Diagnostic imaging of spinal trauma

The radiologist has a pivotal role in evaluation of spinal trauma patients because proper treatment cannot begin before the abnormality is diagnosed. Plain films remain the screening modality of choice, and by understanding the radiographic signs of injury, patterns produced by various traumatic mechanisms can be recognized. As radiologists we can then provide insight to our clinical colleagues into the optimal methods of further investigation. The objective is to eliminate the possibility of further damage and to identify lesions amenable to correction.     

Diagnostic Imaging in pediatric thoracic trauma

Thoracic trauma accounts for approximately 14% of blunt force traumatic deaths, second only to head injuries. Chest trauma can be blunt (90% of cases) or penetrating. In young patients, between 60 and 80% of chest injuries result from blunt trauma, with over half as a consequence of impact with motor vehicles, whereas in adolescents and adults, penetrating trauma has a statistically more prominent role. Pulmonary contusions and rib fractures are the most frequent injuries occurring. Chest X-ray is the first imaging modality of choice to identify patients presenting with life-threatening conditions (i.e., tension pneumothorax, huge hemothorax, and mediastinal hematoma) and those who require a CT examination. Multi-Slice Computed Tomography is the gold standard to evaluate chest injuries. In fact, the high spatial resolution, along with multiplanar reformation and three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions, makes MDCT the ideal imaging method to recognize several chest injuries such as rib fractures, pneumothorax, hemothorax, lung contusions and lacerations, diaphragmatic rupture, and aortic injuries. Nevertheless, when imaging a young patient, one should always keep into account the ALARA concept, to balance an appropriate and low-dose technique with imaging quality and to reduce the amount of ionizing radiation exposure. According to this concept, in the recent years, the current trends in pediatric imaging support the rising use of alternative imaging modalities, such as US and MRI, to decrease radiation exposure and to answer specific clinical questions and during the observation period also. As an example, ultrasound is the first technique of choice for the diagnosis and treatment of pleural and pericardial effusion; its emerging indications include the evaluation of pneumothoraces, costocondral and rib fractures, and even pulmonary contusions.     

Diagnostic accuracy of a step-up imaging strategy in pediatric patients with blunt abdominal trauma

Introduction

Blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) is an important but often unrecognized cause of death in children. Imaging plays a vital role in the early detection of abdominal trauma. The exact role of imaging in the management of BAT in children is still under research. The aim of this study was to assess diagnostic accuracy of a step-up imaging strategy, where the decision to observe or to perform an intervention depends on the vital parameters of the patient, in combination with the presence or absence of free fluid at Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) and the findings on CT (performed selectively), for pediatric patients presenting to the ED with a blunt abdominal trauma.

Methods

Consecutive patients aged ≤16 years admitted between January 2008 and December 2012 to a Dutch level 1 trauma centre were included in this retrospective study. Sensitivity, negative predictive value (NPV) and the negative likelihood ratio (LR−) of the imaging strategy were calculated.

Results

The cohort consisted of 122 patients; 66 (54%) patients were discharged home after primary survey, 51 (41%) patients were admitted and observed, 3 (2%) patients underwent transarterial embolization and 2 (2%) patients underwent surgery. Treatment failed in 1 patient, initially selected for observation. The sensitivity of the imaging strategy was 0.833 (0.446–0.990). The NPV and LR− were 0.991 (0.963–1.000) and 0.167 (0.028–0.997), respectively.

Conclusion

The step-up imaging strategy that is applied in our academic level 1 trauma centre has a high sensitivity and a high negative predictive value. No clinically relevant injuries were missed without doing unnecessary harm, e.g. radiation or an intervention.     

Diagnostic imaging of upper extremity trauma

The radiologic evaluation of upper extremity trauma relies primarily on standard as well as optional radiographic projections. Certain injuries are more fully evaluated with fluoroscopy, arthrography, ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. The imaging approach to upper extremity trauma is presented, with emphasis on subtle or commonly overlooked lesions. The indications for evaluation by fluoroscopy, arthrography, and advanced imaging modalities are discussed.     

Diagnostic imaging of lower extremity trauma

Traumatic injuries to the lower extremity are a common occurrence in today's society and may result in significant morbidity and mortality if not appropriately treated. Adequate radiographic evaluation is crucial to the assessment of these injuries. This article reviews the radiographic features and imaging approaches to the commonly encountered injuries of the lower extremity.     

Diffusion tensor MR imaging in pediatric head trauma

PURPOSE: We propose to investigate the fractional anisotropy (FA) values in pediatric patients with closed head trauma and correlate them with the initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of 24 pediatric patients (15 men, 9 women; mean age, 13 years; range, 2-18 years) who underwent both unenhanced head computed tomography and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including the tensor diffusion sequence, within 30 days of the incident. Twenty-two atraumatic control patients (9 men, 13 women; mean age, 9 years; range, 4-17 years) were randomly selected from the records of the radiology department within the same period. Fractional anisotropy measurements were taken from each of 6 major white matter volumes. Data extracted from the record of each subject included GCS, initial head computed tomographic results, and length of hospital stay. Kruskal-Wallis and t tests were used for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: The mean acute score on the GCS was 9.7 +/- 5. Mean duration of hospitalization days was 8.7 +/- 10. Statistically significant differences in mean FA values between trauma and control subjects were noted in corpus callosum. Trauma patients with positive findings on MRI and with GCS less than 10 also had lower FA values than patients with GCS greater than 10 and patients who had normal MRI findings. There was a negative correlation between time to discharge and FA values. CONCLUSIONS: In pediatric head trauma, MRI diffusion FA measurements can show abnormalities despite normal-appearing brain MRI findings. Larger investigations are required to verify the stability of correlations.     

Diagnostic imaging evaluation of the postoperative patient following musculoskeletal trauma

Diagnostic imaging is often used to document the progression of healing and diagnose complications in the patient with musculoskeletal trauma. Common types of fixation devices and their complications are discussed. Guidelines for acceptable positioning and alignment are described.     

Pediatric skeletal trauma

Children with traumatic injuries present an emotionally and professionally demanding situation for radiologic technologists. A child's fear and anxiety, developmental stage and the psychological impact on parents and caregivers all affect the technologist's ability to perform a rapid but technically excellent exam. This article examines the specific causes and presentations of unintentional (as opposed to abuse-related) skeletal trauma in children, with emphasis on the role of imaging. The differences between children and adults in terms of injury patterns, healing and complications are discussed, along with efforts to reduce the incidence of childhood skeletal trauma.     

CT and MR imaging of primary cerebrovascular complications in pediatric head trauma

The incidence of severe traumatic head injury in children has constantly increased over the last years. Diagnostic imaging has become an unrenounceable tool for the documentation and follow-up of intracranial lesions. The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the early posttraumatic phase has led to a more thorough understanding of intracranial injuries. We retrospectively analyzed the cranial computed tomography (CCT) and magnetic resonance (MR)-studies of patients with traumatic head injuries for primary cerebrovascular complications. In 64 children (45 male, 19 female) with traumatic head injuries, CCT and MR examinations were available for analysis. The children's age ranged from 3 months to 15 years with a median age of 7 years. All patients had initial CCT on admission to the hospital with follow-up examinations depending on clinical state and initial imaging findings. All patients had at least one MR examination between 0 to 120 days after the trauma with a median time interval of 17 days. In five of 64 (7.8%) patients, cerebrovascular complications were found on imaging studies. Initial imaging within the first 24 h after the trauma detected a complete middle cerebral artery infarction in one patient and extensive sinus thrombosis after a complex skull fracture in another. In two patients, thrombosis of the transverse sinus appeared on MRI 4 to 6 days after the trauma. In another patient with open-skull injury, a posttraumatic aneurysm of the pericallosal artery was diagnosed on MRI 30 days after the trauma. Our study shows that, although primary cerebrovascular lesions after traumatic head injuries in children are rare, the radiologist should be aware of the characteristic injury patterns and the time appearance of imaging findings on CT and MRI.     

