MRI Findings In Children Research Articles

Value of MR arthrography for evaluation of children and adolescents with clinically suspected intraarticular cause of hip pain

PurposeTo evaluate the distribution of intra- and extraarticular MRI findings in children and adolescents with clinically suspected intraarticular cause of hip pain in order to assess the need for additional intraarticular contrast administration.Material and methodsDatabase was searched over a period of 34 months retrospectively for consecutive hip MR arthrography in young patients (8–17 years) with suspected intraarticular cause of hip or groin pain. Exclusion criteria were prior hip surgery, follow-up examination due to known intraarticular pathology, incomplete examination, qualitatively non-diagnostic examinations, and missing informed consent. Reports of fellowship-trained MSK radiologists were searched for intraarticular versus extraarticular findings explaining hip or groin pain.ResultsSeventy patients (68% female; median age: 14.5 years; range:10.8–16.9 years) were analyzed. No reason for pain was found in 30 (42.9%) hips, extraarticular reasons in 20 (28.6%) cases, intraarticular in 14 (20.0%), and both (intra- and extraarticular) in 6 (8.6%) hips. Most common extraarticular reasons were apophysitis (14.3%), other bony stress reactions (12.9%), intramuscular edema (7%), tendinitis (5.7%), and trochanteric bursitis (4.3%). Labral pathology was the most common intraarticular finding (overall:34.3%; partial tear:15.7%, complete tear:15.7%), most frequent at the anterosuperior position (81.8%). Cartilage defects (1.4%), intraarticular neoplasia (1.4%), and tear of the femoral head ligament (2.8%) were rarely found. Synovitis and loose bodies were not observed. Cam-(37.1%) and pincer-configurations (47.1%) were common while hip dysplasia was rare (5.7%).ConclusionMRI in children and adolescents with hip pain should be done primarily without intraarticular contrast administration since most cases show an extraarticular pain reason or no diagnosis detectable with MRI.

Relationship between gross motor function and magnetic resonance imaging findings in children with cerebral palsy

This cross-sectional study was carried out at the department of Pediatric Neurology, Institute of Pediatric Neurodisorder and Autism, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka with the aim to assess the relationship between gross motor function and MRI findings in children with cerebral palsy. The duration of the study was 12 months. All the cerebral palsy cases who met the selection criteria were enrolled. Detailed history taking and physical examination was done. The gross motor function of all cases was evaluated according to Gross Motor Function Classification System- Expanded and Revised (GMECS-E and R). Magnetic resonance imaging of brain was done in all enrolled patients and reports were evaluated. MRI findings were classified as maldevelopment, cortical and subcortical gray matter lesion, periventricular white matter injury, basal ganglia lesion, normal and other findings. A total of 45 children with cerebral palsy aged between 2 to 12 years were included in this study. Mean age of the children was 4.73 (+3.17) years. Male were 31 and female were 14 in number. Functionally majority patients were in GMFCS level IV (26.7%) and level V (20%). MRI findings were abnormal in 35 (77.78%) cases. Most common abnormal MRI finding was cortical and subcortical grey matter lesions 22 (48.9%). This study revealed that cortical and subcortical gray matter lesions were significantly associated with higher level of GMFCS (IV-V) (P=0.038) and maldevelopment of brain were also significantly associated with higher level of GMFCS (P=0.01). Normal MRI findings had significant association with mild to moderate GMFCS level (I-III) (P=0.012). From this study significant relationship was found between gross motor function and MRI of brain findings in children with cerebral palsy.

MRI findings of growth plate fractures of the knee: are there age- and fracture-dependent differences?

To investigate MRI findings in children with physeal fractures of the knee with respect to age, location, and articular involvement. Children with physeal fractures who underwent knee MRI between 2008 and 2021 were included. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed all examinations to determine articular involvement, findings of physeal instability (perichondral disruption, periosteal entrapment), and internal derangement (cruciate ligament injury, meniscal tear, chondromalacia). Independent samples t, Mann-Whitney U, Pearson's chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare findings. Fifty-six patients (37 boys, 19 girls; mean age: 12.2 ± 2.5years; 32 distal femur, 24 proximal tibial fractures) included 24(43%) intraarticular fractures. Fractures were more common in the tibia than the femur (67% versus 25%, p = 0.004) and intraarticular fractures were more common in older than younger children (13.1 ± 2.0 versus 11.5 ± 2.7years, p = 0.01), to associate with chondromalacia (46% versus 12%, p = 0.02) and undergo surgery (33% versus 10%, p = 0.04) when compared to extraarticular fractures. Perichondral disruption (n = 44, 79%) and periosteal entrapment (n = 13, 23%) did not significantly differ based on location or articular involvement (p > 0.05). At a median follow-up of 17.5months (interquartile range: 1.25-34), 3 patients (2 intraarticular, 1 extraarticular fractures) developed osteoarthritis, osteochondral lesion, and leg-length discrepancy from growth arrest, which required additional surgery. Intraarticular physeal fractures were more common with older children, associate with chondromalacia, and underdo surgical intervention when compared to extraarticular fractures of the knee. While MRI findings of physeal instability were common, no significant differences were found between fractures based on anatomic location or fracture pattern.

