Publications by authors named "Taranath A"

Article Synopsis
  • Morning glory disc anomaly (MGDA) is a rare eye condition that is usually identified through fundoscopy, but this study focuses on its MRI characteristics in pediatric cases.
  • Researchers analyzed MRI scans from 19 diagnosed MGDA patients, finding common features like funnel-shaped optic discs, abnormal tissue near the optic nerve, and changes in surrounding brain spaces.
  • The study highlights the importance of MRI in differentiating MGDA from other eye disorders, understanding the visual pathway, and ruling out related brain issues, suggesting a potential genetic link to the condition.
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Background: Acute appendicitis may present a diagnostic dilemma. The aim of this study was to review the accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of paediatric acute appendicitis.

Method: Ultrasound studies performed for investigation of appendicitis during 2015-2021 were retrieved from a tertiary paediatric hospital database and reviewed.

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In this article, we will discuss the essential MR imaging protocol required for the assessment of ocular abnormalities including malignancies. Then we will describe relevant anatomy, ocular embryogenesis, and genetics to establish a profound understanding of pathophysiology of the congenital ocular malformations. Finally, we will discuss pediatric ocular malignancies, benign mimics, and the most common congenital ocular malformations with case examples and illustrations and give tips on how to distinguish these entities on neuroimaging.

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Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition associated with multisystemic features including developmental anomalies of the anterior segment of the eye. Single nucleotide and copy number variants in the paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 () and forkhead box C1 () genes are associated with Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome as well as other CNS malformations. We determined the association between Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome and specific brain MR imaging neuroradiologic anomalies in cases with or without a genetic diagnosis.

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Background And Purpose: Although cardinal imaging features for the diagnostic criteria of the Dandy-Walker phenotype have been recently defined, there is a large range of unreported malformations among these patients. The brainstem, in particular, deserves careful attention because malformations in this region have potentially important implications for clinical outcomes. In this article, we offer detailed information on the association of brainstem dysgenesis in a large, multicentric cohort of patients with the Dandy-Walker phenotype, defining different subtypes of involvement and their potential clinical impact.

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Background: Currently, the primary management of ileocolic intussusception in children is usually by non-operative image-guided enema reduction. In most centres around the world especially in Australasia the predominant technique is the pneumatic reduction under fluoroscopic guidance. At our institution, we have been performing ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction since 2012.

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Kinesins are canonical molecular motors but can also function as modulators of intracellular signaling. KIF26A, an unconventional kinesin that lacks motor activity, inhibits growth-factor-receptor-bound protein 2 (GRB2)- and focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-dependent signal transduction, but its functions in the brain have not been characterized. We report a patient cohort with biallelic loss-of-function variants in KIF26A, exhibiting a spectrum of congenital brain malformations.

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Background And Purpose: The traditionally described Dandy-Walker malformation comprises a range of cerebellar and posterior fossa abnormalities with variable clinical severity. We aimed to establish updated imaging criteria for Dandy-Walker malformation on the basis of cerebellar development.

Materials And Methods: In this multicenter study, retrospective MR imaging examinations from fetuses and children previously diagnosed with Dandy-Walker malformation or vermian hypoplasia were re-evaluated, using the choroid plexus/tela choroidea location and the fastigial recess shape to differentiate Dandy-Walker malformation from vermian hypoplasia.

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Background: Perinatal and childhood postmortem imaging has been accepted as a noninvasive alternative or adjunct to autopsy. However, the variation in funding models from institution to institution is a major factor prohibiting uniform provision of this service.

Objective: To describe current funding models employed in European and non-European institutions offering paediatric postmortem imaging services and to discuss the perceived barriers to future postmortem imaging service provision.

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Article Synopsis
  • Ultrasound is the main tool for diagnosing hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS), but there’s a debate over the measurements used for diagnosis, which seem too large.
  • A study of 607 patients found significant differences in the pyloric canal's size and muscle thickness between normal infants and those with HPS, reinforcing the need for revised criteria.
  • The researchers suggest lowering the diagnostic thresholds, particularly the canal length from 16.0 mm to 10.0 mm, to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment.
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Aim: Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a term reserved to describe white matter injury in the premature brain. In this review article, the authors highlight the common and rare pathologies mimicking the chronic stage of PVL and propose practical clinico-radiological criteria that would aid in diagnosis and management.