低场磁共振成像对膝关节外伤的诊断敏感性

目的探讨低场强（0．35T）磁共振成像对膝关节外伤的诊断敏感性，并与X线平片及常规CT检查结果比较。方法64例有膝关节外伤史及相应临床表现的患者，于外伤后1d至3个月内均经自旋回波（SE）和快速自旋回波（FSE）磁共振成像，21例又经X线平片检查，10例又经常规CT检查。对所有患者的MRI表现进行了分析，并与X线及CT所见进行了对比。结果在接受X线平片检查的21例中，各种异常见于15例，其诊断敏感性为72％。在常规cT检查的10例中，骨折、隐匿性骨折及半月板损伤分别见于2，3和1例，其诊断敏感性为60％。在MRI检查的64例中，骨挫伤见于40例（66处），合关骨折及隐匿性骨折23处，合并韧带损伤31例，合并半月板损伤23例，仅2例未见异常。MRI诊断膝关节外伤的敏感性为97％。结论MRI对膝关节外伤的诊断敏感性显著高于X线平片或常规CT。合理选用磁共振扫描序列与参数，能够准确地诊断膝关节外伤。     

Characterization of pediatric skeletal tumors and tumor-like conditions: specific cross-sectional imaging signs

The radiograph is indispensable for characterizing pediatric skeletal lesions. However, cross-sectional imaging with CT and MRI can provide additional information and augment or confirm an impression obtained from the initial radiographic findings. This review will highlight the role of CT and MRI in characterizing pediatric skeletal tumors and tumor-like conditions. Focus will be given to the contributions of each modality to the process of characterizing skeletal lesions, recalling that cross-sectional imaging is more commonly obtained for the purpose of determining extent of disease rather than for characterization.     

Diagnostic imaging of pediatric hematogenous osteomyelitis: lessons learned from a multi-modality approach

Pediatric hematogenous osteomyelitis may present highly variable radiological expression, which is influenced by the age and condition of the patient, the virulence of the causative agent, the stage of the disease, or the selected imaging tool. Given the multiplicity of available modalities and the multi-faceted nature of the process, purposeful imaging of pediatric hematogenous osteomyelitis may be difficult. In order to avoid diagnostic delays and complications, familiarity with the variable expression of the disease and assumption of the potentialities, roles and limitations of the various imaging modalities is required. In this pictorial essay we review, illustrate and discuss, in a multi-modality approach, the various radiological patterns that may be found in pediatric hematogenous osteomyelitis, with emphasis on strategies, staging, uncommon distribution patterns, and differential diagnosis.     

Early assessment of the efficacy of digital infrared thermal imaging in pediatric extremity trauma

Young children or those with intellectual disability with trauma to an extremity often undergo radiographs of the whole limb. The objective of the study was to assess the efficacy of digital infrared thermal images (DITI) in pediatric extremity trauma. We hypothesized fractures to be associated with local hyperthermia, detectable with DITI, which could direct focused radiographs. In this exploratory study, patients seen over a 2-month period in a pediatric emergency department for limb trauma were included if an extremity radiograph was taken on the same day. Patients had DITI of symptomatic and contralateral limbs. The warmest area of each image was compared to the site of pain and/or fracture on the radiograph. Fifty-one patients were enrolled. DITI matched 73% of pain sites. Fractures were seen in 11 patients. DITI matched 7 of 11 (64%) fracture sites. DITI performance in pinpointing the site of injury, although suboptimal, is encouraging for further evaluation.     

Diagnostic value of radionuclide bone imaging in monitoring skeletal metastases (author's transl)

In typical cases with pelvic metastases a close relationship is demonstrated between nuclear medicine and radiologic findings depending on the kind of therapy. For this reason total body radionuclide studies should not only be recommended for screening but also for therapeutic monitoring. Positive radionuclide findings should be supplemented by roentgenologic studies of the areas selected in that way.