Ventricular function and tissue characterization by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging following hospitalization for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a prospective study.

BackgroundMultisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a severe life-threatening manifestation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection that often presents with acute cardiac dysfunction and cardiogenic shock. While recovery from acute illness is excellent, the long-term myocardial impact is unknown.ObjectiveTo compare cardiac MRI findings in children 6–9 months after their hospitalization with MIS-C against MRI findings in healthy controls to assess for residual myocardial disease.Materials and methodsWe prospectively performed cardiac MRI on 13 children 6–9 months following their hospitalization with MIS-C: eight of these children had a history of left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%, persistent symptoms, or electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities and underwent clinical MRI; five of these children without cardiac abnormalities during their hospitalization underwent research MRIs. We compared their native T1 and T2 mapping values with those of 20 normal controls.ResultsCardiac MRI was performed at 13.6 years of age (interquartile range [IQR] 11.9–16.4 years) and 8.2 months (IQR 6.8–9.6 months) following hospitalization. Twelve children displayed normal ejection fraction: left ventricle (LV) 57.2%, IQR 56.1–58.4; right ventricle (RV) 53.1%, IQR 52.0–55.7. One had low–normal LVEF (52%). They had normal extracellular volume (ECV) and normal T2 and native T1 times compared to controls. There was no qualitative evidence of edema. One child had late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) with normal ejection fraction, no edema, and normal T1 and T2 times. When stratifying children who had MIS-C according to history of LVEF <55% on echocardiography, there was no difference in MRI values.ConclusionAlthough many children with MIS-C present acutely with cardiac dysfunction, residual myocardial damage 6–9 months afterward appears minimal. Long-term implications warrant further study.

Standardized reporting and quantification of whole-body MRI findings in children with chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis treated with pamidronate

ObjectivesThe objectives were to assess changes in radiological disease activity in children with chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) receiving pamidronate therapy and to test a modified radiological index for non-bacterial osteitis (mRINBO) in CNO. mRINBO was used for standardized reporting and quantification of whole-body MRI (WBMRI) findings resulting in an individual summary patient score.MethodsWBMRI was retrospectively assessed in 18 children with CNO at baseline and after receiving pamidronate therapy for one year. Parameters of interest were: number and anatomic site of radiologically active bone lesions (RAL), size of RAL, extramedullary affection, spinal involvement and changes in mRINBO, which includes both the number and maximal size of RAL (RALmax) in addition to extramedullary and chronic changes.ResultsAt the time of diagnosis, the mean age of the children was 9.8 (sd, 8.7–10.9) years and 11/18 were females. The number of RALs per patient decreased from median [interquartile range] 4.5 [3–8] to 3 [2–5] RALs per patient (p = 0.02) and extramedullary inflammatory changes regressed. Sixty-one percent of all RALs occurring at baseline resolved and three children became without active inflammatory lesions by WBMRI. The median size of RALs did not change when taking new lesions occurring in 7/18 children into account, but RALmax decreased significantly from 39 [29–45] mm at baseline to 28 [20–40] mm (p < 0.01) at year-one with a concomitant decrease of mRINBO from a median of 5 [4–7] to 4 [3–5] (p = 0.05).ConclusionsPamidronate therapy resulted in a decrease of mRINBO from baseline to year one. mRINBO may be a potential scoring method to quantify changes in radiological disease activity in children with CNO. However, further studies are needed to test feasibility and validity of mRINBO.

