Pulmonary anthracosis mimicking lung metastases in pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma

Although childhood rhabdomyosarcoma typically metastasizes to lungs, various processes may mimic metastatic etiology. Described herein is the case of an 8½‐year‐old boy with orbital embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RME) in whom three small foci were detected within both lungs on computed tomography. The lesion number and size, however, did not fulfil the Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Study Group 2006 protocol criteria for lung metastasis. Chemotherapy for localized RME produced primary tumor regression and vanishing of the left lung lesion. Two lesions in the right lung remained unchanged. On thoracoscopy multiple minute nodules disseminated in both lungs were detected. Histopathology excluded RME spread but indicated anthracosis in the lung parenchyma and intrapulmonary lymph nodes. Heavy smoking by parents and previous home furnace combustion appeared to be predisposing factors. Uncommon non‐malignant intrapulmonary diseases, including anthracosis, should be considered when staging pediatric cancer.     

Malignant mesothelioma with bone metastases

Malignant mesothelioma has rarely been reported to metastasize to bone. This is a report of a 71-year-old man who presented with pleural mesothelioma. After a course of chemotherapy, the patient developed lower back pain. Plain X-ray and bone scan were negative for metastases, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed multiple metastatic lesions to the thoracolumbar vertebrae. Subsequent lumbar spine biopsy confirmed the presence of malignant mesothelioma. The patient then received radiation therapy. This report illustrates an unusual presentation for malignant mesothelioma and shows that, in addition, when bone metastases are clinically suspected, MRI may be a useful adjunct to more conventional imaging approach.     

Comparison between bone marrow transplantation and antithymocyte globulin in treatment of young patients with severe aplastic anemia

Fifty-seven patients younger than 25 years with severe aplastic anemia underwent either bone marrow transplantation or antithymocyte globulin therapy (ATG) to ascertain which approach should be used in young patients. Thirty-five patients who had an HLA-identical sibling donor underwent bone marrow transplantation after conditioning with cyclophosphamide and low-dose total-body radiation. Twenty-two patients who did not have an HLA-identical donor received ATG. The 2-year actuarial survival of patients after transplant is 72% (95%, CI 64% to 80%), versus 45% (95%, CI 29% to 61%) in those given ATG therapy (P = 0.18). In those patients surviving 6 months after treatment, return of peripheral blood counts to normal values was more common in patients who received marrow transplant compared with those given ATG therapy (P less than 0.001). Furthermore, 24 of 26 transplant survivors had Karnofsky performance scores greater than 90%, compared with only five of 13 ATG survivors. These data suggest that bone marrow transplantation is the preferred therapy for severe aplastic anemia in young patients who have an HLA-identical sibling donor. ATG should be reversed for those young patients with severe aplastic anemia who do not have a histocompatible marrow donor.     

Radionuclide bone scan in neuroblastoma

A comparison of radionuclide bone scans with other methods of monitoring disease status was undertaken in a series of 51 children with neuroblastoma. The radionuclide bone scan was more accurate than either conventional radiographic studies or physical examination in localizing the primary tumor. When the extent of bony metastatic disease was evaluated, the bone scan and radiographic skeletal surveys were generally both positive, but the bone scan tended to show evidence of greater metastatic disease than radiographs.     

Anaplastic ependymoma with sclerotic bone metastases

Ependymomas are glial central nervous system (CNS) tumors that arise from the ependymal layer of brain and spinal cord. These are heterogeneous group of tumors with varied histopathological features and prognosis. They frequently relapse at the primary site and may disseminate to other CNS sites. Extraneural metastases are, however, extremely rare. We present a case of ependymoma in a child with widespread metastasis to her bones, a previously unreported event.     

Composite sarcoma of bone with focal rhabdomyosarcoma and lymph node metastasis in an adolescent

Composite sarcoma of bone is a very rare entity that primarily affects adolescent and young adult patients. It usually combines areas of liposarcoma and osteosarcoma, and up to 60% of cases have metastatic disease at diagnosis. It is a highly aggressive pathology with intrinsic resistance to bone sarcoma conventional treatments. The prognosis is poor, with long‐term survival rates not exceeding 30%. We present the case of an adolescent female diagnosed with an aggressive composite sarcoma of bone with rhabdomyosarcoma foci and loco‐regional lymph node involvement.     

