Petrosyan Lilit, Ayvazyan Sona
Final Pr. ID: Poster #: CR-008
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare malignancy in the pediatric population, comprising less than 1% of all pediatric malignancies. NPC typically occurs in older children and adolescents, with the highest incidence between ages 10-19, and there may be a slight male predominance.
A 14-year-old boy presented with a 2-week history of earache, hearing loss, headache, fever, neck pain, and palpable enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. Ultrasound revealed bilateral cervical lymphadenitis. Upon physical examination, the throat appeared hyperemic. Blood tests showed moderately elevated inflammatory markers. Initially, the patient was diagnosed with cervical lymphadenitis, right-sided otitis, and eustachitis. Antibiotic therapy was initiated, resulting in mild improvement; however, the primary symptoms persisted.
Serological testing for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was negative. A contrast-enhanced CT scan was performed due to the suspicion of an abscess. The CT revealed a hypervascular mass measuring 4.3x3.3cm in the nasopharynx, extending into the parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal spaces from the right side, significantly narrowing the nasopharyngeal airway. Cervical lymphadenopathy was also noted, particularly on the right side.
Given the imaging findings, a differential diagnosis was considered between lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A pediatric oncology consultation was obtained, and biopsies of both the retropharyngeal mass and cervical lymph nodes were performed. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in pediatric patients often presents with non-specific symptoms, contributing to diagnostic delays. Cervical lymphadenopathy is frequently the primary clinical finding, typically manifesting as painless enlarged neck lymph nodes. Other common symptoms include nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, and ear-related issues such as otitis media with effusion, hearing loss, or tinnitus due to eustachian tube dysfunction. In cases presenting with these symptoms, imaging with CT or MRI has an important role for early diagnosis.
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Authors: Petrosyan Lilit , Ayvazyan Sona
Keywords: Lymphadenopathy, Oncology, Paediatric Radiology
Bauman Parker, Mcdaniel Janice
Final Pr. ID: Poster #: CR-034
A 17-year-old female presents with the chief complaint of recurrent epigastric pain following the diagnosis of median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) confirmed via ultrasound duplex and computed tomography angiography. Subsequent laparoscopic median arcuate ligament release and resection of celiac nerve plexus were performed. The patient initially had complete resolution of pain; however, the same type of epigastric pain recurred with no sonographic evidence of recurrent MALS. This prompted the use of a celiac plexus block for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Using a one-sided posterior approach, the expected location of the celiac nerve plexus was localized using 3-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography-guided imaging. Using intermittent fluoroscopy with laser and iGuide graphic overlay the needle was incrementally advanced; to confirm the periaortic location of the needle tip a small amount of dilute contract was injected. Then, 80 mg (40mg/mL) of triamcinolone and 20 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride was administered into the periaortic space. The patient had a complete resolution of pain for two weeks. To obtain long-term pain relief, the process was repeated with an injection of 10 mL of 99% ethanol to effectively ablate the celiac nerve plexus, along with 20 mL of bupivacaine liposome. At 1 month and 3 months post-injection, the patient reports a significant reduction in epigastric pain (0-1 out of 10) following the procedure and reports being pleased she had the procedure. This case expands the use of computed tomography-guided celiac plexus ablation by showing effectiveness in reducing epigastric pain in a pediatric patient with a prior MALS diagnosis. Read More
Authors: Bauman Parker , Mcdaniel Janice
Keywords: Cone-Beam CT Guidance, Paediatric Radiology, Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome
Chotai Heena, Varma Nisha, Liyanage Neelika
Final Pr. ID: Poster #: EDU-059
Phalangeal micro geodic disease (PMD)/ transient phalangeal osteolysis is a rare self-limiting condition for which there are limited published case reports. There have been an increasing number of cases over the last thirteen years dating back to 2001. We present several paediatric cases diagnosed as PMD over the last ten years and their imaging features, often overlapping with inflammatory or infective arthropathy. PMD has a higher occurrence after cold exposures and thus seen in colder regions. It has also been described to favor the fingers over the toes.
This is a pictorial review that highlights the imaging findings of PMD to enable a smoother journey from presentation to diagnosis for both our Radiological and Clinical colleagues.
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Authors: Chotai Heena , Varma Nisha , Liyanage Neelika
Keywords: X-Ray, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Paediatric Radiology