Pediatric Interventional Radiology Research Articles

Central Line Repair in Pediatric Patients in the Pediatric Emergency Department by Emergency Physicians-A Single-Center Experience.

Central venous catheters are more common with advanced treatments for a variety of conditions. These catheters may need to be repaired after local damage. This has been performed by those more involved with catheter placement such as pediatric surgeons and interventional radiologists. Gastroenterologists who treat many of these patients have also been involved with catheter repair. Repair by pediatric emergency physicians has not been explored. Such repairs by the emergency physician may be time saving and avoid unnecessary admissions. This was a retrospective study of a single center's experience with catheter repair. The performers and outcomes were compared. During the study period, 52 catheter repairs were performed on 7 children. Forty of the repairs were performed by a pediatric emergency physician, 5 by pediatric surgeons, and 5 by interventional radiology. All but 1 repair was successful. Infectious complications were reported in 3 cases. None required catheter removal. The length of stay was significantly shorter for repair by emergency physician. Central line catheter repair can be performed successfully by pediatric emergency physician with minimal complications. A dedicated process of repair tutoring is required and may avoid infectious complications.

Paediatric interventional radiology: it’s not child’s play

Pediatric interventional radiology is a dynamic and growing subspecialty. The new training pathways in interventional radiology, the maintenance of skills with a small volume of cases or complex procedures, the limited availability of specific pediatric equipment and materials pose significant challenges and opportunities.

Radiation reduction for interventional radiology imaging: a video frame interpolation solution

PurposeThe aim of this study was to diminish radiation exposure in interventional radiology (IR) imaging while maintaining image quality. This was achieved by decreasing the acquisition frame rate and employing a deep neural network to interpolate the reduced frames.MethodsThis retrospective study involved the analysis of 1634 IR sequences from 167 pediatric patients (March 2014 to January 2022). The dataset underwent a random split into training and validation subsets (at a 9:1 ratio) for model training and evaluation. Our approach proficiently synthesized absent frames in simulated low-frame-rate sequences by excluding intermediate frames from the validation subset. Accuracy assessments encompassed both objective experiments and subjective evaluations conducted by nine radiologists.ResultsThe deep learning model adeptly interpolated the eliminated frames within IR sequences, demonstrating encouraging peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity index (SSIM) results. The average PSNR values for angiographic, subtraction, and fluoroscopic modes were 44.94 dB, 34.84 dB, and 33.82 dB, respectively, while the corresponding SSIM values were 0.9840, 0.9194, and 0.7752. Subjective experiments conducted with experienced interventional radiologists revealed minimal discernible differences between interpolated and authentic sequences.ConclusionOur method, which interpolates low-frame-rate IR sequences, has shown the capability to produce high-quality IR images. Additionally, the model exhibits potential for reducing the frame rate during IR image acquisition, consequently mitigating radiation exposure.Critical relevance statementThis study presents a critical advancement in clinical radiology by demonstrating the effectiveness of a deep neural network in reducing radiation exposure during pediatric interventional radiology while maintaining image quality, offering a potential solution to enhance patient safety.Key points• Reducing radiation: cutting IR image to reduce radiation.• Accurate frame interpolation: our model effectively interpolates missing frames.• High visual quality in terms of PSNR and SSIM, making IR procedures safer without sacrificing quality.Graphical

Local Diagnostic Reference Levels for Pediatric Interventional Cardiology Procedures in Argentina.

The aim of this work was to propose a preliminary local diagnostic reference levels (DRL) for pediatric interventional cardiology (PIC) procedures in Argentina, for different ranges of age and weight. This work has been conducted in the framework of the "Optimization of Protection in Pediatric Interventional Radiology in Latin America and the Caribbean" (OPRIPALC) program coordinated by the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensuring that radiation exposures of pediatric patients are the minimum necessary during fluoroscopy-guided interventional procedures. The local DRL values presented in this paper by weight group and age group were 7.1 Gy·cm2 (<5 kg), 10.7 Gy·cm2 (5-15 kg), 18.0 Gy·cm2 (15-30 kg), 15.9 Gy·cm2 (30-50 kg), and 28.2 Gy·cm2 (50-80 kg) and 5.3 Gy·cm2 (<1), 11.2 Gy·cm2 (1 to 5<), 19.6 Gy·cm2 (5 to 10<), and 21.4 Gy·cm2 (10 to 16<), respectively. Our dose results are among the values found in other international studies; however, there is great potential for dose optimization.

