RESUMEN

Pediatric intussusception is a relatively common yet serious condition where prompt diagnosis is crucial. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has proven accurate for diagnosing this disease and can expedite both diagnosis and treatment. Previous research has shown that emergency physicians can diagnose intussusception with acceptable sensitivity and specificity but require prior training in recognizing the pathology. Despite the disease's relative frequency, any individual physician rarely encounters it, making a simulation model vital for learning this ultrasound modality. We created a model using low-cost, easily available components that can be used to train emergency physicians to diagnose intussusception on POCUS.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The aim of this exploratory survey is to describe the current state of US (ultrasound) technique across different pediatric settings nationwide. METHODS: A questionnaire was emailed to all members of the Italian Society of Pediatrics, including pediatric residents. The survey was open from December 2021 to March 2022. RESULTS: There were 1098 respondents. Seven hundred and seven pediatricians (84.1%) reported any use of US, while 51 (44.3%) residents denied it. The majority of participants (n = 956, 87.1%) reported to have a US machine available within the department, mostly cart-based (n = 516, 66.9%) and provided from 1 to 5 years prior to the survey (n = 330, 42.8%). Lung and neonatal cerebral regions were the most frequently scanned (n = 289, 18.7% and n = 218, 14.1%, respectively). The suspicion of pneumonia or respiratory distress represented the main reasons for performing US in emergency room (n = 390, 78% and n = 330, 66%, respectively). The majority of family pediatricians reported to scan lung and kidney/urinary tract regions (n = 30, 16.9%, and n = 23,12.9%, respectively). Regarding US training, the majority of respondents (n = 358, 34.6%) declared an experience-based education, with a deficient certification enabling the use of US in 71.6% (n = 552) of cases. The most common barriers included the lack of a well-defined training program (n = 627, 57.1%), unavailability of the US machine (n = 196, 17.9%) and legal responsibility concern (n = 175, 15.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the growing interest on pediatric US nationally, significant barriers still limit widespread adoption. These obstacles may be addressed through the dissemination of a specific US education plan and providing additional resources.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Purpose: To identify factors predicting the failure of ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction of intussusception in children. Patients and Methods: The medical records of 174 children who underwent ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction of intussusception over four years were reviewed at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. Patient's demography, clinical data, and sonography findings (type of intussusception, length of intussusception, presence of lead point, trapped fluid, lymph node, and free peritoneal fluid) were entered into SPSS 25 (IBM) and analyzed using logistic regression. Results: The overall success rate of ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction was 81.6%. The sex, presence of abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, trapped lymph nodes on ultrasound, or history of upper respiratory tract infection had no association with hydrostatic reducibility. Currant jelly stool (OR 0.128; 95% CI, 0.27-0.616; P=0.01), Ileo-ileo colic intussusception (OR 0.055; 95% CI, 0.005-0.597; P=0.017), pathologic lead point (OR 0.66; 95% CI, 0.01-0.447; P=0.005) and abdominal distention (OR 0.209; 95% CI, 0.044-0.998; P=0.048) showed significant association with failed hydrostatic reduction. Conclusion: The presence of currant jelly stool, ileo-ileo colic type intussusception, pathologic lead point, and abdominal distention are the most important predictors for failed ultrasound ultrasound-guided reduction intussusception in children.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Few reports explore the frequency and factors associated with diagnostic ultrasound (US) for midgut volvulus. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate predictive factors for diagnostic US for midgut volvulus and clinical outcomes of patients with non-diagnostic US. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included infants imaged for midgut volvulus with US. Exams were rated as diagnostic (midgut volvulus present or absent) or non-diagnostic by a pediatric radiologist, and in cases of disagreement with the original report, an additional pediatric radiologist was the tie-breaker. For each exam, the following were recorded: age, weight, respiratory support, exam indication, sonographer experience, and gaseous dilated bowel loops on radiography. Logistic regression models with "stepwise" variable selection were used to investigate the association of diagnostic US for midgut volvulus with each of the independent variables. RESULTS: One hundred nineteen patients were imaged. US was diagnostic in 74% (88/119) of patients. In subsets of patients presenting with bilious emesis or age <28 days, US was diagnostic in 92% (22/24) and 90% (53/59), respectively. Logistic regression suggested that symptom type (bilious vs other) was the best predictor of diagnostic US (type 3 P=0.02). Out of 26 patients with available radiographs, US was diagnostic in 92% (12/13) of patients without bowel dilation on radiographs compared to 62% (8/13) of patients with bowel dilation (P=0.16). Weight, respiratory support, and sonographer experience did not differ between groups. Two sick neonates, ages 2 days and 30 days, in whom the primary clinical concern was dropping hematocrit and sepsis, respectively, had non-diagnostic ultrasounds in the setting of bowel dilation on radiography. Both were found to have midgut volvulus at surgery and both expired. CONCLUSION: US was most frequently diagnostic in patients with bilious emesis or age less than 28 days. Non-diagnostic US for midgut volvulus must prompt a predetermined follow-up strategy, such as an additional imaging study (e.g., upper GI series), particularly in a sick child, as non-diagnostic US may miss midgut volvulus.

