Low-dose lung CT: Optimizing diagnostic radiation dose - A phantom study.

Background/purpose: To investigate a quantitative method for assessing image quality of low dose lung computed tomography (CT) and find the lowest exposure dose providing diagnostic images.

Methods: Axial volumetric lung CT acquisitions (256 slice scanner) were performed on three different sized anthropomorphic phantoms at different dose levels. The maximum steepness of sigmoid curves fitted to line density profiles was measured at lung-to-pleura interfaces.

Effects of Biologics on Temporomandibular Joint Inflammation in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

Objective: This prospective study investigates the efficacy of biologics in combination with methotrexate or leflunomide on juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)- related temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based inflammation score and deformity score.

Methods: A prospective single center observational cohort study of 18 consecutive patients were performed between September 2018- April 2023. Inclusion criteria were: 1) Diagnosis of JIA, 2) MRI-verified TMJ arthritis leading to treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi), 3) MRI at 6 and 24 months after treatment initiation, 4) clinical follow-up contemporary with the MRI by a pediatric rheumatologist and an orthodontist.

Magnetic resonance imaging of pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension is a rare but serious disease in children with potentially poor prognosis in the long term. Direct measurement of increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation requires right-heart catheterisation. Echocardiography is the imaging modality commonly used for suggesting the presence of pulmonary hypertension and estimating its severity.

Long-term trends in total administered radiation dose from brain [F]FDG-PET in children with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Purpose: To assess the trends in administered 2-[F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([F]FDG) doses, computed tomography (CT) radiation doses, and image quality over the last 15 years in children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) undergoing hybrid positron emission tomography (PET) brain scans.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from children with DRE who had [F]FDG-PET/CT or magnetic resonance scans for presurgical evaluation between 2005 and 2021. We evaluated changes in injected [F]FDG doses, administered activity per body weight, CT dose index volume (CTDIvol), and dose length product (DLP).

Technical Feasibility and Outcome of Cryoablation of Aneurysmal Bone Cysts in Pediatric Patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and imaging outcome of aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) in children using percutaneous cryoablation as the sole treatment.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 7 children with a mean age of 8.7 years (range, 3.

Accelerated cardiac magnetic resonance imaging using deep learning for volumetric assessment in children.

Background: Ventricular volumetry using a short-axis stack of two-dimensional (D) cine balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) sequences is crucial in any cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. This task becomes particularly challenging in children due to multiple breath-holds.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic performance of accelerated 3-RR cine MRI sequences using deep learning reconstruction compared with standard 2-D cine bSSFP sequences.

Possible effects of left pulmonary artery stenting in single ventricle patients on bronchial area, lung volume and lung function.

Background: Left pulmonary artery (LPA) stenting is often required in single ventricle (SV) patients. Due to their close anatomical relationship an LPA stent could potentially compress the left main bronchus (LMB). We assessed the impact of LPA stenting on bronchial size, pulmonary volumes, and lung function in a cohort of SV patients.

Artificial intelligence-based detection of paediatric appendicular skeletal fractures: performance and limitations for common fracture types and locations.

Background: Research into artificial intelligence (AI)-based fracture detection in children is scarce and has disregarded the detection of indirect fracture signs and dislocations.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of an existing AI-tool for the detection of fractures, indirect fracture signs, and dislocations.

Materials And Methods: An AI software, BoneView (Gleamer, Paris, France), was assessed for diagnostic accuracy of fracture detection using paediatric radiology consensus diagnoses as reference.

Pediatric Cardiovascular Computed Tomography: Clinical Indications, Technique, and Standardized Reporting. Recommendations From the Cardiothoracic Taskforce of the European Society of Pediatric Radiology.

Congenital heart diseases affect 1% of all live births in the general population. The prognosis of these children is increasingly improving due to advances in medical care and surgical treatment. Imaging is also evolving rapidly to assess accurately complex cardiac anomalies prenatally and postnatally.