Optimization of Radiation Protection in Pediatric Interventional Radiology in Latin America and the Caribbean: Development, Advancements, Challenges and Achievements of the OPRIPALC Program.

This article presents the development, advancements, challenges and achievements of the "Optimization of Protection in Pediatric Interventional Radiology in Latin America and the Caribbean" (OPRIPALC) program. This international initiative is led by the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency. The main objectives of OPRIPALC are to foster a culture of radiological protection in pediatric interventions, enhance these procedures' quality, and define optimization strategies such as the use of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs). Currently, 33 centers from 12 countries participate actively in the program. Significant progress has been made towards the proposed objectives, overcoming the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through many virtual meetings for coordination, planning, training and follow-up, a comprehensive set of DRLs for both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, categorized by weight and age, have been established and are in use. A consensus document on good practices is in the final stage of development. The program's continuation into at least a second phase is essential to address pending issues, including the integration of automatic dose management systems, the levels of occupational radiation doses, their correlation with pediatric patient doses, and strategies to reduce them.

Interventional radiology training in the UK: a view from within-a national survey.

Interventional radiology (IR) training in the UK has evolved since recognition as a subspecialty in 2010 and introduction of a new curriculum in 2021. The changing landscape, increasing workload and COVID-19 have affected training. The purpose of this study was to review trainees' perspectives on training and develop strategies to further improve training. Online survey approved by the British Society of Interventional Radiology Council distributed to British Society of Interventional Radiology Trainee members between 9 March 22 and 25 March 2022. The survey was open to all UK based ST4-6 IR trainees and fellows. Descriptive and thematic analysis was undertaken. 43 responses were received from 17/19 UK training regions. Females represented 10% (4/41) and 5% (2/43) less than full time (LTFT) trainees. 82% (31/38) felt their curriculum was suitable for their training and 28/38 (74%) were satisfied with IR training. Vascular IR, Interventional Oncology, paediatrics and stroke thrombectomy were identified as areas of training desiring improvement. 45% (18/40) stated exposure to IR led clinics and 17.5% (7/40) to IR led ward rounds. Only 6/38 (15.7%) received structured IR teaching at least once a month. Approximately, a third of respondents (13/38) stated training opportunities were significantly compromised secondary to COVID-19. This survey shows overall good satisfaction with IR training. However, improved training opportunities in vascular IR, interventional oncology, paediatric IR and stroke thrombectomy are required. In addition, access to clinics, ward rounds and protected time for research is needed to improve training quality. New national UK IR training survey.

Implementation of a hospital-wide massive transfusion protocol at a tertiary cancer center.

