Ultrasound for Midgut Malrotation and Midgut Volvulus: Expert Panel Narrative Review.

Midgut volvulus in association with malrotation is a pediatric surgical emergency. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is necessary to avoid bowel ischemia and necrosis, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality. Historically, the fluoroscopic upper gastrointestinal series has been the preferred imaging modality for the evaluation of both midgut malrotation and volvulus, although the use of ultrasound (US) is increasing.

Development of a neonate X-ray phantom for 2D imaging applications using single-tone inkjet printing.

Purpose: Inkjet printers can be used to fabricate anthropomorphic phantoms by the use of iodine-doped ink. However, challenges persist in implementing this technique. The calibration from grayscale to ink density is complex and time-consuming.

Evaluation of a water-soluble contrast protocol for nonoperative management of pediatric adhesive small bowel obstruction.

Background/purpose: We examined outcomes before and after implementing an enteral water-soluble contrast protocol for management of pediatric adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO).

Methods: Medical records were reviewed retrospectively for all children admitted with ASBO between November 2010 and June 2017. Those admitted between November 2010 and October 2013 received nasogastric decompression with decision for surgery determined by surgeon judgment (preprotocol).

Portable abdomen radiography: moving to thickness-based protocols.

Background: Default pediatric protocols on many digital radiography systems are configured based on patient age. However, age does not adequately characterize patient size, which is the principal determinant of proper imaging technique. Use of default pediatric protocols by inexperienced technologists can result in patient overexposure, inadequate image quality, or repeated examinations.

Effect of comfort pads and incubator design on neonatal radiography.

Background: There has been increasing interest in patient dose reduction in neonatal intensive care units. Removing comfort pads for radiography has been identified as a potential means to decrease patient dose.

Objective: To assess the effect of comfort pads and support trays on detector entrance exposure (DEE) and image quality for neonatal radiography, and its implication for patient dose.

Progression-free survival of two cases of high-risk neuroblastoma with refractory/relapsed disease following surgery alone.

Outcome for the vast majority of high-risk neuroblastoma patients with refractory or relapsed disease is dismal. We report two high-risk patients who remain progression-free for more than 113 and 18 months following the diagnosis of refractory/relapsed disease who were treated with surgery alone. Complete resolution of a refractory thoracic mass and relapsed liver nodules was observed in one patient.

Reader variability in the use of diagnostic terms to describe white matter lesions seen on cranial scans of severely premature infants: the ELGAN study.

Purpose: To evaluate reader variability of white matter lesions seen on cranial sonographic scans of extreme low gestational age neonates (ELGANs).

Methods: In 1,452 ELGANs, cranial sonographic scans were obtained in the first and second postnatal weeks, and between the third postnatal week and term. All sets of scans were read independently by two sonologists.

Observer variability assessing US scans of the preterm brain: the ELGAN study.

Background: Neurosonography can assist clinicians and can provide researchers with documentation of brain lesions. Unfortunately, we know little about the reliability of sonographically derived diagnoses.

Objective: We sought to evaluate observer variability among experienced neurosonologists.

Splenic cyst presenting as severe hydronephrosis in a pediatric patient.

Large cystic abdominal masses can represent a diagnostic dilemma despite advanced diagnostic and imaging techniques. We report a case of a large cystic mass initially managed as a giant ureteropelvic junction obstruction, but ultimately found to be a congenital splenic cyst. Focus is placed on the diagnostic evaluation of large cystic abdominal masses.

Urethral polyp in asymptomatic male infant with prenatal hydronephrosis.

Congenital posterior urethral polyps are rare, benign lesions of the posterior urethra. We report a 1-day-old newborn boy with a solitary fibroepithelial posterior urethral polyp who presented with a history of prenatal mild hydronephrosis, subsequently associated with bladder wall thickening on ultrasonography.