Methods And Results: The authors first describe the typical brain MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) features of PVL.

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Background And Purpose: Pathogenic variants in the gene cause a distinctive arterial phenotype that has recently been described to be associated with brain malformation. Our objective was to further characterize gyral abnormalities in patients with pathogenic variants as per the 2020 consensus recommendations for the definition and classification of malformations of cortical development.

Materials And Methods: We performed a retrospective, multicentric review of patients with proved pathogenic variants, searching for the presence of malformations of cortical development.

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Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is an extremely rare connective tissue disease, diagnosed by genetic testing. This is the first report in English literature wherein an ultrasound examination suggested this specific diagnosis. In this case, a two month old girl presented with bi-parieto-occipital swellings that were being managed as subgaleal haematoma.

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Craniosynostosis is a condition of premature fusion of the cranial sutures. Multi-suture craniosynostosis has been found to be associated with a number of syndromes and underlying gene mutations. Tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) are a family of adaptor proteins interacting with cell surface receptors or other signalling molecules.

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Primary autosomal recessive microcephaly and Seckel syndrome spectrum disorders (MCPH-SCKS) include a heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive inherited diseases characterized by primary (congenital) microcephaly, the absence of visceral abnormalities, and a variable degree of cognitive impairment, short stature and facial dysmorphism. Recently, biallelic variants in the nuclear pore complex (NPC) component nucleoporin 85 gene (NUP85) were reported to cause steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). Here, we report biallelic variants in NUP85 in two pedigrees with an MCPH-SCKS phenotype spectrum without SRNS, thereby expanding the phenotypic spectrum of NUP85-linked diseases.

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Background: Upper gastrointestinal contrast study is considered the gold standard investigation to diagnose intestinal malrotation and midgut volvulus which is potentially devastating condition. Ultrasound imaging is an alternative but has been considered unreliable due to significant false negative results. At our institution we have been using ultrasound imaging as the first line investigation to diagnose malrotation since 2008 with a preliminary study of 139 patients published in 2014.

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Paediatric posterior fossa lesions can have much overlap in their clinical and radiological presentation. There are, however, a number of key imaging features that can help the reading radiologist to distinguish tumours from important tumour mimics which are often inflammatory or metabolic entities. This pictorial review provides a number of important cases that proved challenging on imaging and illustrates some common pitfalls when interpreting lesions in the posterior fossa in children.

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Article Synopsis
  • Periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNH) is a brain malformation linked to improperly migrated neurons, and the reasons behind posterior PNH are not clearly understood.
  • A case study of a fetus with significant posterior PNH revealed biallelic mutations in the LAMC3 gene, previously associated with other cortical issues but not PNH.
  • This suggests that LAMC3 mutations may play a role in posterior PNH, broadening the genetic understanding of this condition.
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Epidermal nevus syndrome (ENS) represents a diverse group of rare neurocutaneous diseases associated with the presence of characteristic epidermal nevi (EN) in the skin and extracutaneous manifestations in the eyes, skeletal, urogenital and central nervous systems. We present a case series of 7 children with ENS, with specific attention to the neuroradiological characteristics of this entity.

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Background: Postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in perinatal and childhood deaths is increasingly used as a noninvasive adjunct or alternative to autopsy. Imaging protocols vary between centres and consensus guidelines do not exist.

Objective: Our aim was to develop practical, standardised recommendations for perinatal postmortem MRI.

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The purpose of this article is to review the characteristic CT and MRI findings associated with monogenetic causes of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in children and young adults. Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in children and young adults remains a common cause of acquired disability but is underrecognized. Brain parenchymal and vascular imaging is commonly performed as part of the comprehensive evaluation of young patients presenting with stroke.

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