440 Background: Massive Transfusion Protocol (MTP) is a term used to describe a process to deliver blood products rapidly to treat life-threatening hemorrhage. MTPs follow a prescribed algorithm to efficiently replace blood products in set ratios. Three components of MTP include immediate availability of blood products, set types and ratios of blood products, and standardized roles for health care providers. MTP is associated with decreased morbidity and mortality compared to provider-driven decisions on blood transfusion. Methods: The Quality Improvement Assessment Board approved this initiative to standardize and create an MTP process outside of the Operating Room (OR). We assembled a multidisciplinary team to review and adopt evidence-based practices for MTP. A core group of content experts developed the relevant policy and protocol for activation and use of MTP in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Emergency Room (ER), Interventional Radiology (IR) and inpatient floor. Simulations were held in these areas and Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) cycles used to improve the processes. Improvements included adjustment to the quantity and type of emergency release products immediately available, the timing of when platelets were delivered to providers and development of a ‘pull’ process for the Blood Bank to prepare additional blood products minimizing wastage. Following these changes, the MTP process became consistent and could be activated from all of the targeted locations. Each MTP episode was reviewed for outcomes and efficiency metrics. We held multidisciplinary care debriefings to review hemorrhagic events for areas of improvement. The OR had an existing process that was separate from this initiative, but will be aligned June 2023 and included in future analysis. Results: Baseline, from January 2022 to September 2022, 32 massive transfusion events occurred (3.5 per month). After implementation of the MTP protocol, from October 2022 to May 2023, the MTP protocol was activated 36 times (4.5 per month). There were 7 (22%) deaths at baseline and 5 (14%) after implementation. The average length of time from activation to receipt of first blood product was 26 minutes at baseline and 25 minutes with MTP. The average number of units administered at baseline included 7.7 units of red blood cells (RBC), 7.6 units fresh frozen plasma (FFP), 1 unit single donor platelets, and 2 units cryoprecipitate compared to after implementation of 6.9 units RBC, 6 units FFP, 1.6 units single donor platelets, and 3 units cryoprecipitate. The ICU was the most common MTP activation location (44%), followed by ER (19%), PICU (17%), the floor (14%) and IR (6%). Conclusions: It is feasible and safe to deploy an MTP throughout an institution. Preliminary data show a decrease in the percentage of patient deaths with use of MTP. Additional analysis are planned to evaluate the incremental improvements made with each PDSA cycle.

Radiología intervencionista en pediatría: no es un juego de niños

Pediatric interventional radiology is a dynamic and growing subspecialty. The new training pathways in interventional radiology, the maintenance of skills with a small volume of cases or complex procedures, the limited availability of specific pediatric equipment and materials, the effects of sedation or anesthesia on neurodevelopment or radiological on neurodevelopment or radiation protection pose significant challenges and opportunities.

Pediatric Renovascular Hypertension: A Pediatric Interventional Radiologist's Perspective.

Renovascular hypertension (RVH) contributes close to one-fourth of the secondary etiologies of hypertension in children and a delay in diagnosis can result in adverse clinical outcomes. RVH in children is clinically silent with elevations in blood pressure measurements sometimes as its sole manifestation. Only a high index of suspicion by the clinician can prompt its detection. Despite the availability of other imaging modalities like ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, digital subtraction angiography is still considered the gold standard to make a diagnosis of RVH. Angioplasty is considered the treatment of choice in appropriately selected patients. In this article, we shall focus on the various imaging findings, and management of RVH in children, which requires a multidisciplinary approach with a special focus on the role of interventional radiology.

Fostering research in pediatric interventional radiology: needs assessment and suggestions for support.

Due to the rarity of pediatric diseases, collaborative research is the key to maximizing the impact of research studies. A research needs assessment survey was created to support initiatives to foster pediatric interventional radiology research. To assess the status of pediatric interventional radiology research, identify perceived barriers, obtain community input on areas of research/education/support, and create metrics for evaluating changes/responses to programmatic initiatives. A survey link was sent to approximately 275 members of the Society for Pediatric Interventional Radiology (SPIR) between May and October 2020. Data was collected using a web-based interface. Data collected included practice setting, clinical role, research experience, research barriers, and suggestions for future initiatives. Fifty-nine surveys were analyzed with a staff physician survey response rate of 28% (56/198). A wide range of practice sizes from 15 countries were represented. Respondents were predominantly staff physicians (95%; 56/59) with an average of 11years (range: 1-25years) of clinical experience working at academic or freestanding children's hospitals. A total of 100% (59/59) had research experience, and 70% (41/58) had published research with a mean of 30 peer-reviewed publications (range: 1-200). For job security, 56% (33/59) of respondents were expected or required to publish, but only 19% (11/58) had research support staff, and 42% (25/59) had protected research time, but of those, 36% (9/25) got the time "sometimes or never." Lack of support staff, established collaborative processes, and education were identified as top barriers to performing research. The needs assessment survey demonstrated active research output despite several identified barriers. There is a widespread interest within the pediatric interventional radiology community for collaborative research.

