Mark E. Bittman

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment for appendicitis is limited by exam time and patient cooperation. The radially sampled 3-dimensional (3-D) T1-weighted, gradient recalled echo sequence (radial GRE) is a free-breathing, motion robust sequence that may be useful in evaluating appendicitis in children.

Non‐Cartesian magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences have shown great promise for abdominal examination during free breathing, but break down in the presence of bulk patient motion (i.e. voluntary or involuntary patient movement resulting in translation, rotation or elastic deformations of the body). This work describes a data‐consistency‐driven image stabilization technique that detects and excludes bulk movements during data acquisition. Bulk motion is identified from changes in the signal intensity distribution across different elements of a multi‐channel receive coil array. A short free induction decay signal is acquired after excitation and used as a measure to determine alterations in the load distribution. The technique has been implemented on a clinical MR scanner and evaluated in the abdomen. Six volunteers were scanned and two radiologists scored the reconstructions. To show the applicability to other body areas, additional neck and knee images were acquired. Data corrupted by bulk motion were successfully detected and excluded from image reconstruction. An overall increase in image sharpness and reduction of streaking and shine‐through artifacts were seen in the volunteer study, as well as in the neck and knee scans. The proposed technique enables automatic real‐time detection and exclusion of bulk motion during MR examinations without user interaction. It may help to improve the reliability of pediatric MRI examinations without the use of sedation.

Low nephron number has been shown to be a risk factor for hypertension (HTN) in adulthood. Kidney volume may serve as a surrogate marker for nephron mass. The relationship between kidney volume and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) in the pediatric population is not known. A retrospective chart review of children younger than 21 years who were evaluated for HTN was performed. Twenty-four-hour BP and ultrasonography data were obtained. Multiple regression was used to examine associations between BP and kidney volume. Of 84 children (mean age 13.87 years, 72.6% males), 54 had HTN. Systolic BP index during the awake, sleep, and 24-hour periods (all P≤.05) was found to be positively correlated with total kidney volume. Greater total kidney volume was found to be a positive predictor of 24-hour and sleep systolic index (P≤.05). It failed to serve as a predictor of HTN, pre-HTN, or white-coat HTN. Contrary to expectation, total kidney volume was positively associated with systolic BP indices.

The term "congenital vascular anomalies" encompasses those vascular lesions present at birth. Many of these lesions may be detected in utero. This review serves to apprise the readership of newly identified diagnoses and updated classification schemes. Attention is focused on clinical features, patterns of presentation, clinical manifestations and behavior, diagnostic tools, and treatment modalities. It is an invigorating period for this field, with a surge in vascular anomalies-related basic and clinical research, genetics, pharmacology, clinical trials, and patient advocacy. A large number of professional conferences now include vascular anomalies in the agenda, and trainees in multiple specialties are gaining expertise in this discipline. We begin with a summary of classification schemes and introduce the updated classification adopted by the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies. Disease entities are described, with liberal use of photographs, as many diagnoses can be established based on a thorough history and visual appearance and it is thus essential to develop a familiarity with diagnosis-specific physical features. Peripheral (non-central nervous system) vascular anomalies are the focus of this review. We focus on those entities in which diagnostic radiology is routinely used and accentuate when histologic confirmation is essential. We also underscore some differences in approach to the pediatric vs adolescent or adult patient. A list of Internet-based resources is included, with hyperlinks to informative sites. References are limited to seminal discoveries and review articles. We hope that our enthusiasm in writing this review will be shared by those who read this review.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is commonly performed in the evaluation of known or suspected pancreaticobiliary disease in children. The administration of a negative oral contrast agent can improve the quality of the examination without significant additional cost. We describe our experience with certain brands of acai juice, blueberry juice and pineapple juice as negative oral contrast agents in children. We believe these fruit juices are safe, palatable and may improve MRCP image quality.