Mesenteric lymph nodes in children: what is normal?

Background: Enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) are frequently seen in children with abdominal pain and, in the absence of other disorders, have been attributed to primary mesenteric lymphadenitis. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of enlarged MLN (short axis 5 mm) as detected by abdominal CT in children with a low likelihood for mesenteric lymphadenopathy. Materials and methods: During a 14-month period, we identified all non-contrast abdominal CT examinations performed at a tertiary care pediatric hospital for evaluation of suspected or known renal stones. Two radiologists reviewed the examinations and recognized all enlarged MLN, measured the short-axis diameter, and noted the quadrant location. Results: Sixty-one children were identified who met entry criteria; mean age was 10.7 years (range 1.1–17.3 years). Enlarged MLN were found in 33 (54%) of the 61 children; the largest enlarged MLN was most frequently in the right lower quadrant (RLQ) (29 of 33, 88%). Seventeen of the 61 children (28%) had three or more enlarged MLN; all were in the RLQ. The largest short-axis diameter measured was 10 mm. Summary: MLN with a short-axis diameter of >5–10 mm are commonly found on abdominal CT examination of children with a low likelihood for mesenteric lymphadenopathy and should be considered a non-specific finding. A short-axis diameter of 8 mm might better define the upper limit of normal mesenteric lymph node size in children.     

Evaluation of abdominal lymphadenopathy in children by ultrasonography

Background. There may be uncertainty as to whether enlarged abdominal lymph nodes (LNs) in children are normal or abnormal. Objective. To compare, by ultrasonography (US), enlarged abdominal LNs in healthy children with those in children with acute abdominal pain or acute gastroenteritis. Materials and methods. One hundred and twenty-two asymptomatic children were selected by questionnaire and compared with 44 children with acute abdominal pain of unknown origin and 27 children with acute gastroenteritis. The number of LNs, their location, their shape and the presence of tenderness as detected by finger compression of each LN were evaluated. The children were divided into four groups according to age: 0–2, 3–6, 7–10, and 11–15 years. Results. LNs were detected in the ileo-caecal and/or para-aortic areas in almost all of the asymptomatic children. The number of large LNs ( > 10 mm) in the para-aortic areas was higher in the older children (≥ 7 years of age) than in the younger children ( ≤ 6 years of age) (P < 0.05). The number of spindle-shaped LNs (ratio of long- to short-axis diameter ≥ 2.0) was increased in the older children. The number of LNs was not increased in the children with acute abdominal pain. The size of the LNs was largest in the children with acute gastroenteritis, followed by the children with acute abdominal pain and the asymptomatic children (P < 0.001). Although the shape of the LNs was no different among the three groups of children, the frequency of round-shaped LNs (ratio of long- to short-axis diameter < 2.0) was greater in the older children with acute abdominal pain or acute gastroenteritis than in the asymptomatic children (P < 0.01). The number of LNs with tenderness detected by finger compression was significantly greater in the children with acute abdominal pain and acute gastroenteritis than in the asymptomatic children (P < 0.0001). Conclusion. The number of large and round-shaped LNs with tenderness tended to be increased in the children with acute gastroenteritis and acute abdominal pain. There is no clear specificity of LN enlargement in the children with acute abdominal pain, and the main challenge is to diagnose or estimate the organic pathology by US, regardless of the presence of lymphadenopathy. Received: 15 January 1997 Accepted: 23 June 1997     

Mesenteric lymphadenopathy in children examined by US for chronic and/or recurrent abdominal pain

Background Children with recurrent abdominal pain often undergo US to confirm or exclude organic disease.Objective To assess the prevalence of mesenteric lymphadenopathy on US in these children.Materials and methods We prospectively studied 189 children with recurrent abdominal pain with US of the abdomen, using graded compression. The results were compared with 73 children in a control group. The children in both groups were divided into three age groups. The size, number, morphology and location of mesenteric lymph nodes were noted, as well as additional findings. Pediatricians followed the patients from 3 months to 1 year, and a repeat US study was done in 30 children.Results Mesenteric lymphadenopathy was present in 116 of 189 children (61.4%), with the greatest prevalence in boys in the younger age groups. The location of the nodes was mainly in the right lower quadrant. In the control group, 7 of 73 children had mesenteric lymphadenopathy, a significantly lower prevalence than in the study group (P<0.001). Additional findings, apart from lymphadenopathy, were present in 27 (14.2%) of the 189 children in the study group, and in 5 (6.8%) of the 73 children in the control group.Conclusion Mesenteric lymphadenopathy is a common, and often the only abnormal, finding on US in children with recurrent abdominal pain.The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, is affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University     

Comparison of ultrasound with plain radiography and CT for the detection of mediastinal lymphadenopathy in children with tuberculosis

Background: Lymphadenopathy, with or without parenchymal abnormality, is the radiological hallmark of primary tuberculosis (TB) in children. However, lymph node enlargement may pass undetected on plain chest radiographs. Ultrasonography provides complementary information to that obtained by radiographs. Objective: To assess the clinical value of US for the detection of mediastinal lymphadenopathy in children with a positive intradermal tuberculin test. Materials and methods: Thirty-two children with a mean age of 6 years and a positive Mantoux test underwent chest radiography (frontal and lateral) and US (suprasternal and left parasternal access routes). Chest CT was performed at the discretion of the attending physician in six cases. Results: Eleven children had clinical symptoms and 90% a recent contact with a person with active TB. In 90.5% of children with chest radiographic images compatible with TB, coincident findings in the mediastinal US study were found. By comparison, 66.7% of those with normal chest radiography had evidence of mediastinal lymphadenopathy on the US scan. In all cases but one, US and CT findings agreed. Conclusions: Mediastinal US is useful for the detection of enlarged lymph nodes in children with a positive tuberculin reaction and normal chest radiography.     

Harmonic US imaging of appendicitis in children

Background Harmonic imaging (HI), a relatively new ultrasound modality, was initially reported to be of use only in obese adult patients. HI increases the contrast and spatial resolution resulting in artefact-free images, and has been shown in adults to significantly improve abdominal sonography. Regarding its application in paediatric patients, just a handful reports exist and these do not encompass its use in intestinal sonography. Objective To compare the sonomorphological image quality of HI and fundamental imaging (FI, conventional grey-scale imaging) in the diagnosis of histologically confirmed appendicitis in children. Materials and methods For this prospective comparative study, 50 children (male/female 25/25; mean age 9.9 years) suspected of having appendicitis were recruited. In all patients US examination of the appendix and periappendiceal region was performed preoperatively and appendectomy carried out. The final diagnosis was based on histological examination of the appendix. Both FI and HI were used in the US examination (tissue harmonic imaging, THI; Sonoline Elegra, Siemens; 7.5 MHz linear transducer). A detailed comparison of the images from FI and HI was performed using a scoring system. The parameters compared included delineation of the appendiceal contour, wall, mucosa, contents of the appendix and surrounding tissues. Furthermore, periappendiceal findings such as mesenteric echogenicity, free fluid, lymph nodes and adjacent bowel wall thickening were compared. Results In 43 children (86%) acute appendicitis was histologically confirmed. The inflamed appendix could be depicted in the HI and FI modes in 93% and 86%, respectively. HI was found to be significantly better for the depiction of the outer contour, wall, mucosa and contents of the appendix (P<0.01). This was also true for the demonstration of free fluid, mesenteric lymph nodes, adjacent bowel walls and mesenteric echogenicity. Conclusion HI should be the preferred modality for scanning the right lower abdomen in suspected acute appendicitis. The diagnosis of acute appendicitis can then be more definitely ascertained.     

Imaging of acute appendicitis: US as the primary imaging modality

Background: The investigation of the acute abdomen in infants and children has evolved during the last two decades, placing imagers at the forefront of the evaluation and diagnosis of acute right lower quadrant abdominal problems. US and CT have recently been shown to be equally accurate in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, but not everyone agrees. Objective: To demonstrate the efficacy of triaging patients with acute abdominal problems that suggest appendicitis with US as the primary imaging modality. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the prospective imaging diagnoses in 622 children who presented to our emergency room (ER) and clinics with acute abdominal symptoms suggestive of appendicitis. We documented whether US or CT was performed and noted the diagnoses made. All of the patients had plain films. In addition, all patients undergoing surgical appendectomy during this time were also documented so as not to miss any cases of appendicitis. None was missed. Results: There were 622 consecutive patients in our study. Three patients, diagnosed as normal, were eventually excluded because of lack of follow-up. In all, 152 patients were evaluated clinically and with plain films only. They were not subject to surgical exploration or further imaging. None returned with appendicitis. Eighty-one patients were directly subject to laparotomy after clinical and plain film evaluation. Of these patients, 20% had a normal appendix. Of the remaining 389 patients, 386 had US and three had CT alone. Four patients had both CT and US because of an inconclusive US examination. Three patients had CT alone because of their size. In total, 137 patients were diagnosed with appendicitis with US and/or CT. Four of these patients (3%) had normal appendices. Forty-two patients (less three lost to follow-up) were diagnosed as normal, and none returned with findings of appendicitis. Nine others had conditions other than acute appendicitis. Three had surgically proven, nonrelated conditions, and of the other six, one had pancreatitis and five nonsurgical adnexal problems. In all, 201 patients were diagnosed (with US) with mesenteric adenitis–enteritis, and none returned with findings of appendicitis. Conclusion: We attained a high degree of diagnostic accuracy in patients presenting with findings suggestive of appendicitis using US as the primary imaging modality. Our false-positive appendectomy rate was 3%. Therefore, triage of the acute abdomen with US supported by CT when required has considerable merit, especially when considering that US is noninvasive and does not use ionizing radiation.     

Peripheral lymphadenopathy in childhood--recommendations for diagnostic evaluation

BACKGROUND: Enlargement of peripheral lymph nodes most commonly caused by a local inflammatory process is frequently seen in childhood. The aim of the present study was to analyze the most common causes of peripheral lymphadenopathy and to develop a simple algorithm for the primary diagnostic evaluation of peripheral lymph node enlargement in this age group. PATIENTS: Between April and September 1999 87 unselected children (median age: 5 1/2 years) with peripheral lymphadenopathy were referred to the Department of Pediatrics, University of Graz, for further investigation. RESULTS: EBV infection was diagnosed in 20 (23.0%) children. 19 (21.8%) patients had acute bacterial lymphadenitis. In 21 (24.1%) patients lymph node enlargement was classified as "post/parainfectious (viral)". Four patients each had toxoplasmosis and cat scratch disease. In 11 (12.6%) patients neither physical nor laboratory examinations revealed pathologic results. Among the remaining 8 children sarcoidosis and Hodgkin disease was diagnosed in one patient each. Small, soft, mobile, nontender, cervical, axillary or inguinal lymph nodes do not require further investigations. In case of enlarged, tender lymph nodes with overlying skin erythema and fever diagnostic evaluation should include complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and/or c-reactive protein level, supplemented by appropriate antibody testing (EBV, CMV, Toxoplasma gondii, Bartonella henselae). Firm, enlarged, painless lymph nodes which are matted together and fixed to the skin or underlying tissues necessitate a more detailed diagnostic evaluation in order to exclude malignant or granulomatous diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that primary diagnostic evaluation of childhood peripheral lymphadenopathy is mainly based on clinical grounds. In most cases a small number of additionally performed laboratory tests allow to correctly identify the cause of the peripheral lymph node enlargement.     

Mycobacterium fortuitum-chelonae complex infection in a child with complete interleukin-12 receptor beta 1 deficiency

A 10-year-old boy had chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, severe weight loss and hepatomegaly; multiple enlarged para-aortic and mesenteric lymph nodes. Mycobacterium fortuitum-chelonae complex was identified in the culture of the lymph nodes. Interleukin-12 receptor beta 1 expression could not be observed in phytohemagglutinin-driven T cell blasts. A homozygous missense interleukin-12 receptor beta 1 mutation was found (R173P).     

A case of mesenteric cysts caused by abdominal tuberculosis.

We report on a 10-year old boy suffering from chronic abdominal pain. Clinical examination and imaging modalities revealed that the patient had mesenteric cysts. Exploratory laparotomy revealed two mesenteric cysts of various size and multiple enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. M. tuberculosis was identified and histology of the specimens proved the existence of abdominal tuberculosis.     