Inter-disciplinary provider development of an online, interactive adolescent varicocele decision aid prototype.

Decision-making regarding varicocele management can be a complex process for patients and families. However, to date, no studies have presented ways to mitigate the decisional conflict surrounding varicoceles. To facilitate a discussion among physicians in order to develop a framework of the decision-making process regarding adolescent varicocele management, which will inform the development of the first online, interactive decision aid. Semi-structured interviews with pediatric urologists and interventional radiologists were conducted to discuss their rationale for varicocele decision-making. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded. Key themes were identified, grouped, and then qualitatively analyzed using thematic analysis. Utilizing the common themes identified and the Ottawa Decision Support Framework, a decision aid prototype was developed and transformed into a user-friendly website: varicoceledecisionaid.com. Pediatric urologists (n=10) and interventional radiologists (n=2) were interviewed. Key themes identified included: (1) definition/epidemiology; (2) observation as an appropriate management choice; (3) reasons to recommend repair; (4) types of repair; (5) reasons to recommend one repair over another; (6) shared decision-making; and (7) appropriate counseling. With this insight, a varicocele decision aid prototype was developed that engages patients and parents in the decision-making process. This is the first interactive and easily accessible varicocele decision aid prototype developed by inter-disciplinary physicians for patients. This tool aids in decision-making surrounding varicocele surgery. It can be used before or after consultation to help families understand more about varicoceles and their repair, and why intervention may or may not be offered. It also considers a patient and family's personal values. Future studies will incorporate the patient and family perspective into the decision-making aid as well as implement and test the usability of this decision aid prototype in practice and in the wider urologic community.

Novel method to biopsy aneurysmal bone cysts in children.

The thin and friable septations composing aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC) may be challenging to target for percutaneous biopsy. The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate a novel method of ABC biopsy using endomyocardial biopsy forceps as an attempt to capture larger fragments of tissue for diagnosis. This was a retrospective study performed over a 17-year period. Patients <18 years old who underwent percutaneous biopsy for a presumed ABC, based on pre-procedure imaging, were included. Medical records were reviewed to identify age, sex, lesion location, biopsy procedure details, complications, and pathology results. A diagnostic biopsy was defined as conclusive histologic confirmation. Inconclusive findings or findings suggestive of but not diagnostic of an ABC were treated as non-diagnostic, even if imaging and clinical findings were characteristic. Biopsy device selection and quantity of tissue obtained was at the discretion of the pediatric interventional radiologist. Fisher's exact test was used to compare the diagnostic yield of standard biopsies to those employing biopsy forceps. Twenty-three biopsies were performed in 18 patients (11 female) with a median age of 14.7 years (IQR 10.6-15.6). Lesions were located in the extremities (7, 30.4%), chest (6, 26.1%), pelvis (5, 21.7%), spine (4, 17.4%), and mandible (1, 4.3%). Specimens were obtained using a 13- or 15-gauge bone coring needle (11, 47.8%); 14-, 16-, or 18-gauge soft tissue needle (6, 26.1%); or a combination of bone and soft tissue (4, 17.4%) needles. Endomyocardial biopsy forceps were utilized in 7 cases (30.4%), 2 in which it was the only device used. Overall, a conclusive pathologic diagnosis was made in 13/23 (56.5%) biopsies. Of the diagnostic biopsies, 1 was a unicameral bone cyst and all others were ABCs. No malignancy was identified. Compared to the standard approach, the use of forceps was more likely to result in a diagnostic biopsy (40.0% vs 100.0%, p = 0.008). There were no complications. Endomyocardial biopsy forceps offer an additional, novel technique to biopsy presumed ABCs and may improve diagnostic yield.

Establishing a pediatric interventional radiology inpatient consult service.