Clinical evaluation of cerebral MRI findings in children with cerebral palsy

Clinical evaluation of cerebral MRI findings in children with cerebral palsy

Evaluation and Comparison of MRI Findings in Children with Global Developmental Delay and Isolated Neurodevelopmental Delay: A Cross-sectional Study

Evaluation and Comparison of MRI Findings in Children with Global Developmental Delay and Isolated Neurodevelopmental Delay: A Cross-sectional Study

VP22.05: Comparison of pre‐ and postnatal echocardiography findings and MRI findings in children with congenital heart disease

VP22.05: Comparison of pre‐ and postnatal echocardiography findings and MRI findings in children with congenital heart disease

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Preterm Infants With Bilirubin Encephalopathy Beyond Three Years Corrected Age

BackgroundMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities in preterm infants with bilirubin encephalopathy (BE) become less clear as the infants age. We assessed MRI findings in children with preterm BE older than 36 months corrected age (CA). MethodsIn a previous questionnaire survey, hospitals were asked to provide head MRI data of patients older than 36 months CA. MRI findings were reviewed by three pediatric neurology specialists and classified as no abnormalities, partial globus pallidus (GP) lesions, or diffuse GP lesions. ResultsIn total, 33 MRI scans were available from 28 patients. The median gestational age and birth weight were 26 weeks and 824 g, respectively. The prevalence of MRI abnormalities was 100% in patients at 37 to 48 months CA, 71% in those at 49 to 60 months CA, 50% in those at 61 to 72 months CA, 67% in those at 73 to 84 months CA, and 38% in those at 85 months CA or older. Partial GP lesions were more common than diffuse GP lesions at all ages. No significant differences in sex, gestational age, birth weight, or gross motor function impairment were observed among lesion groups. ConclusionsGP lesions were detected on MRI in most children with preterm BE when studied after 36 months CA, although MRI abnormalities became less apparent along with age. Partial GP lesions may be a characteristic of older children with preterm BE.

Evaluation of spectrum of MRI findings in children with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy and its comparison with transcranial sonography

Background: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is a serious concern among asphyxiated newbornsdue to the associated long term sequelae like cognitive impairment and cerebral palsy. Though theincidence of hypoxic injury remains higher in preterm babies due to incomplete brain maturation, itcan occur in term babies as well despite institutional deliveries due to an array of unavoidable fetal,maternal and placental causes. Aims: This study was conducted as an attempt to evaluate the riskfactors, to study the correlation between the term of pregnancy with TCUS and MRI imaging findingsin HIE and characterise patterns of CNS involvement. Materials and methods: It was a cross-sectional study carried on 50 neonates with clinically diagnosed HIE presenting to the Department ofRadiodiagnosis, Rajindra Hospital Patiala who were subjected to transcranial sonography and MRI.Results and Conclusion: This study demonstrated term infants have significant involvement ofbasal ganglia thalamus type (central) pattern of involvement and preterm infants haveperiventricular leukomalacia type (white matter injury) of a pattern of involvement. The overallsensitivity and specificity of TCUS in detecting imaging findings in children with clinically diagnosedHIE compared to MRI was found to be 70.45% and 50% respectively, yielding the overall diagnosticaccuracy of TCUS as 68% compared to MRI. TCUS can depict central and white matter abnormalitiesbetter than peripheral lesions. However MRI provides additional diagnostic information in manycases and can detect precisely the extent of brain injury.

Prevalence of brain MRI findings in children with nonacquired growth hormone deficiency: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To verify and integrate the prevalence and phenotype of abnormalities in the sellar region in patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) using MRI data. We searched PubMed and EMBASE up to December 14, 2020. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) pediatric patients diagnosed with nonacquired GHD and (2) detailed data sufficient to assess the proportion of sellar and parasellar abnormalities on brain MRI scans. Finally, thirty-two studies with 39,060 children (mean or median age, 3.4-14.1 years) were included. The number and type of MRI findings from all included studies were pooled by two authors. The heterogeneity across studies was evaluated with the Q test or the inconsistency index (I2) statistic. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the type of GHD (isolated GHD [IGHD] vs. multiple pituitary hormone deficiency [MPHD]), MRI magnet, geographical region, and cutoff serum growth hormone (GH) level. The pooled proportion of sellar and parasellar abnormalities was 58.0% (95% CI, 47.1-68.6%; I2, 98.2%). The MPHD group showed a higher proportion of sellar and parasellar abnormalities and pituitary stalk interruption syndrome than the IGHD group (91.4% vs. 40.1%, P<0.001; 65.3% vs. 20.1%, P<0.001). The patients in studies with low peak GH levels on stimulation tests were more associated with severe MR abnormalities (cutoff GH ≤ 5 μg/l vs. cutoff GH = 10 μg/l; 72.8 % vs. 38.0%; P<0.001). The types and incidence of MRI abnormalities of the sellar region differ significantly between the IGHD and MPHD groups.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Childhood Epilepsy at a Tertiary Hospital in Kenya.