核素骨扫描在视网膜母细胞瘤中的应用价值

目的 探讨全身核素骨扫描在视网膜母细胞瘤的转移及预后中的应用价值.方法 对2006年8月-2007年2月临床确诊为视网膜母细胞瘤(Rb)的36例患儿,在治疗前进行全身核索骨扫描,观察扫描结果与预后的关系.结果 36例患儿中死亡4例,其中3例为骨侵犯或转移,此3例中只有1例脑脊液中发现肿瘤细胞;随访时间10～18个月,甲均13.6个月.结论 视网膜母细胞瘤的骨转移发生率极低,核素骨扫描不建议作为其首选检查方法;针对晚期病例,核素骨扫描可以对转移和预后作出评估.     

Occult trauma mimicking metastases on bone scans in pediatric oncology patients

Background. Tracer-avid osseous lesions are usually considered to represent metastases in pediatric oncology patients. However, sites of minor, clinically occult, skeletal trauma may be mistaken for osseous metastases. Objective. The objective of this study was to review our experience with skeletal scintigraphy in pediatric oncology patients to determine specificity for metastatic disease. Materials and methods. We reviewed 164 bone scans performed on 96 consecutive patients (ages 5 months to 23 years) at presentation with malignancy or during chemotherapy. Tumors included osteosarcoma (13), Ewing sarcoma (11), lymphoma (19), neuroblastoma (12), brain tumors (16), rhabdomyosarcoma (10), renal tumors (5), and miscellaneous neoplasms (10). Scintigraphic abnormalities were considered metastatic based on radiographic findings, subsequent tumor progression, or multiplicity of lesions. Lesions were considered benign when spontaneous resolution occurred without change in therapy or radiographs demonstrated a traumatic or other benign lesion. Results. Of the 96 patients, 51 had normal studies or showed only the primary lesion. Of the 45 patients with abnormal scintigraphy, 16 (35 %) had metastases and 29 (65 %) had one or more focal benign lesions. These lesions included abnormalities due to stress/trauma (25), benign neoplasm (2), infection (3), disuse (6), surgery (10) and artifacts (4). Conclusion. The majority of scintigraphic abnormalities have nonmalignant etiologies, most commonly stress reaction and trauma. In patients without known extraosseous metastases, one or two skeletal lesions should not be assumed to represent metastatic disease. Received: 11 December 1995 Accepted: 28 June 1996     

Lymphangiography and bone scan in the study of lymphangiomatosis

Lymphangiomatosis is a rare congenital systemic lymphatic malformation involving multiple bones and other sites. A 12-year old boy with lymphangiomatosis was studied with lymphangiography and bone scan. Lymphangiogram demonstrated irregular pooling of contrast medium in both the mediastinal tumor and bones. Bone scan also revealed increased activity in areas which were not demonstrated radiographically.     

Comparison of radiography and radionuclide bone scanning in the detection of child abuse

The battered child syndrome consists of a constellation of signs that may be either apparent or covert. Radiographic documentation of unexplained or difficult-to-detect fractures is an important means of establishing a basis for legal intervention in child abuse. One hundred ten children were evaluated with either radiographic surveys or bone scans, and 50 children had both roentgenograms and bone scans. In 40% of the children there was at least one fracture whereas 20% had between two and seven fractures. Among the children who received both skeletal surveys and bone scans, 41 fractures were detected: skeletal survey detected 52% and bone scan detected 88% of those fractures. Children with fractures were more likely to be placed in foster homes than to be returned to the original environment. The presence of single v multiple fractures did not alter the probability of foster placement. It was concluded that fracture documentation is important in determining whether to place abused children in foster homes. Both skeletal surveys and radionuclide bone scanning had high false-negative values. When either test is initially negative and blatant signs of physical abuse are present, both tests should be performed to ensure the greatest probability of fracture detection.