To delineate pediatric interventional radiology (IR) inpatient consult growth and resulting collections after implementation of a pediatric IR consult service. An inpatient IR consult process was created at a single academic children's hospital in October 2019. IR consult note templates were created in Epic (Epic Systems Corporation, Verona, Wisconsin) and utilized by 4 IR physicians. Automatic charge generation was linked to differing levels of evaluation and management (E&M) service relating to current procedural terminology (CPT) inpatient consult codes 99251-99255. The children's hospital informatics division identified IR consult notes entered from the implementation of the consult service: October 2019 to January 2022. The university radiology department billing office provided IR service E&M charge, payment, and relative value units (RVU) information during this study period. A chart review was performed to determine the IR procedure conversion rate.Mann-Whitney and a two-sample t-test statistical analyses compared use of the 25-modifier, monthly consult growth and monthly payment growth. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Within this 27-month period, a total of 2153 inpatient IR consults were performed during 1757 Epic hospital encounters; monthly consult peak was reached 5months into the study period. Consult level breakdown by CPT codes: 99251-8.7%, 99252-81.7%, and 99253-8.8%. 69.7% of IR consults had consult-specific billing with payments in 96.4% resulting in $143,976 new revenue. From 2020 to 2021, IR consult volume trended upward by 13.4% (P =0.069), and consult-specific payments increased by 84.1% (P<0.001). IR consult procedure conversion rate was 96.5%. An inpatient pediatric IR consult service was quickly established and maintained by four physicians over a 27-month study period. Annual IR consult volume trended upward and consult-specific payments increased, resulting in previously uncaptured IR service revenue.

Association of Organizational Pathways With the Delay of Emergency Surgery

Delayed admission of patients with surgical emergencies to the operating room occurs frequently and is associated with poor outcomes. In France, where 3 distinct organizational pathways in hospitals exist (a dedicated emergency operating room and team [DET], a dedicated operating room in a central operating theater [DOR], and no dedicated structure or team [NOR]), neither the incidence nor the influence of delayed urgent surgery is known, and no guidelines are available to date. To examine the overall frequency of delayed admission of patients with surgical emergencies to the operating room across the 3 organizational pathways in hospitals in France. This prospective multicenter cohort study was conducted in 10 French tertiary hospitals. All consecutive adult patients admitted for emergency surgery from October 5 to 16, 2020, were included and prospectively monitored. Patients requiring pediatric surgery, obstetrics, interventional radiology, or endoscopic procedures were excluded. Emergency surgery. The main outcome was the global incidence of delayed emergency surgery across 3 predefined organizational pathways: DET, DOR, and NOR. The ratio between the actual time to surgery (observed duration between surgical indication and incision) and the ideal time to surgery (predefined optimal duration between surgical indication and incision according to the Non-Elective Surgery Triage classification) was calculated for each patient. Surgery was considered delayed when this ratio was greater than 1. A total of 1149 patients were included (mean [SD] age, 55 [21] years; 685 [59.9%] males): 649 in the DET group, 320 in the DOR group, and 171 in the NOR group (missing data: n = 5). The global frequency of surgical delay was 32.5% (95% CI, 29.8%-35.3%) and varied across the 3 organizational pathways: DET, 28.4% (95% CI, 24.8%-31.9%); DOR, 32.2% (95% CI, 27.0%-37.4%); and NOR, 49.1% (95% CI, 41.6%-56.7%) (P < .001). The adjusted odds ratio for delay was 1.80 (95% CI, 1.17-2.78) when comparing NOR with DET. In this cohort study, the frequency of delayed emergency surgery in France was 32.5%. Reduced delays were found in organizational pathways that included dedicated theaters and teams. These preliminary results may pave the way for comprehensive large-scale studies, from which results may potentially inform new guidelines for quicker and safer access to emergency surgery.

Local reference and achievable dose levels for vascular and enterostomy access procedures in pediatric interventional radiology.

