Ultrasound shear wave elastography cannot discriminate between low- and high-pressure neurogenic bladders.

Background: Patients with neurogenic bladders are monitored with renal bladder ultrasounds and video urodynamics studies (VUDS) to assess upper urinary tract injury. Ultrasound shear wave elastography (US-SWE) can assess tissue stiffness. If bladder compliance is affected by bladder wall fibrosis and stiffening, then high-pressure bladders may be detectable by US-SWE therefore reducing the need for VUDS in some patients.

DTI of the kidney in children: comparison between normal kidneys and those with ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction.

Objective: To compare renal diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters in patients with or without ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction.

Methods: Patients that underwent functional MR urography (MRU) with renal DTI were retrospectively selected. Kidneys deemed normal on T2-weighted images and functional parameters were used as controls and compared to those kidneys with morphologic and functional findings of UPJ obstruction.

Supine versus prone positioning for ultrasound evaluation of postnatal urinary tract dilation in children.

Background: Ultrasound (US) is used in the initial evaluation and surveillance of urinary tract dilation in children. Urinary tract dilation is diagnosed in 1-2% of all pregnancies during routine prenatal sonography with technological advances in US imaging. Urinary tract dilation classification systems, including the 2014 multidisciplinary consensus, assess anterior-posterior renal pelvic diameter and calyceal dilation.

Morphologic and functional evaluation of duplicated renal collecting systems with MR urography: A descriptive analysis.

Purpose: To describe the morphology and function of duplicated collecting systems in pediatric patients undergoing functional MR urography (fMRU).

Methods: This is a HIPAA compliant IRB approved retrospective study of all patients with duplicated renal collecting systems undergoing fMRU at our institution between 2010 and 2017. Two pediatric radiologists evaluated the studies to determine the presence, morphology and function of duplicated collecting systems using both T2-weighted and dynamic post-contrast fat saturated T1-weighted images.

Assessment of normal jejunum with diffusion-weighted imaging on MRE in children.

Background: Diffusion restriction has been utilized as a marker for bowel inflammation on magnetic resonance enterography (MRE). However, diffusion restriction has been seen in otherwise normal appearing small bowel in patients without active inflammation, with little published data on this subject.

Objective: Assess diffusion restriction in normal loops of jejunum and to determine if there is a correlation to luminal distention, age, magnet field strength, slice thickness, and bowel segment location.

Ultrasound of congenital and inherited disorders of the pediatric hepatobiliary system, pancreas and spleen.

Ultrasound is often the initial imaging examination performed of the solid organs of the pediatric abdomen. The sonographic appearance of the hepatobiliary system, pancreas and spleen changes with growth and development. This article reviews the normal US appearance of these organs in children and illustrates, through case examples, congenital and inherited conditions that affect them.

Emergent ultrasound evaluation of the pediatric female pelvis.

Ultrasound is the primary imaging modality of the pediatric female pelvis and is often requested to evaluate girls with pelvic or abdominal pain or abnormal bleeding. The US interpretation can help guide the clinician toward medical or surgical management. Here we discuss the normal US anatomy of the female pelvis and illustrate, through case examples, conditions encountered when performing emergent pelvic US for common and uncommon clinical scenarios.