RESUMEN

The use of musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound (US) in pediatric rheumatology has expanded rapidly with various diagnostic and therapeutic indications. Unlike magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), US allows real-time dynamic assessment, evaluation of multiple joints in a single session and comparison with contralateral limb. However, a long learning curve and lack of experience with MSK US in pediatric patients still precludes its routine use at many imaging centers. It is prudent for pediatric radiologists to be aware of normal US appearances of the growing MSK structures to avoid their misinterpretation as pathology. The normal MSK US findings in children which can be confused with pathology and create diagnostic difficulty can arise due to variable states of maturation of bones, cartilage and tendons, complex anatomical locations, accessory structures, and artifacts. Herein, we describe the various technical and interpretive challenges encountered with MSK US in pediatric patients.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The Cranial Neurosonogram is the preferred method for viewing the infant's brain. Ultrasound tools are portable and may be used at the NICU bedside. This corresponds to the concept of point-of-care testing. The difficulties associated with moving newborns to CT or MRI rooms are eliminated. Furthermore, ultrasound is less expensive than CT, has no radiation impact, and does not require sedation, which is required for MRI. Cranial sutures are still open in newborns, allowing us to glimpse within the brain using ultrasonography. A radiologist or neonatologist specializing in that profession should do the neurosonogram. The majority of the time, the course of therapy and subsequent care of the patient can be based on a Neurosonogram finding. Regardless of weight, height, or gestational age, any neonate who has a higher risk of morbidity or death due to fetal, placental, or maternal factors is classified as critically unwell. A sick neonate is defined as any neonate, regardless of birth weight, size, or gestational age, who has a greater than average risk of morbidity or mortality due to fetal, maternal, or placental anomalies or an otherwise compromised pregnancy within the first 28 days of life.

RESUMEN

Gallbladder polyps are a relatively rare finding in children. The increased use of high-resolution ultrasound in childhood allows to detect gallbladder lesions in young patients. A precise diagnosis can be established using different imaging series. Abdominal contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination provides the most accurate imaging information about the nature and size of the lesion. This is important for further decisions regarding patient referral for cholecystectomy. The object of this study was to present a case of gallbladder polyp diagnosed and followed up by contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