Knowledge of radiation quantities delivered in routine practice is an essential responsibility of a pediatric interventional radiology department. To review radiation indices in frequently performed vascular and enterostomy access procedures at a quaternary pediatric hospital to formulate dosimetric reference levels and achievable levels. A retrospective review of patient demographics, procedure information and quantitative dose metrics over a 2-year period was performed. Dosimetric details forcommon procedures (central line insertions, gastrostomy/gastrojejunostomy insertions and maintenance) were evaluated, correlated with demographic data and stratified acrossfive weight groups (0-5kg, 5-15kg, 15-30kg, 30-50kg, 50-80kg).Achievable (50th percentile) and reference (75thpercentile)levels with confidence intervals were established for each procedure. Within the evaluation period, 3,165 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Five were classified as device insertions (peripherally inserted central catheter, n=1,145; port-a-catheter, n=321; central venous line, n=285; gastrostomy-tube [G-tube], n=262, and gastrojejunostomy-tube [GJ-tube], n=66),and two were classified as maintenance procedures (G-tube, n=358, and GJ-tube, n=728, checks, exchanges and reinsertions). Representative reference and achievable levels were calculated for each procedure category and weight group. This work highlights the creation of local reference and achievable levels for common pediatric interventional procedures. These data establish a dosimetric reference to understand the quantity of radiation routinely applied, allowing for improved relative radiation risk assessment and enriched communication to interventionalists, health care providers, parents and patients.

Local diagnostic reference levels in diagnostic and therapeutic pediatric cardiology at a specialist pediatric hospital in South Africa

Abstract Introduction: Children may be at a higher risk of experiencing the detrimental effects of ionizing radiation arising from medical radiation imaging. Dose optimisation is therefore recommended to provide assurance that their exposure is as low as reasonably achievable. To this end, periodic assessment of dose levels and establishment of Local Diagnostic Reference Levels (LDRLs) in medical facilities is necessary. There is a general paucity in the literature of data pertaining to dose levels in pediatric interventional radiology. This study establishes LDRLs in diagnostic and therapeutic heart catheterization procedures at a specialist pediatric hospital in a resource constrained country. Material and methods: Dose indicators from actual patient procedures were collected from the archive and analyzed retrospectively to determine the median, 25th, and 75th percentiles of the total Air Kerma Area Product (KAP), Cumulative Air Kerma (CAK), total Fluoroscopy Time (FT), and a total number of Cine Images (CI) of selected interventional procedures. The dose indicators were also age-stratified into five age groups defined by the International Commission on Radiation Protection publication 135. The results were compared to values available from similar studies in the literature to benchmark our dose levels. Local Dose Reference Levels were set as the 75th percentile values. Results: For diagnostic procedures (n = 80), the 75th percentiles of KAP, CAK, FT, and CI were 4.0 Gy·cm2, 31.5 mGy, 14.3 min, and 315 frames, respectively and 3.2 Gy·cm2, 30.5 mGy, 17.5 min, and 606 frames, respectively for therapeutic procedures (n = 143). Conclusions: The LDRLs from this study did not vary significantly from those published in the literature, suggesting that practices at our center were comparable to international norms. Regular reviews of the LDRLs must be conducted to check that the dose levels do not deviate considerably.

Update on Pediatric Interventional Radiology.

The field of pediatric interventional radiology encompasses the treatment of a broad range of patients. Whether treating a premature infant who weighs less than 1 kg or treating an adult-sized teenager who weighs more than 100 kg, the innovative skills of the interventional radiologist are required to adapt equipment designed for adult patients, to meet the needs of children. Moreover, children cannot be treated simply as small adults owing to a number of factors, including differences in physiology, disease processes, and treatment techniques between pediatric and adult patients. In this article, the unique medical needs of children are highlighted, noting specific areas the interventional radiologist should be aware of when treating patients of all ages. Specific focus is placed on the unique considerations related to children in terms of their periprocedural needs and the procedural modifications required for routine pediatric procedures, with specific diseases of the liver, chest, and musculoskeletal system highlighted. The broader topic of vascular anomalies, although an important part of pediatric interventional radiology, was intentionally excluded to highlight some of the lesser-known procedures performed. ©RSNA, 2022.

