Pediatric Chest MR Imaging: Sedation, Techniques, and Extracardiac Vessels

Pediatric large airway imaging: evolution and revolution

Infants and children often present with respiratory symptoms referable to the airway. For these pediatric patients, airway imaging is frequently performed to evaluate for underlying disorders of the large airway. Various imaging modalities have been used to evaluate the pediatric large airway, and pediatric airway imaging techniques have continued to evolve. Therefore, clear understanding of the status and new advances in pediatric large airway imaging is essential for practicing radiologists to make timely and accurate diagnoses, which can lead to optimal pediatric patient management.

Lung and large airway imaging: magnetic resonance imaging versus computed tomography

Disorders of the respiratory system are common in children and imaging plays an important role for initial diagnosis and follow-up evaluation. Radiographs are typically the first-line imaging test for respiratory symptoms in children and, when advanced imaging is required, CT has been the most frequently used imaging modality. However, because of increasing concern about potentially harmful effects of ionizing radiation on children, there has been a shift toward MRI in pediatric imaging. Although MRI of chest in children presents many technical challenges, recent advances in MRI technology are overcoming many of these issues, and MRI is now being used for evaluating the lung and large airway in children at centers with expertise in pediatric chest MRI. In this article we review the state of pediatric lung and large airway imaging, with an emphasis on cross-sectional modalities and the roles of MRI versus CT.

State-of-the-art review of lung imaging in cystic fibrosis with recommendations for pulmonologists and radiologists from the "iMAging managEment of cySTic fibROsis" (MAESTRO) consortium

OBJECTIVE

Imaging represents an important noninvasive means to assess cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, which remains the main cause of morbidity and mortality in CF patients. While the development of new imaging techniques has revolutionised clinical practice, advances have posed diagnostic and monitoring challenges. The authors aim to summarise these challenges and make evidence-based recommendations regarding imaging assessment for both clinicians and radiologists.

STUDY DESIGN

A committee of 21 experts in CF from the 10 largest specialist centres in Italy was convened, including a radiologist and a pulmonologist from each centre, with the overall aim of developing clear and actionable recommendations for lung imaging in CF. An a priori threshold of at least 80% of the votes was required for acceptance of each statement of recommendation.

RESULTS

After a systematic review of the relevant literature, the committee convened to evaluate 167 articles. Following five RAND conferences, consensus statements were developed by an executive subcommittee. The entire consensus committee voted and approved 28 main statements.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for international guidelines regarding the appropriate timing and selection of imaging modality for patients with CF lung disease; timing and selection depends upon the clinical scenario, the patient's age, lung function and type of treatment. Despite its ubiquity, the use of the chest radiograph remains controversial. Both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging should be routinely used to monitor CF lung disease. Future studies should focus on imaging protocol harmonisation both for computed tomography and for magnetic resonance imaging. The introduction of artificial intelligence imaging analysis may further revolutionise clinical practice by providing fast and reliable quantitative outcomes to assess disease status. To date, there is no evidence supporting the use of lung ultrasound to monitor CF lung disease.

Congenital Lung Malformations: Unresolved Issues and Unanswered Questions

Advances in prenatal and postnatal diagnosis, perioperative management, and postoperative care have dramatically increased the number of scientific reports on congenital thoracic malformations (CTM). Nearly all CTM are detected prior to birth, generally by antenatal ultrasound. After delivery, most infants do well and remain asymptomatic for a long time. However, complications may occur beyond infancy, including in adolescence and adulthood. Prenatal diagnosis is sometimes missed and detection may occur later, either by chance or because of unexplained recurrent or persistent respiratory symptoms or signs, with difficult implications for family counseling and substantial delay in surgical planning. Although landmark studies have been published, postnatal management of asymptomatic children is still controversial and needs a resolution. Our aim is to provide a focused overview on a number of unresolved issues arising from the lack of an evidence-based consensus on the management of patients with CTM. We summarized findings from current literature, with a particular emphasis on the vigorous controversies on the type and timing of diagnostic procedures, treatments and the still obscure relationship between CTM and malignancies, a matter of great concern for both families and physicians. We also present an algorithm for the assessment and follow-up of CTM detected either in the antenatal or postnatal period. A standardized approach across Europe, based on a multidisciplinary team, is urgently needed for achieving an evidence-based management protocol for CTM.