RESUMEN

RATIONAL AND OBJECTIVES: Ultrasound investigation of peripheral nerves, long used in the adult population, has been shown to be of value in diagnosing a variety of peripheral nerve abnormalities. More recently, nerve sonography has also been shown to be of use in pediatrics. However, normative values for nerve size in children have been lacking. As such, the goal of this research was to establish normative data for cross sectional area (CSA) measurements of the median and ulnar nerves in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The median and ulnar nerves of 48 children ranging in age from 2 years to 17 years were imaged by ultrasound. CSA measurements were made at 2 separate sites for each nerve and measured independently by 6 pediatric radiologists. Reliability of ultrasound measurements between the radiologists was assessed by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients. Linear mixed-effects modeling was performed to develop prediction models for nerve cross sectional area for each nerve segment; 95% prediction values were generated from these models to approximate normal ranges. RESULTS: Agreement in nerve cross-sectional area measurements among the 6 radiologists for all nerve segments was good (ICC 0.82, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.85). CSA for both the median and ulnar nerves is larger in older children. However, statistical models to predict CSA using height perform better rather than those using a child's age. The range of normal nerve segment CSA using these prediction models based on child height are reported. CONCLUSION: Median and ulnar nerve CSA can be reliably measured with ultrasound. Normal reference values for ulnar and median nerve CSA correlate with patient age but may be more optimally determined based on a child's height.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The most frequent pancreatic cysts in patients of developmental age are pseudocysts, neoplastic cysts, posttraumatic cysts, and parasitic cysts. Retention cysts, duplication cysts, and congenital cysts are called true cysts. Among the true cysts, congenital cysts are very rare and include 1% of all pancreatic cysts. The finding of true congenital pancreatic cysts in children under 3 years represents a very rare event; less than 30 have been described in the literature. We describe the case of a 3-year-old male who came to our observation for abdominal pain and underwent an abdomen ultrasound examination. The ultrasound examination showed unilocular sub-centimeter cystic lesions, distributed throughout the pancreatic parenchyma. The patient was, therefore, not subjected to any treatment, and after a few days, the symptoms regressed spontaneously. This description probably represents the first case in the literature of "congenital multicystic disease" of the pancreas.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: Ultrasound-guided saline enema is highly successful in treating pediatric intussusception; however, early recurrence-within 48 hours-is possible. This study aimed to explore effective methods of reducing early recurrence. METHODS: This study included patients aged 0 to 14 years diagnosed with ileocolic intussusception with a symptom duration of <48 hours from January 2019 to March 2021. The patients were divided into control and intervention groups. All patients received successful treatment with ultrasound-guided saline enema; however, in patients treated before January 4, 2020 (control group), the intestinal fluid was drained immediately, and in patients treated after January 4, 2020 (intervention group), the intestinal fluid was drained after 15 minutes of intestinal pressure maintenance. Early recurrence rates of the groups were compared. RESULTS: Ileocolic intussusception was treated successfully by ultrasound-guided saline enema in 231 patients (116, control group;115, intervention group). The early recurrence rate in the intervention group (10%; 95% CI: 4.9-16.5) was numerically lower than that in the control group (19%; 95% CI: 12.3-27.3). No significant difference was observed in the number of recurrences per person between the groups (P = .448). Patients without early recurrence were older (P = .004) and received enemas of a shorter duration (P < .001) and lower pressure (P < .001) than patients without early recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining reduction pressure for 15 minutes after a successful ultrasound-guided saline enema may reduce the early recurrence of intussusception. A randomized controlled trial is needed because the intervention and control cohorts were most probably incomparable (due to the COVID-19 pandemic).

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The lateral sagittal brachial plexus block is the most used method for pediatric upper extremity surgery, whereas the applications of costoclavicular brachial plexus block are limited. This study aimed to compare the lateral sagittal and costoclavicular approaches for the ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block in pediatric patients. METHODS: Sixty pediatric patients aged 5-15 years undergoing hand or forearm surgery were randomly assigned to two groups. Group LS (n = 30) received ultrasound-guided lateral sagittal block, and Group CC (n = 30) received ultrasound-guided costoclavicular block. The block performing time, needling time, imaging time, needle visibility, number of passes, sensorial/motor block time, and postoperative pain scores were evaluated. RESULTS: The needling time (82.90 ± 28.17 seconds vs. 64.77 ± 28.11 seconds respectively, p = 0.004) and total block performance time (109.53 ± 29.75 seconds vs. 89.70 ± 29.98 seconds respectively, p = 0.005) were significantly longer in Group LS than in Group CC. However, there was no significant difference between the groups in imaging time, needle visibility, number of passes, sensorial/motor block time, and postoperative pain scores (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Costoclavicular and lateral sagittal brachial plexus blocks resulted in similar anesthetics effects. Moreover, the costoclavicular method can be a better alternative to lateral sagittal as it has a shorter block performance time.