Para-aortic Lymphadenopathy Associated with Kawasaki Disease

Background

Kawasaki disease is an acute vasculitis that occurs mainly in children. Cervical lymphadenopathy is one of the major presenting manifestations of Kawasaki disease. We report a case of Kawasaki disease with para aortic lymphadenopathy, as an unusual feature in this disease.

Case Presentation

This 2.5 year old girl presented with persistent high grade fever, erythematous rash, bilateral non purulent conjunctivitis, red lips, and edema of extremities. Laboratory results included an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, leukocytosis, anemia, and positive C-reactive protein. On second day after admission she developed abdominal pain. Ultrasonography of abdomen revealed multiple lymph nodes around para aortic area, the largest measuring 12mm×6mm. Treatment consisted of aspirin and high dose intravenous γ-globulin. Ultrasonography and CT scan of abdomen performed one week later showed disappearance of the lymph nodes.

Conclusion

There are few previous reports of lymphadenopathy in unusual sites such as mediastinum in Kawasaki disease. Para aortic lymph nodes enlargement might be an associated finding with acute phase of Kawasaki disease. In these patients a close observation and ultrasonographic follow up will prevent unnecessary further investigation.     

Comparing axillary and mediastinal lymphadenopathy on CT in children with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis

Background: Radiographic demonstration of mediastinal lymphadenopathy is important for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Plain radiographs are unreliable for this and CT, which is relatively more expensive and carries a high radiation burden, remains the gold standard. No studies correlating the presence of axillary with mediastinal lymphadenopathy have been reported. Such a correlation would allow for clinical or ultrasound diagnosis of PTB via the axilla. Objective: To correlate the presence of axillary lymphadenopathy with mediastinal lymphadenopathy in children with suspected PTB. Materials and methods: CT scans were performed and reviewed in 100 children (prospectively recruited) with suspected PTB. The axilla and mediastinum were reviewed separately by covering the non-relevant sections on the CT scans prior to reading. Only nodes greater than 1 cm were regarded as pathological. Results: Mediastinal lymphadenopathy was present in 46% of children; 70% had lymphadenopathy in either axilla. Bilateral axillary lymphadenopathy was identified in 47%. Axillary lymphadenopathy showed a sensitivity of 74% and a specificity of 33% for the presence of mediastinal adenopathy. Bilateral axillary adenopathy had a sensitivity of 50% and a specificity of 56%. Conclusions: Axillary lymphadenopathy has a moderate sensitivity and low specificity for the presence of mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy in children with suspected PTB. Further research should be aimed at correlating ultrasound-detected axillary lymphadenopathy with FNA results in children.Presented at 41st Annual Congress of The European Society of Paediatric Radiology, Heidelberg, Germany, June 2004.     

Clinical spectrum of acute abdominal pain in Turkish pediatric patients: A prospective study

Abstract Background : The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence, associated symptoms, and clinical outcomes of children with acute abdominal pain who had been admitted to an emergency department. Methods : Children aged between 2 and 16 years who presented to the emergency department of Cerrahpa?a Medical School, Istanbul University between July 2001 and August 2002 with acute abdominal pain were enrolled in this study. A questionnaire was completed each patient admitted to our pediatric emergency unit for acute abdominal pain. Data collected included presenting signs and symptoms, the hospital follow up for all children who returned within 10 days, test results, and telephone follow up. Results : The number of children referred to the emergency department was 7442, with 399 (5.4%) of these having acute abdominal pain. The mean age of the study population was 6.9 ± 3.5 years, and 201 of the patients were male. The five most prevalent diagnoses were: (i) upper respiratory tract infection and/or complicated with otitis media or sinusitis (23.7%); (ii) abdominal pain with uncertain etiology (15.4%); (iii) gastroenteritis (15.4%); (iv) constipation (9.4%); and (v) urinary tract infection (8%). The most common associated symptoms were decreased appetite, fever and emesis. Because of follow‐up deficiency the progress of 28 patients was not obtained. Eighty‐two children were referred to the department of pediatric surgery, but only 17 of 82 (20.7%) required surgical intervention (15 of these 17 for appendicitis). Eleven patients returned within 10 days for re‐evaluation, but the initial diagnosis was not changed. The complaints of 57 patients with uncertain etiology were resolved within 2 days. Conclusions : An acute complaint of abdominal pain was usually attributed to a self‐limited disease. However, the percentage of surgical etiology is not negligible.     

