Laurent Garel

Imaging and therapeutic approach of hemangiomas and vascular malformations in the pediatric age group

Abstract Terminology regarding the vascular lesions of the soft tissues remains confusing. A single classification is necessary in order to decide on the proper investigation and the best treatment. At the Workshop on Vascular Anomalies in Rome in June 1996, the membership accepted the Mulliken and Glowacki classification, which differentiates vascular lesions into vascular tumors, including hemangiomas and vascular malformations. At Sainte-Justine, we have set up a multidisciplinary clinic for the discussion of problem patients with vascular anomalies, both in terms of diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we present our experience regarding the classification, the imaging modalities and the treatment of vascular anomalies. In our experience, Doppler ultrasound should be the initial imaging modality for recognizing vascular tumors from vascular malformations. CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging is best to evaluate the extent of the lesions prior to treatment. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to establish a correct diagnosis and define accordingly the appropriate treatment and follow-up.

Placenta percreta: Balloon occlusion and embolization of the internal iliac arteries to reduce intraoperative blood losses☆☆☆★

Obstetric hemorrhage is still a potential cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. Angiographic embolization techniques have been described in cases of postcesarean bleeding, vaginal wall hematomas, cervical ectopic pregnancies, and postpartum bleeding to control persistent bleeding from pelvic vessels. We describe two cases of pregnancy complicated with placenta percreta. Balloon occlusion and embolization of the hypogastric arteries were performed during the cesarean section and hysterectomy, resulting in a remarkable reduction in intraoperative blood loss. Balloon occlusion and embolization of the internal iliac arteries significantly reduce intraoperative blood losses.

Surgical indications in antenatally diagnosed ovarian cysts

The antenatal diagnosis of ovarian cysts poses a therapeutic dilemma because the natural history of these lesions is not well known. A retrospective review from 1980 to 1989 showed 29 ovarian cysts in 27 patients diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography performed between 28 and 36 weeks of gestation. Nineteen cysts were initially observed. Eleven cysts resolved (diameter less than 2 cm), three are decreasing, three were lost to follow-up, and two underwent resection. Eight patients underwent surgical exploration immediately following birth. The diagnosis of benign ovarian cyst was confirmed histologically in all cases. A review of the literature showed an additional 230 cases of antenatally diagnosed ovarian cysts. Simple cysts of the ovary tend to resolve spontaneously and, therefore, may be treated conservatively. Serial ultrasonography allows accurate diagnosis and long-term assessment of ovarian cysts in the neonate and may prevent unnecessary oophorectomy. Patients with cysts larger than 4 cm may be candidates for percutaneous aspiration, or should undergo removal of the cyst because of a significant risk of torsion. Complex cystic masses, symptomatic ovarian cysts, and cysts that do not resolve should be removed.

Incidence of deep vein thrombosis related to peripherally inserted central catheters in children and adolescents

Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) in children and adolescents are being used with increasing frequency. We sought to determine the incidence and characterize risk factors of deep vein thrombosis associated with peripherally inserted central catheters in a pediatric population. Methods: We conducted a prospective study involving consecutive patients referred to the radiology department of a tertiary care university-affiliated hospital for insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter. We included patients aged 18 years or less who weighed more than 2.5 kg and had a peripherally inserted central catheter successfully inserted in his or her arm between June 2004 and November 2005. The primary outcome was the occurrence of partial or complete deep vein thrombosis evaluated by clinical examination, ultrasonography and venous angiography. Results: A total of 214 patients (101 girls, 113 boys) were included in the study. Partial or complete deep vein thrombosis occurred in 20 patients, for an incidence of 93.5 per 1000 patients and 3.85 per 1000 catheter-days. Only 1 of the cases was symptomatic. In the univariable analyses, the only variable significantly associated with deep vein thrombosis was the presence of factor II mutation G20210A (odds ratio 7.08, 95% confidence interval 1.11–45.15, p = 0.04), a genetic mutation that increases the risk of a blood clot and that was present in 5 (2.3%) of the 214 patients. Interpretation: The incidence of deep vein thrombosis related to peripherally inserted central catheters in our study was lower than the incidence related to centrally inserted venous catheters described in the pediatric literature (11%–50%).

