CNS and spinal tumors.

Primary CNS tumors consist of a diverse group of neoplasms originating from various cell types in the CNS. Brain tumors are the most common solid malignancy in children under the age of 15 years and the second leading cause of cancer death after leukemia. The most common brain neoplasms in children differ consistently from those in older age groups.

Multiplanar reconstructed CT images increased depiction of intracranial hemorrhages in pediatric head trauma.

Introduction: The benefits of multiplanar reconstructed images (MPR) of unenhanced axial head computed tomography (CT) data have not been established in trauma patients younger than 3 years old, a population in which a reliable history and physical examination may be most difficult. We retrospectively evaluated unenhanced head CTs in pediatric trauma patients to investigate the various benefits of MPR in this age group.

Methods: A total of 221 unenhanced head CTs performed for any case of head trauma (HT) on children younger than 3 years old were independently reviewed by two radiologists.

Neurofibromas with imaging characteristics resembling vascular anomalies.

Objective: Although neurofibromas are rare, their initial clinical and imaging presentation can mimic those of vascular anomalies, particularly if the characteristic clinical features of neurofibromatosis are not present. The diagnostic challenges encountered in five cases of histologically proven neurofibromas, initially diagnosed as vascular anomalies, are reviewed and discussed.

Conclusion: The clinical and imaging differences between neurofibromas and vascular anomalies are detailed with the histopathologic features to better understand why some neurofibromas are diagnosed as vascular anomalies.

Retained surgical stents as a cause of biliary obstruction in pediatric liver transplants.

Background: Small-caliber plastic stents are sometimes placed across the hepaticojejunostomy in liver transplant recipients at the time of biliary reconstruction. These stents usually pass spontaneously, but they can be retained and, rarely, this may cause biliary obstruction.

Objective: The purpose of this paper is twofold: to describe the appearance of biliary tract obstruction caused by retained surgical stents in pediatric liver transplants, and to report how these stents can be removed using interventional radiology techniques.

Long-term central venous access in pediatric patients at high risk: conventional versus antibiotic-impregnated catheters.

Purpose: To study selective use of antibiotic-impregnated catheters in children at increased risk of venous catheter-related infections (CRIs).

Materials And Methods: From December 2008 to June 2009, 428 peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) were placed by the interventional radiology service of a large metropolitan children's hospital. This retrospective study analyzed demographic and outcome data for the 125 patients in this group at high risk for venous CRI.

Outcome of children with metastatic medulloblastoma treated with carboplatin during craniospinal radiotherapy: a Children's Oncology Group Phase I/II study.

Purpose: We evaluated the feasibility of administering carboplatin as a radiosensitizer during craniospinal radiation therapy (CSRT) to patients with high-risk medulloblastomas (MBs) and supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors, and we report the outcome in the subset with metastatic (M+) MB.

Patients And Methods: After surgery, patients received 36 Gy CSRT with boosts to sites of disease. During radiation, patients received 15 to 30 doses of carboplatin (30-45 mg/m(2)/dose), along with vincristine (VCR) once per week for 6 weeks.

Idiopathic acute transverse myelitis in children: an analysis and discussion of MRI findings.

Background: There is lack of reported magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of idiopathic acute transverse myelitis (ATM) in children.

Objective: To describe the imaging features of idiopathic ATM in children.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the spinal MRI findings of children diagnosed with ATM.

Transgluteal approach for draining pelvic fluid collections in pediatric patients.

Purpose: To evaluate a transgluteal approach for draining pelvic fluid collections in pediatric patients.

Materials And Methods: Institutional review board approval and informed consent for interventional procedures were obtained. From September 1995 to December 2002, 140 abdominopelvic fluid collections were drained at two institutions.

CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy in children.

Purpose: To describe techniques and evaluate outcomes of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous lung biopsy in children.

Materials And Methods: Between April 1992 and June 2003, 64 patients (32 male, 32 female) with a mean age of 10.8 years (0.

Oropharyngeal fetus in fetu.

Fetus in fetu is an extremely rare entity and refers to the growth of a "parasitic" twin within a more mature fetus due to its inclusion within cells of the blastocyst. The presence of a vertebral column is considered essential for the diagnosis of a fetus in fetu. The retroperitoneum is the most common location for a fetus in fetu and its location in the mouth is rare.

Transmural migration of gastrostomy tube retention discs.

Background: Accidental dislodgment is one of the most frequent causes of avoidable cost and consternation related to gastrostomy tubes. The Sacks-Vine gastrostomy tube, inserted in an antegrade fashion by a percutaneous technique, is extremely stable due to the construction of its disc retention device. However, transmural migration of the retention disc is a known severe delayed complication associated with this tube.

Preradiation chemotherapy in primary high-risk brainstem tumors: phase II study CCG-9941 of the Children's Cancer Group.

Purpose: This Children's Cancer Group group-wide phase II trial evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of two chemotherapy arms administered before hyperfractionated external-beam radiotherapy (HFEBRT).

Patients And Methods: Thirty-two patients with newly diagnosed brainstem gliomas were randomly assigned to regimen A and 31 to regimen B. Regimen A comprised three courses of carboplatin, etoposide, and vincristine; regimen B comprised cisplatin, etoposide, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine.