectomy for posterior fossa tumor resection. METHODS: Radiologic and medical records of 10 consecutive children who had MR imaging for spinal staging after resection of posterior fossa tumor during a 9-month period were reviewed retrospectively. In addition, one case with similar findings of intraspinal enhancement on spinal staging MR images obtained at another institution was included in the review. RESULTS: Intraspinal enhancement thought to be subdural was seen in four of 10 patients undergoing spinal staging MR imaging 6 to 12 days after surgery. In these four patients, MR studies 50 to 18 days later, without intervening treatment, showed resolution of the abnormal enhancement. A fifth patient (from another institution) with similar intraspinal enhancement underwent CT myelography 4 days later, which showed no subarachnoid lesions. No metastases have developed in any of these five patients during the 2.5- to 3.5-year follow-up period. conclusions: From analysis of the MR appearance and on the basis of prior myelographic experience, we suggest an extraarachnoid, probably subdural, location of this enhancement. Awareness of this phenomenon will reduce the rate of false-positive diagnoses of metastatic disease. Preoperative spinal staging should be considered for patients undergoing suboccipital craniectomy.

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Computed tomography (CT) scans obtained at the time of clinical presentation have occasionally been reported to be normal in children with history and findings of significant abusive head injury. We have retrospectively observed abnormalities in "normal" scans of some similar children. We have also seen abnormalities develop on serial scanning. To determine how frequently these situations occur, we reviewed charts of 34 children with a final diagnosis of child abuse who also had cranial CT scans performed. Their CT scans were retrospectively reviewed by a pediatric radiologist. Eleven (11/34) CT scans had initially been interpreted as normal. Four (4/11) of these had been reinterpreted during the hospitalization as abnormal, affecting medical (1) and legal (3) outcome. Repeat scanning in three of the remaining seven resulted in surgical drainage of a subdural effusion (1) and affected legal outcome (2). Four of the seven initial scans felt normal throughout the hospitalizations were judged abnormal on retrospective review. This evaluation was confirmed in the two rescanned. Initial CT interpretation most often failed to appreciate changes in parenchymal density and small amounts of falcine or cortical subdural blood. Subsequent scans also showed evolving effusions and infarcts. Changes were noted in 1 1/2 to 5 days. The CT scan frequently shows subtle changes in the immediate posttrauma period. If the child does not recover promptly, subsequent scans frequently result in significant changes in clinical and legal management.

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A single lumbar puncture myelographic technique is described to evaluate long segment epidural block in the young infant.

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Rib fractures have occasionally been described in children receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Because child abuse is sometimes suspected in these cases, it is both medically and legally important to establish whether the rib fractures are secondary to abuse or CPR. One hundred thirteen children, including 41 victims of child abuse, 50 patients who had CPR, and 22 patients who had rib fractures, were studied. Twenty-nine patients had rib fractures; 14/29 (48%) were abusive. Other causes of fracture were: motor vehicle accidents (four), rickets/osteoporosis (five), surgery (five), and osteogenesis imperfecta (one). In spite of prolonged resuscitation performed with variable degrees of skill, no fractures could be attributed to CPR. On the other hand, rib fractures occurred frequently in abused children (6/41 or 15%). Abusive fractures were often multiple, of different ages, and affected multiple adjacent ribs. Patients with abusive rib fracture also had other physical and radiologic signs of abuse or neglect.

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Four cases of ectopia cordis are described. The fetal sonographic appearance is demonstrated, and the postnatal use of computed tomography in the estimation of thoracic volumes for surgical planning is discussed.

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The authors describe the technique of real-time sector scanning in the coronal plane through the side of the head to visualize the opposite cerebral convexity. This lateral technique utilizes the temporal squama and/or coronal suture as windows, and often requires the use of a 3.0-MHz transducer. Several cases illustrate extracerebral fluid or echogenic blood collections in which the lateral technique added useful information not shown by standard imaging through the anterior fontanelle. Four of the fluid collections were not visible with standard imaging techniques. The lateral technique appears to be a useful addition to the cranial echogram.

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A case report illustrates that percutaneous nephrostomy is a simple alternative to surgical ureterostomy when temporary supravesical diversion is necessary in a newborn with posterior urethral valves.

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