OA32 Minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided tissue biopsies of synovial tissue in children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis for research: a feasibility study

Introduction/BackgroundWhen investigating disease mechanisms, site-specific differences in immune cell phenotype and function have highlighted the need to analyse cellular and molecular mechanisms at the tissue site directly. In adults, the ability to obtain synovial tissue biopsies using ultrasound-guided techniques, combined with advanced tissue analytics, has revolutionised our understanding of the cellular ecosystem that operates within the joint and how it contributes to disease. However, a similar approach in paediatric disease is lacking. Description/MethodAims: 1) To describe the protocol for undertaking minimally invasive ultrasound-guided synovial tissue biopsies in children and young people with arthritis, for the purpose of research, alongside routine clinical care. 2) To investigate whether high-quality synovial tissue can be obtained that is suitable for downstream applications including single cell profiling technologies, histology and digital spatial profiling.Treatment-naïve children with a diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, who were being referred for a corticosteroid joint injection were recruited from two large UK Paediatric Rheumatology centres. We established a workflow pipeline for performing synovial tissue biopsies in child and young people with arthritis, using standardised procedures for biopsy and sample processing. Procedures were performed by experienced paediatric interventional radiologists with experience of joint biopsy for diagnostic purposes. Following a general anaesthetic, required as part of routine clinical care and the establishment of sterility, synovial fluid was aspirated. Needle-biopsies were undertaken from the same needle insertion site and subsequently corticosteroid was injected into the joint. Thickened synovium was graded via ultrasonography. Participating families completed questionnaires prior to and following synovial biopsy.Discussion/Results11 participants were recruited to the study over a nine month period, with a median age of 7 years (range 1-16 years); 91% were female. Samples obtained included core synovial biopsies, paired synovial fluid and peripheral blood. Synovial tissue fragments were processed for histology by formalin fixation and cryopreserved for downstream applications, including RNA sequencing and cell culture. Quality control indices included histological analysis to ensure the biopsied material was characteristically synovium and to grade the severity of inflammation. No significant complications were reported; however, one child had a mild haemarthrosis controlled with cold saline wash out and cold compresses.Key learning points/ConclusionObtaining biopsies of synovial tissue in children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis for the purpose of research, alongside clinical care is feasible. Analysis of tissue direct from the site of inflammation with single-cell RNA sequencing in children is achievable.

Adjunctive techniques for percutaneous enteral access in children: a pictorial review.

Primary percutaneous gastrostomy and gastrojejunostomy tube placements are fundamental procedures performed in pediatric interventional radiology, with both antegrade and retrograde techniques described. In pediatric patients, however, challenges may arise due to smaller patient size and anatomical variations. Several adjunctive techniques may facilitate safe percutaneous access in the setting of a limited percutaneous gastric access window. These include the intra-procedural use of cone beam computed tomography (CT), percutaneous needle decompression in the setting of distended air-filled bowel interposed between the stomach and abdominal wall, post-pyloric balloon occlusion to facilitate gastric distension, ultrasound-guided gastric puncture, and intra-gastric contrast-enhanced ultrasound (ceUS) to define the relationship of the gastric wall and the anterior abdominal wall. Adjunctive techniques may increase successful primary percutaneous gastroenteric tube placement and may improve operator confidence in safe placement.

Role of Interventional Radiology in Pediatric Cancer Patients.

Pediatric interventional radiology (IR) is a growing subspecialty. Here, we review the current role of IR in children with cancer, which uses imaging such as ultrasound, fluoroscopy, and computed tomography to perform minimally invasive procedures. These include biopsy, needle localization, central venous access, thermal ablation, transarterial chemoembolization, transarterial radioembolization with yttrium-90, non-tunneled/tunneled drainage catheter placement, and lymphatic interventions. Although locoregional therapies for the treatment of cancer in adults are common, they are less common in children, perhaps due to the relative rarity of cancer in children, their typically better performance status, and paucity of comorbidities. Preliminary results from small-scale studies for ablation, transarterial chemoembolization, and transarterial radioembolization with yttrium-90 used in the front-line armamentarium of curative therapy are encouraging. Pediatric IR offers an array of minimally invasive procedures intended to diagnose and treat pediatric cancer patients. However, more research is required to determine the efficacy of locoregional therapy in children and to define the clinical scenarios where benefit is likely to be optimized.