Multicentric Castleman's disease in a child with subpectoral involvement

Castleman's disease is a benign lymphoproliferative disorder characterised by enlarged hyperplastic lymph nodes. It is rare in children and usually presents as localised disease. Subpectoral involvement has not been previously described in multicentric Castleman's disease in children. We present the CT, US and Doppler US findings of hyaline-vascular type multicentric Castleman's disease in a 5 year-old-boy with masses in the left subpectoral region and supraclavicular and axillary lymphadenopathy.     

Unifocal cervical Castleman disease in two children

Castleman disease (CD) is a benign lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by enlarged hyperplastic lymph nodes. Most observations focus on adult patients. In children the disease is rare, usually localized and may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. We reported two children, 7 and 14 years old respectively, affected by unifocal cervical CD of the hyaline vascular type. Conclusion Two cases illustrate that CD may mimic a neoplasm and should be considered in presence of a solitary neck mass with specific features on CT and MRI. Received: 19 November 1996 / Accepted in revised form: 7 April 1997     

Head and neck lymph nodes in children: the spectrum from normal to abnormal

Lymphadenopathy of the head and neck region is a common finding in children and a very common reason to image the craniocervical region. Enlarged lymph nodes are commonly palpated by the pediatrician in the office and commonly imaged by the pediatric radiologist. The difficult task of the clinician is to determine whether the adenopathy is acute (<3 weeks) or chronic (>6 weeks) and when imaging is indicated. In children, radiation is always a consideration when choosing an imaging modality; thus, US is usually the first imaging study at our institution, and CT the second option, usually reserved for the very ill child or for when there is a high index of suspicion for malignancy. We present the normal anatomy of head and neck lymph nodes and the US, CT, and MRI appearances in normal and pathologic states to help clinicians generate a reasonable differential diagnosis and prevent unnecessary procedures.     

Ultrasound findings in children with toxocariasis: report on 18 cases

Purpose. To evaluate abdominal ultrasound (US) findings in children infected with Toxocara canis. Materials and methods. Eighteen children, 18 months to 7 years of age, with serological diagnosis of T. canis infection underwent abdominal US. Eosinophil counts, hemoglobin levels and immunoglobulin E titers were measured for all patients. Results. Abdominal ultrasound revealed multiple hypoechoic areas in the livers of 15 patients (83.3 %). Hepatohilar lymph-node enlargement was present in 14 patients (77.7 %), 2 of whom also showed peripancreatic lymph-node enlargement. Hepatomegaly was present in 13 patients (72.7 %) and splenomegaly in 9 (50 %). Conclusion. The most prevalent findings of abdominal ultrasound examination of children with T. canis infection are hepatic granulomas and abdominal lymph-node enlargement. This infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any children who exhibit these findings on abdominal US examination, especially for those with eosinophilia. Received: 10 November 1998 Accepted: 21 December 1998     

YERSINIA ENTEROCOLITICA AS A CAUSE OF ACUTE MESENTERIC LYMPHADENITIS

Two cases of acute mesenteric lymphadenitis caused by Yersinia enterocolitica in children aged 11 and 12 years are described. At appendectomy the appendix was found innocent, but in the ileocecal region and in the mesentery there were lymph nodes from which bacterial culture grew Y. enterocolitica. In one patient, agglutinins against Y. enterocolitica were established in the titre 12 80 and in the other in the titre 20. The importance of etiologic studies in cases of acute mesenteric lymphadenitis is emphasised.     