Background: Neuroimaging is important for determining etiology and guiding care in early childhood epilepsy. However, access to appropriate imaging in sub-Saharan Africa is modest, and as a consequence, etiological descriptions of childhood epilepsy in the region have been limited. We sought to describe MRI findings in children with epilepsy presenting to a tertiary hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, over a 6-year period of routine care.Materials and Methods: We undertook a retrospective review of MRI findings of children aged between 0 and 18 years with a diagnosis of epilepsy presenting to the pediatric neurology department of Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, between January 2014 and July 2020. Over this period, the hospital had 1.5T MRI machines (GE1.5T Signa Excite and GE 1.5T Signa Explorer) and a 3T MRI machine (Philips 3T Ingenia). MRI images were independently reviewed by two study radiologists, and the findings were summarized and categorized into a study database. Related clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) details were extracted from patient records. Categorical data analysis methods were applied to investigate for relationships between clinically relevant neuroimaging findings and key clinical and EEG observations.Results: Over the study period, 288 children with a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy had an MRI. They were of median age of 6 [interquartile range (IQR) 2–11] years. Ninety-five (33%) children had abnormal findings on imaging. The most common findings were encephalomalacia related to chronic infarcts (n = 18: 6.3%), cerebral atrophy (n = 11: 3.8%), disorders of neuronal migration (n = 11: 3.8%), periventricular leukomalacia (n = 9: 3.1%), and hippocampal sclerosis (n = 8: 2.8%). Findings related to infectious etiology were only observed in four children. Clinical comorbidity and inter-ictal epileptiform activity on EEG were independently associated with abnormal findings on imaging.Conclusion: Up to a third of the children who underwent an MRI had a positive yield for abnormal findings. Imaging findings related to infectious etiologies were little observed in our cohort, in contradistinction to etiology studies in similar settings. At the time of the study, comorbidity and inter-ictal epileptiform activity on EEG were associated with abnormal findings on imaging and should be considered in informing prioritization for imaging in childhood epilepsy in this setting.

MRI findings in children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection retrospectively diagnosed with dried umbilical cord.

Brain MRI provides important information about suspected congenital CMV infection in neonatally underdiagnosed children. This study aimed to describe MRI findings in children in whom congenital CMV infection was not suspected during the neonatal period and was proven retrospectively. We enrolled 31 children referred to the pediatric neurology clinic with neurological symptoms who were proven to have congenital CMV infection based on dried umbilical cord samples. Upon diagnosis, MR and CT images were assessed using the van der Knaap scoring system integrated with additional variables. Two investigators independently assessed all images. The age at diagnosis was < 12 months in 14, 12-24 months in 11, and > 24 months in 6 patients. The initial symptom triggering clinic referral was delayed development in 22, seizure in 5, deafness in 3, and hemiplegia in 1 patient. Of the 31 children, 30 had a white matter (WM) abnormality predominant in the deep WM of the parietal lobe (n = 25). Anterior temporal lesions were observed in 21 children. Cortical lesions were observed in 7 children, suggestive of polymicrogyria. No child had cerebellar or brainstem abnormalities. Brain CT was performed in 22 of 31 children, and 11 showed punctate cerebral calcification in the periventricular and/or deep WM. Patients with congenital CMV infection with delayed neurological symptoms show a relatively uniform pattern of parietal-dominant multifocal WM lesions and anterior temporal lesions, with or without polymicrogyria.

Chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis \u2014 clinical and magnetic resonance imaging features

BackgroundChronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) is a rare autoinflammatory bone disorder. Little information exists on the use of imaging techniques in CNO.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed clinical and MRI findings in children diagnosed with CNO between 2012 and 2018. Criteria for CNO included unifocal or multifocal inflammatory bone lesions, symptom duration >6 weeks and exclusion of infections and malignancy. All children had an MRI (1.5 tesla) performed at the time of diagnosis; 68 of these examinations were whole-body MRIs including coronal short tau inversion recovery sequences, with additional sequences in equivocal cases.ResultsWe included 75 children (26 boys, or 34.7%), with mean age 10.5 years (range 0–17 years) at diagnosis. Median time from disease onset to diagnosis was 4 months (range 1.5–72.0 months). Fifty-nine of the 75 (78.7%) children presented with pain, with or without swelling or fever, and 17 (22.7%) presented with back pain alone. Inflammatory markers were raised in 46/75 (61.3%) children. Fifty-four of 75 (72%) had a bone biopsy. Whole-body MRI revealed a median number of 6 involved sites (range 1–27). Five children (6.7%) had unifocal disease. The most commonly affected bones were femur in 46 (61.3%) children, tibia in 48 (64.0%), pelvis in 29 (38.7%) and spine in 20 (26.7%). Except for involvement of the fibula and spine, no statistically significant differences were seen according to gender.ConclusionNearly one-fourth of the children presented with isolated back pain, particularly girls. The most common sites of disease were the femur, tibia and pelvic bones. Increased inflammatory markers seem to predict the number of MRI sites involved.

Serial MRI Findings After Endoscopic Removal of Button Battery From the Esophagus.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate findings at serial MRI after endoscopic removal of a button battery from the esophagus in a series of pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Serial MRI examinations after removal of a button battery from the esophagus were reviewed retrospectively for the presence of mediastinal edema; imaging characteristics of the aorta and arteries; imaging characteristics of the trachea; and imaging characteristics of the esophageal wall at the level of injury. RESULTS. A total of 48 MRI examinations were performed on 19 patients, 89% (17/19) in the first 48 hours after battery removal. Serial MRI was performed for 84% (16/19) of patients. Initial MRI showed extensive mediastinal edema in all 17 patients who underwent MRI in the first 48 hours. Edema directly abutted major arteries in all 17 patients and abutted the airway in all 10 patients with proximal esophageal injury. Arterial vascular changes were seen in 30% (3/10) of patients with proximal esophageal injury and 57% (4/7) of patients with mid or distalesophageal injury. Airway changes were seen in 80% (8/10) of patients with proximal esophageal injury. Serial MRI showed improvement of airway changes in all patients and improvement in vessel wall changes in all but one (25%, 1/4) of the patients who had mid or distal esophageal injury. Four patients (21% [4/19]) had contained esophageal leak on esophagrams. No patients in our series developed a tracheoesophageal or vascular-enteric fistula. CONCLUSION. Our case series provides important information on natural history of MRI findings in children after endoscopic removal of a button battery from the esophagus. Further studies are needed to determine the imaging findings most sensitive and specific for severe complications, such as tracheoesophageal fistula and vascular-enteric fistula.

Differential MRI findings of transient synovitis of the hip in children when septic arthritis is suspected according to symptom duration.

We investigated the differential MRI findings in children with transient synovitis of the hip in whom septic arthritis was suspected. Under the hypothesis that disease progression can alter representative MRI findings, we stratified these findings in accordance with symptom duration as this can correlate with disease progression. We analyzed 65 children who underwent MRI for acute hip pain and who were suspected of having a septic condition (i.e. presented with fever or increased inflammatory markers) when the imaging was performed. Symptom duration was defined as the interval from the first presentation of hip pain to the MRI scan. We divided the patients into two subgroups according to symptom duration: patients with short symptom duration (≤2 days, short-term subgroup, n = 30) and those with long symptom duration (≥3 days, long-term subgroup, n = 35). Twenty-eight (43.1%) of the study subjects were diagnosed with septic arthritis. Whereas only a high-grade joint effusion was a significant MRI finding differentiating septic arthritis from transient synovitis in the whole cohort, the presence of contralateral joint effusion in the short-term subgroup (P = 0.024) and the absence of a change/enhancement of the signal intensity of soft tissue in the long-term subgroup (P < 0.001) were significant predictors of transient synovitis. The significances of differential MRI findings for septic arthritis and transient synovitis seem to change according to symptom duration. We suggest that symptom duration, which may correlate with disease progression, should also be considered when interpreting MRIs of children under suspicion of septic arthritis.