Fetal hydronephrosis: is there hope for consensus?

This review article aims at summarizing the data regarding fetal and neonatal hydronephrosis, at correlating controversial data with the differences in the practice of obstetrical sonography from one country to another, and finally, at presenting our own criteria for fetal renal collecting system dilatation along with our own guidelines of postnatal investigation.

Sclerotherapy in aneurysmal bone cysts in children: a review of 17 cases

ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy of percutaneous sclerotherapy in the treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts.Materials and methodsSeventeen patients (7 girls, 10 boys) with aneurysmal bone cysts were treated by the percutaneous approach with Ethibloc (n=14) and histoacryl glue (n=3) in our institution between January 1994 and June 2000. The cysts were located in the extremities (n=6), pelvis (n=2), spine (n=2), mandible (n=5), rib (n=1) and sphenoid bone (n=1). Percutaneous sclerotherapy was performed with fluoroscopic and/or computed tomographic guidance under general anesthesia. Clinical and imaging follow-up lasted from 24 months to 9 years and 6 months (mean: 57.3 months). The results were quantified as: excellent (residual cyst less than 20% of the initial involvement), satisfactory (residual cyst 30–50%), unsatisfactory (residual cyst more than 50%).ResultsThe age of the patients ranged from 4 years and 6 months to 15 years and 8 months (mean: 11 years and 2 months). In nine patients, the therapeutic procedure was repeated 2–5 times. Excellent regression was observed in 16 (94%), satisfactory results in 1 (6%). There was no failure (unsatisfactory result or no response to treatment) in this reported series. The complications were minor and included: local inflammatory reaction (n=2), small blister (n=1), and leakage (n=1). Relief of symptoms was achieved in all patients. No recurrence was noted during follow-up.ConclusionPercutaneous sclerotherapy of aneurysmal bone cysts with Ethibloc is safe and effective. It is an important alternative to surgery, especially when surgery is technically impossible or not recommended in high-risk patients.

Isolated complete transection of the common bile duct due to blunt trauma in a child, and review of the literature.

A case of isolated complete transection of the common bile duct due to blunt abdominal trauma in a 3-year-old child is presented. The rarity of this injury and its initial presentation as a pancreatic pseudocyst warrant its description. This patient, the fifteenth child to be reported in the literature, was diagnosed as having a biliary injury following ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage. Choledochal transection was documented at laparotomy and was successfully treated by proximal cholecystostomy and choledochojejunostomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction. Delayed diagnosis is common, but this injury should always be kept in mind. Early diagnosis is feasible with the use of the HIDA scan. A review of the literature, modes of diagnosis, and techniques for surgical repair are described.

Gastroschisis: are prenatal ultrasonographic findings useful for assessing the prognosis?

Objective. The objective of this study was to assess various prenatal patterns in correlation with survival and the occurrence of complications of antenatally recognized gastroschisis (G).Materials and methods. We retrospectively studied 34 cases of G. Mortality and morbidity in the postnatal period were assessed and correlated with the prenatal presence or absence of: (1) bowel and/or stomach dilatation, (2) thickening and/or hyperechogenicity of the intestinal wall, (3) meconium peritonitis (in the abdomen) before 20 weeks of gestation, (4) asymmetrical bowel dilatation, and (5) associated malformations. Morbidity took into account the length of hospitalization and the number of surgical procedures.Results. The overall survival rate was 94 %. Neither bowel nor stomach dilatation was significantly correlated with mortality. However, evidence of intestinal dilatation greater than 17 mm had a positive predictive value of 67 % for atresia, with a negative predictive value of 86 %. Thickening and/or hyperechogenicity of the bowel wall were not significantly associated with mortality. Meconium peritonitis before 20 weeks and asymmetrical bowel dilatation were not statistically significant because of the small sample size. Twelve patients (35.3 %) had postnatal complications, with a mean hospital stay of 127 days. Outcome was not modified by the mode of delivery. Associated extradigestive anomalies were present in 20.6 % of cases. Chromosomal anomalies were not seen.Conclusion. The prognosis of prenatally detected G is excellent despite the frequency of small bowel atresia (67 %) in the group with postnatal complications. Meconium peritonitis before 20 weeks of gestation and/ or asymmetrical bowel dilatation also appear to be indicators of atresia (2/4, 50 %) or high morbidity (3/4,75%).

