Multislice CT in congenital bronchopulmonary malformations in children

Abstract

Congenital bronchopulmonary malformations encompass a wide spectrum of pathologies involving the lungs, trachea and bronchi, pulmonary vessels, and oesophagus. These developmental lesions are often isolated, but the association of two or more anomalies is not infrequent. Contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), thanks to multiplanar and 3D reconstructions, allows for detailed studies of these malformations, achieving better accuracy compared with conventional techniques such as chest X-ray, fluoroscopy, ventilation and perfusion scintigraphy and ultrasonography. MDCT is characterised by fast data acquisition and does not require sedation in the majority of cases. The main drawbacks of MDCT are the use of ionising radiation and - in many cases -contrast media. Recently, improved CT scanners and optimised CT protocols have made available to children all the benefits of MDCT, thanks to a significant reduction in radiation dose and an improved risk-benefit ratio. The aim of our paper was to evaluate MDCT in children with bronchopulmonary malformations by reporting our experience (about 2,400 studies in 30 months with a 64-slice MDCT scanner) and comparing it with the available literature.

Imaging modalities in children with vascular ring and pulmonary artery sling

“…Computed tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) are now the diagnostic methods of choice for the assessment of CTAA . CT is fast, reliable, and allows a more accurate definition of airway and foregut malformations due to its higher spatial resolution . However, CT exposes the patient to ionizing radiation, which is particularly relevant for pediatric patients.…”

Chest and Cardiac Findings on High-Resolution Computed Tomography in Children on Regular Hemodialysis with Abnormal Spirometry

“…However, the sensitivity of chest X-ray is known to be low (13). Therefore, CT of the chest was performed, and for this pediatric group, the use of HRCT using a low radiation dose protocol for optimal pediatric chest imaging was considered to accurately evaluate the central airway, cardiovascular and mediastinal abnormalities, and lung parenchyma (16,17,(31)(32)(33).…”

“…diation dose protocol for optimal pediatric chest imaging is currently considered an important diagnostic tool to accurately evaluate the thoracic structures (15)(16)(17).…”

Paediatric multi-detector row chest CT: what you really need to know

“…Children should always have their intravenous access for contrast enhancement sited prior to arrival in the radiology department in order to help disassociate the CT department from the trauma of having the cannula sited [2]. …”

“…Using a low dose protocol and thin slice (0.6 mm) collimation, images are reconstructed with overlapping or contiguous slices on soft tissue and high spatial resolution (bony) algorithm for optimal mediastinal and lung parenchymal display respectively [1, 2, 14, 15] (Fig. 1).…”