A third of the radiotracer dose: two decades of progress in pediatric [F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT and PET/MR imaging.

Objectives: To assess the evolution of administered radiotracer activity for F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT or PET/MR in pediatric patients (0-16 years) between years 2000 and 2021.

Methods: Pediatric patients (≤ 16 years) referred for 18F-FDG PET/CT or PET/MR imaging of the body during 2000 and 2021 were retrospectively included. The amount of administered radiotracer activity in megabecquerel (MBq) was recorded, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was measured in the right liver lobe with a 4 cm volume of interest as an indicator for objective image quality.

Flow evaluation software for four-dimensional flow MRI: a reliability and validation study.

Purpose: Four-dimensional time-resolved phase-contrast cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (4D flow MRI) enables blood flow quantification in multiple vessels, which is crucial for patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). We investigated net flow volumes in the ascending aorta and pulmonary arteries by four different postprocessing software packages for 4D flow MRI in comparison with 2D cine phase-contrast measurements (2D PC).

Material And Methods: 4D flow and 2D PC datasets of 47 patients with biventricular CHD (median age 16, range 0.

Does Magnetic Resonance Imaging Distinguish Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis From Other Causes of Progressive Temporomandibular Joint Destruction?

Purpose: Similarities in initial presentations of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement from juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), idiopathic condylar resorption, and other forms of progressive TMJ destruction in children create diagnostic confusion. Treatment pathways, however, depend on determination of etiology. The purpose of this study was to compare TMJ magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of patients with joint degeneration localized to the TMJs to those with JIA and TMJ involvement.

Postnatal cerebral hemodynamics in infants with severe congenital heart disease: a scoping review.

Patients with severe congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk for impaired neurodevelopment. Cerebral blood supply may be diminished by congenital anomalies of cardiovascular anatomy and myocardial function. The aim of this scoping review was to summarize the current knowledge on cerebral hemodynamics in infants with severe CHD.

Signal Thresholding Segmentation of Ventricular Volumes in Young Patients with Various Diseases-Can We Trust the Numbers?

In many cardiac diseases, right and left ventricular volumes in systole and diastole are diagnostically and prognostically relevant. Measurements are made by segmentation of the myocardial borders on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images. Automatic detection of myocardial contours is possible by signal thresholding techniques, but must be validated before use in clinical settings.

Feasibility of Non-Gated Dynamic Fetal Cardiac MRI for Identification of Fetal Cardiovascular Anatomy.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of identifying the fetal cardiac and thoracic vascular structures with non-gated dynamic balanced steady-state free precession (SSFP) MRI sequences.

Methods: We retrospectively assessed the visibility of cardiovascular anatomy in 60 fetuses without suspicion of congenital heart defect. Non-gated dynamic balanced SSFP sequences were acquired in three anatomic planes of the fetal thorax.

Quantitative evaluation of aortic valve regurgitation in 4D flow cardiac magnetic resonance: at which level should we measure?

Purpose: To find the best level to measure aortic flow for quantification of aortic regurgitation (AR) in 4D flow CMR.

Methods: In 27 congenital heart disease patients with AR (67% male, 31 ± 16 years) two blinded observers measured antegrade, retrograde, net aortic flow volumes and regurgitant fractions at 6 levels in 4D flow: (1) below the aortic valve (AV), (2) at the AV, (3) at the aortic sinus, (4) at the sinotubular junction, (5) at the level of the pulmonary arteries (PA) and (6) below the brachiocephalic trunk. 2D phase contrast (2DPC) sequences were acquired at the level of PA.

Neonatal cardiorespiratory imaging-a multimodality state-of-the-art review.

Advanced cardiorespiratory imaging of the chest with ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important role in diagnosing respiratory and cardiac conditions in neonates when radiography and echocardiography alone are not sufficient. This pictorial essay highlights the particularities, clinical indications and technical aspects of applying chest US, cardiac CT and cardiorespiratory MRI techniques specifically to neonates, summarising the first session of the European Society of Paediatric Radiology's cardiothoracic task force.