MRI findings in children with global developmental delay

Aim and objective: To determine the prevalence of abnormal brain MRI in children aged 2mon to 12yrs with Global developmental delay. Methods: This is a prospective observational study where a total of 42 children aged 6 month to 12 years with developmental delay who underwent MRI imaging of brain during the study period were included. All patients were evaluated clinically and underwent an MRI of the brain performed using a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner. MRI scan was done and findings are recorded. Datas were collected and analyzed statistically. Results: Out of 42 children with developmental delay, 52.4% (n=22) were female and 47.6% (n=20) were male children. About 61.9% (n=26) of children with developmental delay had abnormal findings in MRI. All the children with developmental delay have shown abnormal findings in EEG. Among 26 children with abnormal MRI findings, 6 children (23.1%) had hypoxic ischemic changes, 6 children (23.1%) had white matter disorders, 6 children (23.1%) had atropic changes, infection associated changes (n=2), congenital malformations (n=3), two children (7.7%) had CSF disorders and one child (3.8%) had chronic MCA infarct. Conclusion: Though the specific cause of developmental delay often remains unknown, MRI provides useful diagnostic information in a relatively high percentage of children resistant to diagnosis by nonimaging methods.

Incidental Brain MRI Findings in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The detection of incidental findings on children's brain MR imaging poses various practical issues because the life-long implications of such findings may be profound. Our aim was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of incidental brain MR imaging findings in children. Electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane) were searched for articles published between 1985 to July 2018, with the following search terms: "incidental," "findings," "brain," "MR imaging." Inclusion criteria were the following: 1) patients younger than 21 years of age, 2) healthy children without any clinical condition, 3) MR images obtained with at least a 1.5T magnet, 4) original articles, and 5) a methodologic quality score of ≥10. Two observers independently extracted data and assessed data quality and validity. The number and type of incidental findings were pooled. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran Q statistic and the I2 statistic. Seven studies were included, reporting 5938 children (mean age, 11.3 ± 2.8 years). Incidental findings were present in 16.4% (99% CI, 9.8-26.2; Q = 117.5, I2= 94.9%) of healthy children, intracranial cysts being the most frequent (10.2%, 99% CI, 3.1-28.5; Q = 306.4, I2 = 98.0%). Nonspecific white matter hyperintensities were reported in 1.9% (99% CI, 0.2-16.8; Q = 73.6, I2 = 94.6%), Chiari 1 malformation was found in 0.8% (99% CI, 0.5-1.3; Q = 7.6, I2 = 60.5%), and intracranial neoplasms were reported in 0.2% (99% CI, 0.1-0.6; Q = 3.4, I2 = 12.3%). In total, the prevalence of incidental findings needing follow-up was 2.6% (99% CI, 0.5-11.7; Q = 131.2, I2 = 95.4%). Incidental findings needing specific treatment were brain tumors (0.2%) and cavernomas (0.2%). Limitations were no age stratification or ethnicity data and variation in the design of included studies. The prevalence of incidental findings is much more frequent in children than previously reported in adults, but clinically meaningfull incidental findings were present in <1 in 38 children.

MRI Findings in Children with Headache Seen in a Third-Level Centre.

MRI Findings in Children with Headache Seen in a Third-Level Centre.

Brain MRI findings in children and adolescents with Fabry disease

ObjectiveTo evaluate the presence of white matter and hemorrhagic lesions in brain MRI of children and adolescents with Fabry disease (FD). MethodsBrain MRI studies in 44 consecutive children and teenagers (20 boys, mean age 14.6 years, range 7–21 years) were evaluated using classic sequences as well as, GRE-weighted images, for white matter lesions (WML) and chronic microbleed detection. All patients lacked history of stroke or TIA. Brain MRI findings in 46 consecutive children and adolescents without FD, referred for the evaluation of headaches (36 females, mean age 14.1 years, range 7–21 years) were evaluated as a control group. Additionally, we assessed the clinical manifestations of FD. ResultsSeven children (15.9%) with FD had brain MRI evidence of asymptomatic WML (5 girls, mean age 14.8 years, range: 13–20 years) compared with 3 children (6.5%) in the control group (p = 0.01). Brain abnormalities in patients with FD revealed WML, deep gray matter and infratentorial involvement. Three patients presented two lesions each. None of the children showed microbleeds. Regarding clinical manifestations, 90.9% of the patients had signs or symptoms of FD. ConclusionWe identified asymptomatic white matter brain lesions in 15.9% of children with FD without clinical history of stroke. FD is a treatable disorder that should be routinely included in the differential diagnosis of both symptomatic and asymptomatic brain lesions in children and adolescents. The detection of brain lesions may foster earlier treatment.