Optimization of hybrid iterative reconstruction level in pediatric body CT.

Objective: The objective of our study was to attempt to optimize the level of hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) in pediatric body CT.

Materials And Methods: One hundred consecutive chest or abdominal CT examinations were selected. For each examination, six series were obtained: one filtered back projection (FBP) and five HIR series (iDose(4)) levels 2-6.

Comparing bedside methods of determining placement of gastric tubes in children.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy and predictive validity of pH, bilirubin, and CO2 in identifying gastric tube placement errors in children.

Design And Methods: After the tube was inserted into 276 children, the CO2 monitor reading was obtained. Fluid was then aspirated to test pH and bilirubin.

Removal of comfort pads underneath babies: a method of reducing radiation exposure to neonates.

Rationale And Objectives: The recent increasing utilization of imaging has increased the population exposure to ionizing radiation. With increasing knowledge of the potential harm of radiation exposure, efforts should be made to minimize patient radiation whenever possible, especially in young children. The purpose of this study was to use the exposure index (EI) standard to assess the potential for reducing radiation dose to babies by removing a soft comfort pad, often placed underneath the baby.

Imatinib mesylate for plexiform neurofibromas in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1: a phase 2 trial.

Background: Plexiform neurofibromas are slow-growing chemoradiotherapy-resistant tumours arising in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Currently, there are no viable therapeutic options for patients with plexiform neurofibromas that cannot be surgically removed because of their proximity to vital body structures. We undertook an open-label phase 2 trial to test whether treatment with imatinib mesylate can decrease the volume burden of clinically significant plexiform neurofibromas in patients with NF1.

Severe lateral tibial bowing with short stature in two siblings--a provisionally novel syndrome.

In this report, we describe two siblings with short stature and severe lateral tibial bowing. In the younger sibling, the bowing was bilateral, while in the older sib, it was unilateral. However, both showed bilateral abnormalities of the distal tibial epiphyses and growth plates.

Marrow signal changes observed in follow-up whole-body MRI studies in children and young adults with neurofibromatosis type 1 treated with imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) for plexiform neurofibromas.

Background: We observed bone marrow signal changes (BMSC) in patients with plexiform neurofibromas after treatment with imatinib mesylate (Gleevec).

Objective: To evaluate the pattern and natural history of BMSC.

Materials And Methods: The data were obtained from a pilot study of imatinib mesylate in patients with plexiform neurofibromas.

Quality of communication: different patterns of reporting the location of the tip of a nasogastric tube.

Purpose: This investigation is part of a prospective National Institutes of Health-funded study evaluating three different methods for estimating the optimal length for placement of a new nasogastric (NG) tube. Abdomen radiographs were required to determine the location of the tube tip. Our objective was to analyze different methods by which the tube location was described in the radiology report of the abdominal radiographs, and the influence of the presence or absence of a relevant clinical history.

Comparing methods of determining insertion length for placing gastric tubes in children 1 month to 17 years of age.

Purpose: The purpose was to compare three methods of predicting the gastric tube insertion length in children 1 month to 17 years of age: age-related, height-based (ARHB); nose-ear-xiphoid (NEX); and nose-ear-mid-umbilicus (NEMU).

Design And Methods: The design was a randomized controlled trial. Children were randomly assigned to the ARHB, NEX, or NEMU groups.

Diagnostic errors from digital stitching of scoliosis images - the importance of evaluating the source images prior to making a final diagnosis.

Background: Digital methods are used for scoliosis imaging. Separate images of the thoracic and lumbar/sacral spine are acquired. These are then stitched into a single image.

Quality assurance: a comparison study of radiographic exposure for neonatal chest radiographs at 4 academic hospitals.

Background: Little is known about exposure differences among hospitals. Large differences might identify outliers using excessive exposure.

Objective: We used the newly described exposure index and deviation index to compare the difference in existing radiographic exposures for neonatal portable chest radiographs among four academic children's hospitals.

Comparison between transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients status post atrial switch procedure.

Objectives: This study compares image quality, cost, right ventricular ejection fraction analysis, and baffle visualization between transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in those status post atrial switch for transposition of the great arteries.

Background: This population requires imaging for serial evaluations. Transthoracic echocardiography is often first line but has drawbacks, many of which are addressed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Predicting the insertion length for gastric tube placement in neonates.

Objective: To compare error rates of three existing methods of predicting the gastric tube insertion length in a group of neonates <1 month corrected age: age-related, height-based (ARHB); direct distance nose-ear-xiphoid (NEX); and direct distance nose-ear-mid-umbilicus (NEMU).

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Five neonatal care units in a large midwestern city.

Accurate localization of the position of the tip of a naso/orogastric tube in children; where is the location of the gastro-esophageal junction?

Background: Abdominal radiographs are used to determine the location of the tip of a newly placed nasogastric tube. The precise location of the gastroesophageal junction has not been well described in the radiology literature.

Objective: To improve interpretation of radiographs taken to evaluate the location of the tip of a nasogastric tube.