Management of Orofacial Manifestations of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Interdisciplinary Consensus-Based Recommendations.

Involvement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is common in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). TMJ arthritis can lead to orofacial symptoms, orofacial dysfunction, and dentofacial deformity with negative impact on quality of life. Management involves interdisciplinary collaboration.

Assessment of lung density in pediatric patients using three-dimensional ultrashort echo-time and four-dimensional zero echo-time sequences.

Purpose: Lung magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using conventional sequences is limited due to strong signal loss by susceptibility effects of aerated lung. Our aim is to assess lung signal intensity in children on ultrashort echo-time (UTE) and zero echo-time (ZTE) sequences. We hypothesize that lung signal intensity can be correlated to lung physical density.

Preliminary experience with black bone magnetic resonance imaging for morphometry of the mandible and visualisation of the facial skeleton.

Background: Children with orofacial deformity may require repeated imaging of the facial skeleton.

Objective: To test the feasibility and accuracy of "black bone" magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessing facial deformity in children.

Materials And Methods: Three-dimensional (3-D) black bone gradient echo sequences (flip angle 5°, submillimetre spatial resolution) from 10 children (median age: 13 years, range: 2-16 years), who underwent MRI of the temporomandibular joints, were evaluated with multiplanar reconstruction and 3-D rendering tools.

High Variability of Right Ventricular Volumes and Function in Adults with Severe Pulmonary Regurgitation Late After Tetralogy of Fallot Repair.

Our aim was to assess changes of right ventricular end-diastolic volumes (RVEDVi) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) in asymptomatic adults with repaired tetralogy of Fallot, with native right ventricular outflow tract and severe pulmonary regurgitation by serial cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). The study included 23 asymptomatic adults who underwent ≥3 CMR studies (total of 88 CMR studies). We compared changes in RVEDVi and RVEF between first and last study (median follow-up: 8.

Assessing the Reliability of the OMERACT Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Magnetic Resonance Scoring System for Temporomandibular Joints (JAMRIS-TMJ).

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains the most comprehensive modality to assess juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-related inflammation and osteochondral damage in the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). This study tested the reliability of a new JIA MRI scoring system for TMJ (JAMRIS-TMJ) and the impact of variations in calibration and reader specialty. Thirty-one MRI exams of bilateral TMJs were scored independently using the JAMRIS-TMJ by 20 readers consisting of radiologists and non-radiologist clinicians in three reading groups, with or without a calibrating atlas and/or tutorial.

Myocardial Deformation in Fontan Patients Assessed by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking: Correlation with Function, Clinical Course, and Biomarkers.

Cardiac MR (CMR) is a standard modality for assessing ventricular function of single ventricles. CMR feature-tracking (CMR-FT) is a novel application enabling strain measurement on cine MR images and is used in patients with congenital heart diseases. We sought to assess the feasibility of CMR-FT in Fontan patients and analyze the correlation between CMR-FT strain values and conventional CMR volumetric parameters, clinical findings, and biomarkers.

Ultra-low-dose lung multidetector computed tomography in children - Approaching 0.2 millisievert.

Purpose: To compare objective and subjective parameters in image quality and radiation dose of two MDCTs (helical 64 detector CT vs. axial 256 detector CT) in paediatric lung CT.

Methods: Radiation dose and image quality were compared between non-enhanced lung CT from a helical 64-slice multidetector CT (MDCT 1) and a 256-slice scanner (MDCT 2) with axial wide-cone acquisition and using deep learning image reconstruction.

Imaging findings of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated with COVID-19.

Background: A hyperinflammatory immune-mediated shock syndrome has been recognised in children exposed to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Objective: To describe typical imaging findings in children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19.

Materials And Methods: During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, imaging studies and clinical data from children treated for multisystem inflammatory syndrome were collected from multiple centres.