Holger Pettersson

SP2 Sagittal diameter of cervical spinal canal/age, [radiography] Sagittal diameter of cervical spinal canal/height [radiography]

The sagittal diameter of the cervical spinal canal may be important in the evaluation of a possible intraspinal mass occupying lesion. Most authors measuring the sagittal diameter state that, regardless of age, the diameter either gradually decreases from C1 to C7 or diminishes from C1 to C3 and remains unchanged between C4 and C7. Yousefzadeh et al. (1982), however, pointed out that at ages below 11 years a slight widening of the lower cervical canal might exist in up to 30% of normal individuals. Therefore, the sagittal diameter is an uncertain measure for evaluation of possible intraspinal processes. However, it is valuable for assessing conditions that may lead to spinal stenosis. The present article was chosen as it is based on the largest amount of ‘normal’ material (Tables SP2.1 and SP2.2).

SK2 Cranial growth/age [CT]

With CT, cranial dimensions can be obtained easily, and abnormal growth of the cranium may be detected.

CV1 Cardiac volume according to body surface area [radiography]

When evaluated by an experienced pediatric radiologist, a rough estimation of the cardiac size may be appropriate for clinical use. However, for the more inexperienced radiologist, and for scientific use, three-dimensional measurements provide the most accurate results. In the present method, the cardiac volume is related to the total body surface area. The relative volume in cm3/m2 body surface area should be avoided in children, as it implies large variation during growth (Dahlstrom and Ringertz 1984).

CV6 Diameter of the right descending pulmonary artery/probability of shunt [radiography]

When a left-to-right shunt is suspected, evaluation of the width of the pulmonary vessels is important. On the AP radiographs the right descending pulmonary artery may be measured with accuracy. In the present assessment, the width of the right descending pulmonary artery has been compared with the trachea, to eliminate variable factors such as magnification, age and body surface area.

EX2 Carpal angle/age [radiography]

Variations in the carpal angle occur in several congenital malformations. The normal values of this angle vary with age, race and sex.

SP10 Diameter of the spinal cord [CT and myelography]

Using water-soluble contrast media, the hydrodynamic equilibrium of the subarachnoid space is not disturbed as it is during an air myelography. Using CT examination, exact measurements can be achieved (Table SP10.1).

UT4 Renal length/age [ultrasound]

Ultrasound is today the primary modality in screening the kidneys of children with renal problems. The length of the kidney is the easiest parameter to assess, but volume has a more accurate correlation with most body size parameters in normal subjects (Han and Babcock 1985). There is no obvious ‘internal’ standard with sonography, such as the L1–L3 distance in radiography, even though attempts have been made to determine such parameters (Hederstrom 1985). Of ‘external’ parameters age has been used in a number of studies (Blaine et al. 1985; Dinkel et al. 1985, Han and Babcock 1985).

PH7 Angle measurements of the hip in infants [ultrasound]

Ultrasound is today the method of choiced for early detection of dysplasia and dislocation of the neonatal and infant hip, and also for definition of the severity of disease, as well as for monitoring the progress of healing. The examination may be performed as a dynamic study during provocation manoeuvres, or as a more static morphological examination, based on evaluation of the anatomy of the hip joint. For such evaluation, the present angles are used.

BM2 Cortical mass in neonates [radiography]

There may be considerable bone loss in premature children. The present method, based on measurements of the humeral diaphysis, is practical because it can be applied on standard radiographs of the chest.

PH4 Femoral anteversion/age [CT]

There are a number of published methods for measurement of the anteversion of the femoral neck, based on radiography, fluoroscopy and CT. The three-dimensional anatomy of the hip is complicated, and the large number of methods may indicate that the ideal method has still to be found.