![]() ![]() Ultrasound is the primary modality used for imaging the fetal and neonatal brain. The use of skull radiographs is no longer considered routine in the evaluation of a palpable head lump, with most practitioners preferring the use of ultrasound and/or CT-MRI. The use of radiographs in the evaluation of craniosynostosis has largely been superseded by CT. However, skull radiographs continue to be included in skeletal surveys performed for suspected child abuse. Skull radiographs have a limited role in the evaluation of trauma or suspected skull fracture where, in general, if imaging is deemed clinically appropriate, CT is preferred. Their use has fallen with the increased utilization of cross-sectional imaging. Skull radiographs lack both sensitivity and specificity for most clinical indications and carry a not insignificant radiation dose. The use of catheter angiography for diagnostic purposes has certainly diminished with advances in noninvasive CT and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) techniques, but catheter angiography maintains a unique role in diagnostic imaging, and the number of types of catheter-based interventions in pediatric neuroradiology continues to increase. Positron emission tomography (PET) allows functional imaging based on glucose metabolism, and the growing use of PET-CT and PET-MRI allows the coregistration of metabolic and structural information, which is especially important in epilepsy imaging. Computed tomography (CT) continues to play an important role in the rapid evaluation of acute trauma and evaluation of the bony calvarium, but its use for other indications in pediatric patients has diminished as pediatric imagers, clinicians, and families strive to reduce exposure to ionizing radiation in children. Also, many advanced MRI techniques have important and unique applications in pediatric practice. ![]() In addition, MRI is of particular benefit in pediatric patients given a lack of ionizing radiation. Similar to adult neuroradiology, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now the most widely used modality to image the brain in older children. Ultrasound, a modality rarely used in adult neuroradiology, plays a central role in imaging the brain in fetal life and infancy. Imaging the brain in children differs from imaging adult patients in many respects. The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the skull, brain, spine, and spinal cord. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |