Imaging of pediatric neck masses

Ultrasonography findings of pediatric head and neck lymphatic malformations: A 10-year experience of 140 surgical cases

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the usefulness of ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis and management of pediatric head and neck lymphatic malformations (HNLMs).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 140 children who were referred to our hospital for the treatment of HNLMs.

RESULTS

The median age at presentation was 12 months (1 day-171 months; 66.4% under 2 years old; 35.7% neonatus). The majority clinical presentations were asymptomatic mass (65.7%, 92/140) and cosmetic deformity (25.7%, 36/140). HNLMs involved the neck accounting for 65.7% (92/140), especially posterior cervical trigone (22.1%, 31/140), and submandibular (20.0%, 28/140). The US diagnostic accuracy was 91.4% (128/140). Their boundary with the surrounding tissues was usually clear (87.9%, 123/140), whereas the shape was mostly irregular (97.1%, 136/140). Based on surgical findings, there were 67 pure HNLMs and 73 intracystic hemorrhage. Between the two groups, there were statistical differences in capsule contents (χ2 = 7.8299, p = 0.0051), flocculent echo floating (χ2 = 21.2964, p < 0.0001), overlying skin (χ2 = 9.0498, p = 0.0026), and palpation (χ2 = 13.4058, p = 0.0003).

CONCLUSIONS

US typically reveals the lesion with clear boundary, irregular morphology, anechoic contents, no blood flow signal, and echoic intracapsular septum with blood flow signal. In contrast, bluish appearance, tensional palpation, and capsule contents with low/mixed echo or flocculent echo floating may indicate intracystic hemorrhage.

What is this bump in my neck? Ultrasonographic evaluation of pediatric neck masses

Neck masses are common in pediatric patients, with benign etiologies such as congenital or inflammatory lesions accounting most of these masses. Anatomic location (most important), clinical history, and the appearance in ultrasonography (US) are helpful clues to narrow down differential diagnosis. Because of widespread availability, lack of ionizing radiation, and no need for sedation or contrast administration, US is the preferred initial modality for the evaluation. Further evaluation with cross-sectional imagings is needed for more extensive lesions with trans-spatial extension or suspicion of intrathoracic or retropharyngeal extension. This review will focus on US appearance and clinical presentation of masses of the neck in children, to enable radiologist to arrive at a reasonable differential diagnosis. We also briefly discuss more complex pathologies that need to be evaluated with cross-sectional modalities such as CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging.

Imaging palpable tumors in pediatrics: Part 2

Palpable tumors in children are a common reason for consulting a radiologist. The origin of these lesions varies widely, and although they are common, classic radiology books do not cover some of them. This series of two articles aims to review the clinical and radiological characteristics of a selection of palpable tumors in children that radiologists need to be familiar with.

Retropharyngeal, Parapharyngeal and Peritonsillar Abscesses

Deep neck infections (DNIs) include all the infections sited in the potential spaces and fascial planes of the neck within the limits of the deep layer of the cervical fascia. Parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal infections leading to parapharyngeal abscess (PPA) and retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) are the most common. DNIs remain an important health problem, especially in children. The aim of this narrative review is to describe the management of peritonsillar, retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscesses in pediatric age. Despite relatively uncommon, pediatric DNIs deserve particular attention as they can have a very severe course and lead to hospitalization, admission to the intensive care unit and, although very rarely, death. They generally follow a mild upper respiratory infection and can initially present with signs and symptoms that could be underestimated. A definite diagnosis can be made using imaging techniques. Pus collection from the site of infection, when possible, is strongly recommended for definition of diseases etiology. Blood tests that measure the inflammatory response of the patient may contribute to monitor disease evolution. The therapeutic approach should be targeted toward the individual patient. Regardless of the surgical treatment, antibiotics are critical for pediatric DNI prognosis. The diagnostic-therapeutic procedure to be followed in the individual patient is not universally shared because it has not been established which is the most valid radiological approach and which are the criteria to be followed for the differentiation of cases to be treated only with antibiotics and those in which surgery is mandatory. Further studies are needed to ensure the best possible care for all children with DNIs, especially in this era of increased antimicrobial resistance.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound for the Evaluation of Neck Masses in the Pediatric Emergency Department: A Case Series

ABSTRACT

Point-of-care ultrasound can be an effective tool for pediatric emergency medicine providers in the evaluation of soft tissue lesions. We present a series of 4 pediatric patients with neck lesions in whom point-of-care ultrasound identified the type of lesion, guided decision-making on the need for computed tomography imaging, and led to definitive management.

Pediatric Neck Masses: Imaging Guidelines and Recommendations

Neck masses commonly present in children and several potential diagnostic and management pathways exist, though with a paucity of evidence-based recommendations. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the current literature and utilization of various diagnostic imaging modalities , with a review of imaging features and management pearls for pediatric neck masses. A comprehensive understanding and practical imaging workflow will guide optimal patient workup and management.

Diagnostic Approach to Congenital Cystic Masses of the Neck from a Clinical and Pathological Perspective

BACKGROUND

neck cysts are frequently encountered in pediatric medicine and can present a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians and pathologists. Several clinical items enable to subclassify neck cyst as age at presentation, anatomical location, including compartments and fascia of the neck, and radiological presentation.

SUMMARY

this review will briefly describe the clinical, imaging, pathological and management features of (I) congenital and developmental pathologies, including thyroglossal duct cyst, branchial cleft cysts, dermoid cyst, thymic cyst, and ectopic thymus; (II) vascular malformations, including lymphangioma. Key Messages: pathologists should be familiar with the diagnostic features and clinicopathologic entities of these neck lesions in order to correctly diagnose them and to provide proper clinical management.

A child in shock: carotid blowout syndrome

Paediatricians commonly encounter neck lumps during their routine clinical practice; vascular abnormalities, such as (pseudo)aneurysms, are a rare cause of these. Pseudoaneurysms of the carotid artery in children are usually the result of blunt or penetrating trauma, infection or vasculitis/connective tissue disorders. They can present with a variety of symptoms including neck pain, as a pulsatile neck mass or with compressive symptoms (for example, cranial nerve palsies or dyspnoea). Pseudoaneurysms carry a risk of rupture in which case they are fatal, unless immediate treatment is provided.We report a 17-month-old male child with idiopathic carotid artery blowout syndrome presenting with acute oropharyngeal haemorrhage leading to asystolic cardiac arrest. He was successfully resuscitated and emergency embolisation controlled the bleeding. Despite extensive left hemispheric infarct, he has survived.Carotid artery blowout syndrome needs to be recognised as a potential cause of major haemorrhage in childhood. The purpose of this case report is to remind readers of the differential diagnosis and work-up of a child presenting with a neck lump, to highlight important aspects of the acute management of major haemorrhage and massive blood transfusion in paediatrics, to describe the aetiology, presentation and management of carotid artery pseudoaneurysm in children and to discuss long term rehabilitation in patients with consequent neurological sequelae (including the need for input from multiple specialty teams).

Effective surgical treatment of life-threatening huge vascular anomalies associated with thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy in infants unresponsive to drug therapy

BACKGROUND

Systemic drug therapy is generally recommended for infant huge vascular anomalies associated with thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy, but some patients are not suitable due to drug unresponsiveness or life threatening conditions before the drug works, who will need to receive surgical treatment. This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical features, imaging features, and surgical outcomes of these patients.

METHODS

The clinical data of 4 infants with huge vascular anomalies (2 vein malformations (VMs) and 2 kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE)) associated with thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy treated from June 2016 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received glucocorticoids, propranolol, vincristine or sirolimus treatment before admission, but the treatment was ineffective. Skin petechia, thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy were present at the time of admission. CT scanning was performed before operation. The patient's general clinical data, hematological examination results, operation time, surgical bleeding volume, blood transfusion volume and surgical complications were collected for analysis. The patients were followed up for 10-26 months.

RESULTS

CT scanning results of 2 patients showed special CT features without detectable enhancement within the lesion after CT enhanced scanning and multiple phleboliths formation. Four patients underwent surgical treatment successfully. Two patients underwent complete resection of the lesion, and 2 underwent cytoreductive surgery. Preoperative clinical symptoms such as skin petechia, thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy were normal at 1 week after surgery. Postoperative pathological results showed 2 cases of KHE and 2 cases of VMs. All patients were discharged from hospital without physical dysfunction, recurrence, or death.

CONCLUSIONS

Timely and appropriate surgical intervention can achieve satisfactory results for infants with huge VMs and KHE who were unresponsive to drug therapy or suffering from life-threatening occasion before the drug become effective.

The use of point of care ultrasound in the evaluation of pediatric soft tissue neck masses

OBJECTIVE

Most soft tissue neck masses represent benign inflammatory or infectious processes; however, in some cases the diagnosis is not clear and a broader differential must be considered. The aim of this study was to compare point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to radiology department imaging (RDI) in the diagnosis of soft tissue neck masses.

METHODS

This prospective pilot study involved a convenience sample of patients ranging in age from 1 month to 18 years of age presenting to the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) with a soft tissue neck mass. All children who presented to the PED with soft tissue neck mass at times when an investigator was in the department, and who were candidates for enrollment, underwent a POCUS. The managing pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) provider determined whether RDI was indicated. The results of the POCUS sonologist and radiologist were compared. The kappa statistic was used to analyze agreement with p < 0.05 denoting statistical significance.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients were enrolled into the study. Twenty-two received radiology ultrasound (RUS), 3 patients received CT, and 2 patients received both RUS and CT. There was agreement between POCUS and RDI diagnoses in 21/27 cases (78%). Accordingly, overall concordance between POCUS and RDI diagnoses was good: the kappa statistic comparing diagnoses obtained by POCUS versus RDI was 0.69 (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This prospective pilot study describes the reliability of POCUS as an imaging modality in the management of patients with undifferentiated soft tissue neck masses. POCUS demonstrated good agreement with RDI as a bedside imaging tool in the evaluation of pediatric soft tissue neck masses.

Sonography of pediatric superficial lumps and bumps: illustrative examples from head to toe

Superficial lumps and bumps are extremely common in children, and the vast majority ultimately prove to be benign. Duplex/color Doppler ultrasound (US) has emerged as the first-line imaging modality for the evaluation of these superficial pediatric masses because it provides a means for rapid acquisition of information including size, shape, location, internal content and vascularity. More important, it does so without utilizing radiation, iodinated contrast material or sedation/anesthesia. In this review, we present the sonographic findings of a variety of cases ranging from head to toe that are either uncommonly seen or were diagnosed in an atypical fashion (i.e. ultrasound). In situations where the lesion is too deep, hyperechoic or large to be fully assessed within the field of view or if malignancy is suspected, then additional cross-sectional imaging is warranted for further evaluation.

Multimodality imaging of pediatric airways disease: indication and technique

Congenital and acquired airway anomalies represent a relatively common albeit diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, even for the most skilled operators in dedicated centers. Airway malformations encompass a wide spectrum of pathologies involving the larynx, trachea and bronchi, esophagus, mediastinal vessels. These developmental lesions are often isolated but the association of two or more anomalies is not infrequent. From the traditional chest X-ray to the newest applications of Optical Coherence Tomography, non- or mini-invasive diagnostic techniques represent useful tools to integrate invasive procedures. Comprehensive knowledge of the characteristics of each diagnostic test is mandatory for its useful application. The aim of our paper is to analyze the clinical indications for Imaging the Airway disease in pediatric population, and describe the diagnostic techniques. Only by a close interaction between all the operators involved in diagnosis and treatment of pediatric airway, as it happens in Multidisciplinary Airway Team, the non- or mini-invasive imaging is effective.

Dystrophic calcification: A rare pediatric parotid mass

Dystrophic calcification, the ectopic deposition of calcium in previously damaged or inflamed tissues, is an uncommon finding in the head and neck. Only a few cases have been reported in the parotidomasseteric region, and all of them have been located within and adjacent to the masseter. We present a case of dystrophic calcification occurring entirely within the parotid gland in a 7-year-old girl without apparent inciting inflammation, infection, or trauma. Our patient's presentation highlights the diagnostic challenge associated with parotid masses in the pediatric population. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of dystrophic calcification occurring entirely within the parotid gland in a child.

Pseudoaneurysm of the Common Carotid Artery in an Infant due to Swallowed Fish Bone

Carotid artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare condition, particularly in the paediatric population. Only about 30 cases of carotid artery aneurysms in infants have been published until now. This paper reports the case of a giant pseudoaneurysm of the left common carotid artery due to swallowed fish bone by an 8-year-old boy. This pseudoaneurysm was 5.5 cm transverse-diameter and resulted in severe respiratory distress. It was treated by resection and end-to-end anastomosis with satisfactory outcome after one-year follow-up. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest carotid artery pseudoaneurysm ever described in children.

The management of pediatric neck masses

Neck masses are a common clinical concern both in adults and children. The differential diagnosis is quite broad, from congenital lesions to malignant tumors. Based on the different pathologic diagnosis, the treatments are varied. To the best of our knowledge, limited reports, which specifically discuss the incidence and distribution of neck diseases in early childhood, have been published. Because of the great population in China, a thorough review of the previous clinical data for pediatric neck masses might be potentially valuable for oral and maxillofacial surgeons, which might provide a deeper understanding and better the accuracy of our clinical diagnosis and management. In this article, a 10-year retrospective review was completed; the whole cases were diagnosed and treated in the same major clinical institute in east China, which might represent as a typical cohort for the patient population and serve as a reference for future clinical management.

Imaging of pediatric head and neck masses

Medical imaging is an important tool in the evaluation and classification of pediatric head and neck masses. Such lesions may include congenital, inflammatory, infectious, vascular, or neoplastic processes. Ultrasound is often the first line modality in the workup of a neck mass in a child, followed by MRI or CT depending on the scenario. This information must be interpreted in the context of the patient's clinical history, physical examination, and demographics. The medical imaging workup of a neck mass in a child must be focused to yield the maximum information possible while minimizing the risks of radiation and sedation.

Pediatric cervical lymphadenopathy

This article provides an overview for evaluation and management of the pediatric patient with cervical lymphadenopathy. A thorough history and physical examination are crucial in developing a differential diagnosis for these patients. Although infectious causes of lymphadenopathy are more prevalent in the pediatric population compared with adults, neoplasms should also be considered. Judicious use of imaging studies, namely ultrasound, can provide valuable information for accurate diagnosis. Common and uncommon infectious causes of cervical lymphadenopathy are reviewed. Surgical intervention is occasionally necessary for diagnosis and treatment of infections, and rarely indicated for the possibility of malignancy. Indications for surgery are discussed.

Paediatric cervical lymphadenopathy: when to biopsy?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cervical lymphadenopathy is common in the paediatric population and persistent lymphadenopathy of unknown cause is a frequent reason for otolaryngology referral. Diagnostic work-up is variable among physicians and deciding when excisional biopsy is necessary remains a challenge. This update reviews the recent literature on the work-up and diagnosis of paediatric cervical lymphadenopathy, with a focus on factors that may influence the need for excisional biopsy.

RECENT FINDINGS

The majority of paediatric cervical lymphadenopathy cases are benign, with infection and reactive lymphoid hyperplasia being far more common than malignancy. Ultrasound is the initial imaging modality of choice for paediatric cervical lymphadenopathy and can provide critical information to aid in diagnosis. Clinical factors that may predict malignancy include lymph node size greater than 2 cm, multiple levels of adenopathy and supraclavicular location. Biopsy should be strongly considered in patients with a combination of these factors or other suspicious findings such as severe systemic symptoms.

SUMMARY

Paediatric cervical lymphadenopathy is commonly encountered in general and paediatric otolaryngology practice; however, absolute guidelines for biopsy do not exist. Careful consideration of history, physical examination, laboratory work-up and diagnostic imaging must be used to guide the clinician in decision-making for biopsy.

Emergency imaging assessment of deep neck space infections

Deep neck space infection may lead to severe and potentially life-threatening complications, such as airway obstruction, mediastinitis, septic embolization, dural sinus thrombosis, and intracranial abscess. The clinical presentation is widely variable, and often early symptoms do not reflect the disease severity. The complication risk depends on the extent and anatomical site: diseases that transgress fascial boundaries and spread along vertically oriented spaces (parapharyngeal, retropharyngeal, and paravertebral space) have a higher risk of complications and require a more aggressive treatment compared with those confined within a nonvertically oriented space (peritonsillar, sublingual, submandibular, parotid, and masticator space). Imaging has 5 crucial roles: (1) confirm the suspected clinical diagnosis, (2) define the precise extent of the disease, (3) identify complications, (4) distinguish between drainable abscesses and cellulitis, and (5) monitor deep neck space infection progression. Ultrasonography is the gold standard to differentiate abscesses from cellulitis, for the diagnosis of lymphadenitis. and to identify internal jugular thrombophlebitis in the infrahyoid neck. However, field-of-view limitation and poor anatomical information confine the use of ultrasonography to the evaluation of superficial lesions and to image-guided aspiration or drainage. Computed tomography (CT) combines fast image acquisition and precise anatomical information without field-of-view limitations. For these reasons, it is the most reliable technique for the evaluation of deep and multicompartment lesions and for the identification of mediastinal and intracranial complications. Contrast agent administration enhances the capability to differentiate fluid collections from cellulitis and allows the detection of vascular complications. Magnetic resonance imaging is more time-consuming than CT, limiting its use to selected indications. It is the technique of choice for assessing the epidural space involvement in pre- and paravertebral space infections and complements CT in the evaluation of the infections reaching the skull base.