Percutaneous Drainage of Abdominal Abscesses in Pediatric Crohn's Disease

OBJECTIVE Crohns disease is complicated by abscesses in 10-30% of patients during their lifetime. The goal of our study was to illustrate that, besides surgical treatment, percutaneous abscess drainage plays a major role in treating children with Crohns disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study included 14 pediatric patients (age range, 12-17 years; median age, 15 years) with proven Crohns disease. Percutaneous abscess drainage was performed for 15 abdominal or pelvic abscesses or for both abdominal and pelvic abscesses. The abscess was an initial manifestation of Crohns disease in four patients and complicated well-known disease in 10 patients. Abscesses occurred spontaneously (n = 11), after surgery (n = 3), or after infliximab treatment (n = 1). Their volume ranged from 8 to 442 mL (mean, 113 mL). Fistulas with the bowel were detected in eight cases. RESULTS Sixteen percutaneous abscess drainages were performed under sonographic or CT guidance (or both) using 6- or 8-French catheters. The procedure was performed with the patient under conscious sedation (n = 14) or anesthesia (n = 2). The duration of the drainage was 1-30 days (mean, 11 days). An enterocutaneous fistula, medically treated with success, was the only complication observed. Complete resolution of the collection was observed in eight abscesses and partial resolution in seven. Resection of the diseased bowel segment with primary anastomosis was possible in 12 patients. In two patients, percutaneous abscess drainage was not followed by surgery. CONCLUSION Percutaneous abscess drainage is a valuable procedure in pediatric patients with Crohns disease presenting with pelvic or abdominal abscesses (or both). It improves the general status of the patient and allows a less invasive and easier subsequent surgical procedure. Percutaneous abscess drainage should be performed before definitive treatment.

Segmental Approach to Imaging of Congenital Heart Disease

The segmental approach, which is widely used in the imaging work-up of congenital heart disease, consists of a three-step evaluation of the cardiac anatomy. In step 1, the visceroatrial situs is determined. Visceroatrial situs refers to the position of the atria in relation to the nearby anatomy (including the stomach, liver, spleen, and bronchi). Three different anatomic configurations may be observed: situs solitus (normal), situs inversus (inverted), or situs ambiguus (ambiguous). In step 2, the left- or rightward orientation of the ventricular loop is evaluated, and the positions of the ventricles are identified on the basis of their internal morphologic features. In step 3, the position of the great vessels is determined first, and any abnormalities are noted. Abnormalities in the origin of the great vessels, or conotruncal anomalies, are predominantly of three types: D-transposition (dextrotransposition), L-transposition (levotransposition), and D-malposition with double outlet right ventricle. Next, the relationships between the atria and ventricles and the ventricles and great vessels are determined at two levels: atrioventricular (concordant, discordant, ambiguous, double inlet, absence of right or left connection) and ventriculoarterial (concordant, discordant, double outlet). Last, a search is performed for any associated abnormalities of the cardiac chambers, septa, outflow tract, and great vessels. By executing these steps sequentially during image review, the radiologist can achieve a more accurate interpretation. Multiplanar reconstructions of cross-sectional image data obtained with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging are particularly useful for evaluating congenital heart disease.