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Objective The natural history of Chiari I malformation in children remains unclear. Methods In this population-based retrospective cohort study, we searched radiology reports from all head and spine MRI scans (n=5248) performed among 741, 815 children under age 20 within Kaiser Northern California, 1997–1998, for Chiari I. We reviewed medical records and imaging studies to determine clinical and radiographic predictors of significant neurologic symptoms defined as moderate to severe headache, neck pain, vertigo or ataxia. Results The 51 patients identified with Chiari I represented 1% of children who had head or spine MRI scans performed during the study period. Headache (55%) and neck pain (12%) were the most common symptoms. Syringomyelia was present in 6 patients (12%) at time of initial diagnosis; no new syrinxes developed during follow-up. Older age at time of diagnosis was associated with increased risk of headache (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.5) and significant neurologic symptoms (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.04–1.4). Conclusions Chiari I, an under-recognized cause of headaches in children, is also frequently discovered incidentally in children without symptoms. Larger and longer-term studies are needed to determine the prognosis and optimal treatment of pediatric Chiari I.

Some infants with perinatal arterial ischemic stroke (PAS) experience development of cerebral palsy (CP), epilepsy, and cognitive impairment, whereas others have a normal outcome. Previous prognostic studies rarely have included all diagnosed cases of PAS within a population. Among 199,176 infants born within Kaiser Permanente from 1997 to 2002, we electronically identified head imaging reports and physician diagnoses suggesting stroke. The diagnosis of PAS was confirmed by review of brain imaging and medical records. Presentation of PAS was considered delayed if symptoms were only noted after 28 days. Outcomes were determined by chart review. Of 40 infants with PAS, 36 were observed over 12 months. Abnormal outcomes included CP (58%), epilepsy (39%), language delay (25%), and behavioral abnormalities (22%). A delayed presentation was associated with increased risk for CP (relative risk [RR], 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-4.2). Radiological predictors of CP included large stroke size (RR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2-3.2) and injury to Broca's area (RR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3-5.0), internal capsule (RR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-4.4), Wernicke's area (RR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1-3.8), or basal ganglia (RR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.3). Among infants with PAS, specific radiological findings and a lack of symptoms in the newborn period are associated with increased risk for CP.

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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Third and fourth branchial apparatus anomalies are rare congenital anomalies. The purpose of this study was to investigate imaging features of these lesions on fetal MR imaging in comparison with lymphatic malformations, the major competing differential diagnosis in these cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A retrospective review of our institutional fetal MR imaging database between 1997 and 2019 resulted in 4 patients with confirmed third and fourth branchial apparatus anomalies and 14 patients with confirmed lymphatic malformations. The imaging features were reviewed by consensus, and the Fisher exact test was used to evaluate statistically significant differences between these 2 populations.RESULTS: Four cases of third and fourth branchial apparatus anomalies were imaged at 29 weeks 1 day (range, 23 weeks 1 day to 33 weeks 4 days). All 4 cases demonstrated unilateral, unilocular cysts without reduced diffusion or hemorrhage and a medially directed beaked contour that tapered between the spine and airway at the level of the piriform sinus. Compared with 14 cases of fetal lymphatic malformations imaged at 27 weeks 6 days (range, 21 weeks 3 days to 34 weeks 6 days), third and fourth branchial apparatus cysts were significantly more likely to be unilocular (P , .005) and to have a medially beaked contour (P , .005). The combination of features of unilateral, unilocular, and medially beaked contour was observed only in the fetuses with third and fourth branchial apparatus cysts (P , .001). CONCLUSIONS:The presence of a left-sided unilocular cyst with a medially beaked contour tapering at the level of the piriform sinus suggests the diagnosis of third and fourth branchial apparatus anomaly. Accurate diagnosis in the prenatal period allows proper counseling, genetic work-up, and treatment, potentially sparing patients from recurrent infections and associated morbidity.

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