RESUMEN

Enteric duplication cysts (EDCs) are rare congenital malformations of the children and can develop everywhere along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, being the ileum the most frequent localization. We herein present an unusual case of duplication cyst of ileal origin who show a tubular morphology and doesn't communicate with GI lumen. A 2-month-old boy was admitted to our hospital for investigation of an anechoic formation of the lower right abdomen for the surgical planning. The patient was asymptomatic. Ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed features of a cystic lesion. Laparoscopic surgery was performed and the cyst excised. Macroscopic examination and histologic findings confirmed the diagnosis of a enteric duplication cyst arising from the ileum. In a patient with an abdominal cystic mass, although asymptomatic, it's worth assessing the nature of the lesion and planning a surgery in order to avoid future complications. A correct use of diagnostic it's fundamental to identify the etiology and the characteristics of a cystic mass.

RESUMEN

Langerhans cell hyperplasia is a group of diseases characterized by the proliferation or dissemination of the Langerhans cell, which can come in the form of localized benign lesions, or extensive disseminated invasive neoplastic lesions. These lesions mainly invade the patient's bone. In this paper, we describe the case of a 3-year-old boy who was admitted to the pediatric department with sternum pain. Following a focused sternum ultrasound, a diagnosis was made of Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to confirm the prevalence of incidental cervical extension of normal thymus in children and adolescents undergoing neck ultrasound and describe the ultrasound appearance to minimize future misdiagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in a single institution. Thyroid and lower neck ultrasound images of the consecutive pediatric subjects between January 1, 2011 and September 30, 2017 were independently reviewed by 2 radiologists for the presence of cervical thymus. When identified on sonographic images, cervical thymus was described on the basis of echogenicity, location, and shape. RESULTS: In 278 consecutive cases, the 2 reviewers identified 105 (37.8%) and 103 (37.1%) cases respectively as having sonographically visible tissue in the expected location of cervical extension of the thymus. The internal echotexture was variable with 38.1% of cases being hypoechoic, 37.1% mixed, and 24.8% hyperechoic. Cervical extension of the thymus was most commonly (65.0%) to the left of the trachea or (30.9%) bilateral/anterior to the trachea; isolated right paratracheal thymus was uncommon. Thymic shape was variable: quadrilateral (30.9%), oval (29.9%), triangular (25.8%), and other (13.4%). The logistic regression model including age, gender, and BMI z-scores showed that, when controlled for sex and BMI z-scores, younger age was a predictor for the presence of cervical thymic extension (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Cervical thymic extension is sonographically visible as a soft tissue mass of variable appearance in about a third of children and adolescents undergoing neck ultrasonography with decreasing prevalence with age. Sonographically visible cervical thymic tissue is more common in younger patients.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Evaluation of undifferentiated pediatric abdominal pain presents a unique set of challenges, especially in the setting of inconclusive and limited diagnostic imaging. In this case report, a female child presented to the emergency department with persistent abdominal pain, normal lab studies, and unusual trans-abdominal pelvic ultrasound findings. Urgent exploratory laparoscopy was completed, demonstrating a torsed adnexa rotated around a very large, mature teratoma, with irregular masses consistent with fully developed teeth. Early recognition of atypical pediatric abdominal pain in the setting of equivocal diagnostic imaging findings and collaboration with surgical colleagues resulted in a positive outcome for this patient.