Reversible acute methotrexate leukoencephalopathy: atypical brain MR imaging features

Background: Unusual acute symptomatic and reversible early-delayed leukoencephalopathy has been reported to be induced by methotrexate (MTX). Objective: We aimed to identify the occurrence of such atypical MTX neurotoxicity in children and document its MR presentation. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical findings and brain MRI obtained in 90 children treated with MTX for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia or non-B malignant non-Hodgkin lymphoma. All 90 patients had normal brain imaging before treatment. In these patients, brain imaging was performed after treatment completion and/or relapse and/or occurrence of neurological symptoms. Results: Of the 90 patients, 15 (16.7%) showed signs of MTX neurotoxicity on brain MRI, 9 (10%) were asymptomatic, and 6 (6.7%) showed signs of acute leukoencephalopathy. On the routine brain MRI performed at the end of treatment, all asymptomatic patients had classical MR findings of reversible MTX neurotoxicity, such as abnormal high-intensity areas localized in the deep periventricular white matter on T2-weighted images. In contrast, the six symptomatic patients had atypical brain MRI characterized by T2 high-intensity areas in the supratentorial cortex and subcortical white matter (n=6), cerebellar cortex and white matter (n=4), deep periventricular white matter (n=2) and thalamus (n=1). MR normalization occurred later than clinical recovery in these six patients. Conclusions: In addition to mostly asymptomatic classical MTX neurotoxicity, MTX may induce severe but reversible unusual leukoencephalopathy. It is important to recognize this clinicoradiological presentation in the differential diagnosis of acute neurological deterioration in children treated with MTX.     

Thoracic neuroblastoma: what is the best imaging modality for evaluating extent of disease?

Background. Thoracic neuroblastoma accounts for 15 % of all cases of neuroblastoma. A minority of children with thoracic neuroblastoma will have dumbbell tumors, i. e., intraspinal extension, but only half these patients will have neurologic signs or symptoms. Hypothesis. MR imaging is the single best test to evaluate the extent of thoracic and spinal disease in thoracic neuroblastoma after the diagnosis of a mass is established on plain film. Materials and methods. A retrospective multi-institutional investigation over 7 years of all cases of thoracic neuroblastoma (n = 26) imaged with CT and/or MR were reviewed for detection of the extent of disease. The chest film, nuclear bone scan, and other imaging modalities were also reviewed. The surgical and histologic correlation in each case, as well as the patients' staging and outcome, were tabulated. Results. The chest radiograph was 100 % sensitive in suggesting the diagnosis. MR imaging was 100 % sensitive in predicting enlarged lymph nodes, intraspinal extension, and chest wall involvement. CT was 88 % sensitive for intraspinal extension but only 20 % sensitive for lymph node enlargement. CT was 100 % sensitive in detecting chest wall involvement. Direct comparison of CT and MR imaging in six cases revealed no difference in detection of enlarged lymph nodes or chest wall involvement. Neither test was able to detect remote disease, as noted by bone scan. Conclusion. The chest film is 100 % sensitive in suggesting the diagnosis of thoracic neuroblastoma; MR imaging appears to be the single best test for detecting nodal involvement, intraspinal extension, and chest wall involvement. Received: 26 February 1996 Accepted: 10 June 1996     

The value of routine follow-up imaging in pediatric blunt liver trauma

Purpose. To evaluate the utility of routine follow-up computed tomography (CT) and/or ultrasound (US) scans in children with blunt hepatic trauma initially managed non-operatively. Materials and methods. Review of the records of 66 children with proven blunt liver injury on initial CT scan, who were initially managed non-operatively during the period January 1991 to December 1996. Follow-up CT and US studies were analyzed and correlated with clinical outcome. Results. Of the 66 children, 30 were not followed with any imaging study, 26 were followed with US only, 7 with CT only and 3 with US and CT. Disappearance of the liver lesion(s) was seen in 25 patients (range: 6 days – 14 months) and decrease in size was noted in 10. In one patient, who developed abdominal and right shoulder pain 10 days after presentation with subsequent hemoglobin drop, CT showed contrast medium extravasation into a hepatic hematoma from portal vein injury that required surgery. Conclusion. Our series suggests that in asymptomatic patients, US and CT follow-up studies do not provide the additional information needed for patient management. Therefore, we believe that in asymptomatic children with blunt hepatic trauma who are clinically stable, routine follow-up imaging studies are of very limited value. Received: 13 September 1999 Accepted: 6 March 2000