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Byrne D, Fisher A, Baker L, Twomey EL, Gorman KM. Yield of brain MRI in children with autism spectrum disorder. Eur J Pediatr 2023; 182:3603-3609. [PMID: 37227501 PMCID: PMC10460367 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05011-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition. The American Academy of Paediatrics and American Academy of Neurology do not recommend routine brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of ASD. The need for a brain MRI should be decided on atypical features in the clinical history and examination. However, many physicians continue to use brain MRI routinely in the assessment process. We performed a retrospective review of indications for requesting brain MRI in our institution over a 5-year period. The aim was to identify the yield of MRI in children with ASD and calculate the prevalence of significant neuroimaging abnormalities in children with ASD and identify clinical indications for neuroimaging. One hundred eighty-one participants were analysed. An abnormal brain MRI was identified in 7.2% (13/181). Abnormal brain MRI was more likely with an abnormal neurological examination (OR 33.1, p = 0.001) or genetic/metabolic abnormality (OR 20, p = 0.02). In contrast, abnormal MRI was not shown to be more likely in children with a variety of other indications such as behavioural issues and developmental delay. Conclusion: Thus, our findings support that MRI should not be a routine investigation in ASD, without additional findings. The decision to arrange brain MRI should be made on a case-by-case basis following careful evaluation of potential risks and benefits. The impact of any findings on the management course of the child should be considered prior to arranging imaging. What is Known: • Incidental brain MRI findings are common in children with and without ASD. • Many children with ASD undergo brain MRI in the absence of neurological comorbidities. What is New: • Brain MRI abnormalities in ASD are more likely with an abnormal neurological examination and genetic or metabolic conditions. • Prevalence of significant brain MRI abnormalities in ASD alone is low.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Byrne
- Department of Neurodisability, Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - A Fisher
- Department of Neurodisability, Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - L Baker
- Department of Neurodisability, Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - EL Twomey
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - K M Gorman
- Department of Paediatric Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Sheldon BL, O'Brien MW, Adamo MA. Growth hormone replacement therapy: is it safe to use in children with asymptomatic pituitary lesions? J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2021; 34:1525-1529. [PMID: 34407327 DOI: 10.1515/jpem-2021-0479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Small pituitary cysts are commonly discovered on pediatric brain magnetic resonance imagings (MRIs), particularly in patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). We examined the need for operative management in children with these masses as well as the effect of growth hormone replacement (GHR) on these lesions. METHODS This was a retrospective review of pituitary protocol MRIs conducted in children 0-19 at a single center between April 2010-November 2020. Sex, indication for initial MRI, volume, and whether surgery was performed was determined. Records were reviewed to determine whether GHD was present and treatment with GHR documented. For patients with subsequent MRIs, volume on most recent scan was calculated. RESULTS Of the 101 children with cysts, 25 had laboratory-confirmed GHD and 76 did not. GHD patients had a higher mean age compared to no growth hormone deficiency (NGHD) cohort (11.2 and 8.4 years, respectively; p=0.02) and a larger proportion of males (p<0.001). The mean cyst volume on initial MRI was not significantly smaller in patients with GHD (0.063 ± 0.012 cm3) vs. those without GHD (0.171 ± 0.039 cm3, p=0.11). Of the 21 GHD patients who received GHR and had follow-up MRIs, 10 had no change in pituitary cyst size, two had cysts that shrank, and seven disappeared. The remaining two cysts enlarged an average of 0.061 ± 0.033 cm3. Zero GHR recipients required surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS Small sellar cysts discovered incidentally on imaging in children are unlikely to require surgical intervention. GHR does not appear to significantly enlarge these pediatric pituitary lesions and is safe for use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matthew A Adamo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
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Tokatly Latzer I, Orbach R, Ben-Sira L, Mezad-Koursh D, Bachar Zipori A, Roth J, Constantini S, Fattal-Valevski A, Lubetzky R. The Clinical Utility of Inpatient Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Children. J Child Neurol 2020; 35:744-752. [PMID: 32517554 DOI: 10.1177/0883073820931264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The clinical applicability and yield of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the setting of an inpatient pediatric department has not been investigated. The authors performed a retrospective chart review of nontraumatic/nonneurosurgical children who underwent brain MRI during their hospitalization in a general pediatric department over a 5-year period. Of the 331 children who underwent brain MRI, 148 (45%) had abnormal findings. High-risk headaches and focal seizures were significantly correlated with findings on brain MRI. Diagnostic and therapeutic yields were most significant in acute demyelinating events, acute cerebrovascular disorders, high-risk headaches when supported by neurologic and ophthalmologic findings, focal seizures with evidence of multifocal epileptic activity on an electroencephalogram and ophthalmic complaints when accompanied by cranial nerve palsy and optic nerve impairment. Since the contributions of a brain MRI in hospitalized children is pivotal in specific clinical situations, a judicious decision-making process should be done before its scheduling, in order to optimize clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itay Tokatly Latzer
- Pediatric Neurology Institute, 108403Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, 26745Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | - Rotem Orbach
- Pediatric Neurology Institute, 108403Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, 26745Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | - Liat Ben-Sira
- Sackler School of Medicine, 26745Tel-Aviv University, Israel.,Pediatric Radiology Unit, 108403Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Daphna Mezad-Koursh
- Sackler School of Medicine, 26745Tel-Aviv University, Israel.,Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Anat Bachar Zipori
- Sackler School of Medicine, 26745Tel-Aviv University, Israel.,Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jonathan Roth
- Sackler School of Medicine, 26745Tel-Aviv University, Israel.,Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery and 108403Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shlomi Constantini
- Sackler School of Medicine, 26745Tel-Aviv University, Israel.,Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery and 108403Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Aviva Fattal-Valevski
- Pediatric Neurology Institute, 108403Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, 26745Tel-Aviv University, Israel.,These authors have contributed equally to this work
| | - Ronit Lubetzky
- Sackler School of Medicine, 26745Tel-Aviv University, Israel.,Department of Pediatrics, 108403Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,These authors have contributed equally to this work
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Monterrey JC, Philips J, Cleveland S, Tanaka S, Barnes P, Hallmayer JF, Reiss AL, Lazzeroni LC, Hardan AY. Incidental brain MRI findings in an autism twin study. Autism Res 2017; 10:113-120. [PMID: 27874265 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies suggest the prevalence of asymptomatic "incidental" findings (IF) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is similar to that of neurotypically developing (NT) controls. However, given the causes of IF may include both genetic and environmental factors, a twin study would facilitate comparing brain IF between ASD and NT subjects. MRI scans were examined to assess the prevalence of brain IF in twin "case pairs" (at least one twin with diagnosis of ASD) and twin "control pairs" (NT). Fifty case pairs and thirty-two control pairs were analyzed. IF were found in 68% of subjects with ASD, 71% of unaffected ASD siblings, and in 58% of control subjects (P = 0.4). IF requiring clinical follow-up occurred more frequently in subjects with ASD compared to NT controls (17% vs. 5%, respectively; P = 0.02). The concordance rate of IF in twins was 83%. A mixed effects model found younger age, male sex, and "family environment" to be significantly associated with IF. There was no difference in the prevalence rate of IF between ASD subjects and NT controls. More IF required clinical follow-up in ASD subjects compared to NT controls. The prevalence rate of IF observed in this twin study was higher than rates previously reported in singleton studies. Our results suggest the shared environment of twins - perhaps in utero - increases the risk of brain IF. Brain MRI in the initial work-up of ASD may be indicated in twins, especially in males. Autism Res 2017, 10: 113-120. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio C Monterrey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Jennifer Philips
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Sue Cleveland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Serena Tanaka
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Patrick Barnes
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Joachim F Hallmayer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Alan L Reiss
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Laura C Lazzeroni
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Antonio Y Hardan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
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Cooper AS, Friedlaender E, Levy SE, Shekdar KV, Bradford AB, Wells KE, Mollen C. The Implications of Brain MRI in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Child Neurol 2016; 31:1611-1616. [PMID: 27629267 DOI: 10.1177/0883073816665548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Our objective was to describe the types of providers who refer children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the referral reason, and MRI results. The most common referral reasons were autism spectrum disorder with seizures (33.7%), autism spectrum disorder alone (26.3%), and autism spectrum disorder with abnormal neurologic examination or preexisting finding (24%). Neurology (62.5%), general pediatric (22.3%), and developmental/behavioral practitioners (8.9%) referred the most patients. The prevalence of definite pathology was highest in children referred for autism spectrum disorder with abnormal neurologic examination/preexisting finding (26.2%, 95% CI: 16.8%-36%), headaches (25.7%, 95% CI: 11.2%-40.2%), or seizures (22%, 95% CI: 14.6%-29.5%), and was lowest in children referred for autism spectrum disorder alone (6.5%, 95% CI: 1.5%-11.6%). We concluded that there is a low prevalence of definite pathology in children with autism spectrum disorder undergoing brain MRI. In children with abnormal neurologic examination or preexisting finding, seizures, or headaches, one may consider performing brain MRI given the higher prevalence of pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison S Cooper
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA .,Pediatric Emergency Department, Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York, New Hyde Park, NY, USA
| | - Eron Friedlaender
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Susan E Levy
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Karuna V Shekdar
- Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrea Bennett Bradford
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kimberly E Wells
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
| | - Cynthia Mollen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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