RESUMEN

The pediatric ultrasound measurement of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and aorta (AO) with the study of the collapsibility index (CI) and of IVC-to-AO ratio (IVC/AO) can provide clinicians in the acute care setting with information on abnormal volume status but one of the major limitations is a lack of reference normal values by body surface area (BSA) and age. The aim of this study was to provide reference ranges for the sonographic measurement of IVC, AO, and IVC/AO ratio in healthy Caucasian Italian children. METHODS: We enrolled prospectively 516 healthy Caucasian Italian children aged between 1 month and 16 years. Echocardiographic IVC and AO diameters were collected and presented separately for children aged ≤1 year and for children aged over 1 year. For children >1 year we categorized subjects into 3 years classes. CI and IVC/AO for the systolic aortic diameter were then calculated. For children over 1 year, age reference ranges were age-related or BSA-related; for children of ≤1 year, reference ranges were determined with their 90% confidence intervals regardless of age and of BSA. RESULTS: Tables and charts with reference ranges for all the echocardiographic measurements are presented for children aged >1 year according to age and BSA. The equations to obtain percentile and Z-score for each echocardiographic measurement are provided. The reference ranges for children aged ≤1 year are shown considering the small 90% confidence intervals for upper and lower limits. CI was 30% (SD 17%) in children >1 year and 36% (SD 16%) in children <1 year. IVC/AOs showed age-dependent values from 0.83 (SD 0.20) age <1 year to 1.22 (SD 0.31) in older subjects. CONCLUSIONS: We report reliable reference ranges for echocardiographic measurement of IVC, AO, CI, and IVC/AO for a Caucasian Italian healthy pediatric population.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: To identify success rates for radial artery cannulation in a pediatric critical care unit using either palpation or ultrasound guidance to cannulate the radial artery. METHODS: A prospective randomized comparative study of critically ill children who required invasive monitoring in a tertiary referral center was conducted. All patients were randomized by a stratified block of 4 to either ultrasound-guided or traditional palpation radial artery cannulation. The primary outcomes were the first attempt and total success rates. RESULTS: Eighty-four children were enrolled, with 43 randomized to the palpation technique and 41 to the ultrasound-guided technique. Demographic data between the groups were not significantly different. The total success and first attempt rates for the ultrasound-guided group were significantly higher than those for the palpation group (success ratio, 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-3.64; P = .018; and success ratio, 4.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.57-11.14; P = .004, respectively). The median time to success for the ultrasound-guided group was significantly shorter than that for the palpation group (3.3 versus 10.4 minutes; P < .001). Cannulation complications were lower in the ultrasound-guided group than the palpation group (12.5% versus 53.3%; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The ultrasound-guided technique could improve the success rate and allow for faster cannulation of radial artery catheterization in critically ill children.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Sensitive, specific, and safe bedside evaluation of brain perfusion is key to the early diagnosis, treatment, and improved survival of neonates with hypoxic ischemic injury. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (US) imaging is a novel imaging technique in which intravenously injected gas-filled microbubbles generate enhanced US echoes from an acoustic impedance mismatch. This article describes contrast-enhanced US imaging in 2 neonates with hypoxic ischemic injury and future directions on developing quantitative contrast-enhanced US techniques for improved characterization of perfusion abnormalities. The importance of studying the temporal evolution of brain perfusion in neonatal hypoxic ischemic injury is also highlighted.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Pediatric pneumonia can be complicated by necrotizing pneumonia or a parapneumonic effusion either in the form of an empyema or a clear effusion. Ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography represent well-established modalities for evaluation of complicated pediatric pneumonia. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was recently introduced and is gaining increasing acceptance in pediatric imaging. In this case series, we present our initial experience with both intravenous and intracavitary use of CEUS in children with complicated pneumonia. Intravenous CEUS accurately and confidently showed necrotizing pneumonia and delineated pleural effusions, whereas intracavitary CEUS accurately identified the chest catheter location and patency and showed the presence of loculations, suggesting the use of fibrinolytics.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: Early identification and quantification of bladder damage in pediatric patients with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) is crucial to guiding effective treatment and may affect the eventual clinical outcome, including progression of renal disease. We have developed a novel approach based on the convex hull to calculate bladder wall trabecularity in pediatric patients with CAKUT. The objective of this study was to test whether our approach can accurately predict bladder wall irregularity. METHODS: Twenty pediatric patients, half with renal compromise and CAKUT and half with normal renal function, were evaluated. We applied the convex hull approach to calculate T, a metric proposed to reflect the degree of trabeculation/bladder wall irregularity, in this set of patients. RESULTS: The average T value was roughly 3 times higher for diseased than healthy patients (0.14 [95% confidence interval, 0.10-0.17] versus 0.05 [95% confidence interval, 0.03-0.07] for normal bladders). This disparity was statistically significant (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that a convex hull-based procedure can measure bladder wall irregularity. Because bladder damage is a reversible precursor to irreversible renal parenchymal damage, applying such a measure to at-risk pediatric patients can help guide prompt interventions to avert disease progression.

Asunto(s)