Preoperative computed tomography of suspected thyroglossal duct cysts in children under 10-years-of-age

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the preoperative computed tomography (CT) features of thyroglossal duct cysts (TDCs), with the main purpose of evaluating criteria helpful in differentiating TDCs from other lesions in children under 10-years-of-age.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed at Chonnam National University Hospital for the period of March 2005 to June 2011. Pediatric patients under 10-years-of-age with suspected TDCs were divided into two groups depending on their histopathologic diagnosis.

RESULTS

Of the 29 pediatric patients with suspected TDCs, 16 patients (55%) had histopathologically confirmed TDCs. Thirteen patients (45%) had dermoid cysts (n=6), ranula (n=3), and inflammatory lesions (n=4). There were no statistically significant differences between the preoperative CT findings and the final histopathologic diagnosis of TDC. There were no major complications resulting from surgical interventions.

CONCLUSION

CT is not helpful in differentiating TDC from other lesions in children under 10-years-of-age. Therefore, we suggest that preoperative CT of suspected TDCs in children should be performed more selectively.

Computed tomographic evaluation of thyroglossal duct cysts in children under 11 years of age

The purpose of this study was to review the computed tomography (CT) features of thyroglossal duct cysts (TDCs) in children less than 11 years of age. A retrospective chart review was performed at Chonnam National University Hospital for the period of March 2005 to June 2011. CT scans of 16 patients having TDCs were evaluated for the following features: site of the mass, relationship to the midline, walls, margins, internal septa, rim enhancement, internal density, and the presence or absence of the thyroid gland. Of the 16 lesions, 8 (50%) were located in the midline and 12 (75%) were infrahyoid in location. Twelve (75%) of the 16 patients had well-circumscribed walls and peripheral rim enhancement. Internal septa were seen in four of the cysts, and all but one of the cysts demonstrated homogeneous or low-density attenuation. The most common CT findings of TDCs in children less than 11 years of age were a homogeneous or low-density lesion. TDCs in children under the age of 11 years were mostly located in the infrahyoid neck.

Unusual presentation of angiomyomatous hamartoma in an eight-month-old infant: case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Evaluation of palpable neck masses may be a diagnostic problem in pediatric patients, with differential diagnosis including congenital, inflammatory, tumoral and traumatic lesions. Ultrasonography is usually a satisfactory method to make a correct pre-operative evaluation of neck masses, although diagnosis is often challenging for the surgeon and the radiologist and sometimes only possible after a histopathological examination of the resected lesion.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report an 8-month-old patient with a cervical, anterior midline mass. Ultrasonographic images showed features suggesting a partly cystic lesion, with a preoperative suspect of thyroglossal duct cyst. Histological examination, performed after surgical removal of the mass, led to a diagnosis of lymph node angiomyomatous hamartoma (AH).

CONCLUSIONS

AH, a rarely occurring benign lymph node lesion, has been reported in the neck lateral region only twice. This case, presenting as a palpable neck midline mass, is the first reported case occurring in infancy. Although rare, AH should be included in the differential diagnosis of head and neck masses.

Cystic masses of neck: A pictorial review

Cystic masses of neck consist of a variety of pathologic entities. The age of presentation and clinical examination narrow down the differential diagnosis; however, imaging is essential for accurate diagnosis and pretreatment planning. Ultrasound is often used for initial evaluation. Computed tomography (CT) provides additional information with regard to the extent and internal composition of the mass. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has a supplementary role for confirmation of diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging may be needed in some cases for preoperative assessment.