Pediatric primary liver tumors, including hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), are staged according to the PRETEXT system (PRE-Treatment EXTent of Tumor). Although primary hepatic tumors are rare in the pediatric population, hepatoblastoma is increasing in prevalence due to its association with prematurity and the prolonged survival of this patient population. Therefore, it is prudent for radiologists to refamiliarize themselves with these malignancies and how to accurately describe their imaging appearance using descriptors defined by PRETEXT. Various imaging modalities offer a role in the evaluation of primary hepatic tumors, including ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance (MR), and computed tomography (CT). Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is not currently a primary modality but has potential to evaluate vascular involvement and satellite lesions. PRETEXT is the standard to describe a tumor’s imaging features on CT or MR; MR is preferred due to improved soft tissue detail, and emphasis is placed on use of a hepatobiliary contrast agent. For PRETEXT staging, the liver is divided into four sections: right posterior, right anterior, left medial, and left lateral. Depending on the number of continuous, uninvolved sections, patients are assigned a group ranging from I-IV. Tumors are often large at presentation, and determination of anatomic boundaries can be challenging for the radiologist. Other special circumstances discussed include variant hepatic venous anatomy and pedunculated tumors. PRETEXT also considers “annotation factors”, such as vascular involvement, tumor rupture, and metastases, among others. In combination with clinical factors, such as the patient's age and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level, PRETEXT is also used to stratify patient risk and ultimately influence patient management. If the tumor is not resectable upfront, percutaneous biopsy is recommended to confirm the diagnosis. First line therapy includes surgical resection and systemic chemotherapy. In cases not amenable to this treatment, palliative options offered by pediatric interventional radiology include transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and percutaneous ablation. The goal of this educational exhibit is to provide a case-based illustration of PRETEXT staging and annotations factors for the pediatric radiologist. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2023 Annual Meeting & Postgraduate Course , 2023

Authors: Lee Samantha, Cajigas-loyola Stephanie, Acord Michael

Keywords: PRETEXT, Primary Hepatic Tumor, Staging

Evaluate patient demographics, current imaging patterns, extent of disease, and tumor types in pediatric patients with mediastinal masses to assist with developing an imaging algorithm to streamline patient care. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2020 Annual Meeting & Postgraduate Course , 2020

Authors: Maier Pia, Alam Aisha, Acord Michael, Cahill Anne Marie, Vatsky Seth

Keywords: Mediastinal Mass, Airway

Evaluate patient demographics, current imaging patterns, extent of disease, and tumor types in pediatric patients with mediastinal masses to assist with developing an imaging algorithm to streamline patient care. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2020 Annual Meeting & Postgraduate Course , 2020

Authors: Maier Pia, Alam Aisha, Acord Michael, Cahill Anne Marie, Vatsky Seth

Keywords: Mediastinal Mass, Airway

Risk stratification of the most common pediatric primary liver malignancies, hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, is dependent on imaging criteria that ultimately inform work-up and clinical management. The Pediatric Liver Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) Working Group recommends use of the PRETEXT (PRE-Treatment EXTent of tumor) staging system, which is utilized in the ongoing Pediatric International Tumor Trial (1). PRETEXT staging is first performed by dividing the liver into four sections. Based on how many contiguous sections are free of tumor, a group is assigned from I-IV. Second, annotations factors are assessed depending on the presence of vessel involvement, rupture, multifocality, extrahepatic spread, or metastatic disease, which portend higher risk (2). Understanding and applying the PRETEXT system should be a core competency for all current and aspiring pediatric radiologists. The PRETEXT system has some barriers to learning, namely in discerning the anatomical liver sections from the functional ‘Couinaud’ segments and accurately determining vessel involvement. We saw the opportunity to combine our diagnostic pediatric radiologic experience/expertise with the application of 3D printing technology. Through the segmentation of post-contrast T1 fat-saturated MRI images, we were able to build 3D models of different PRETEXT stage disease. The aim of this educational exhibit is to provide pediatric radiologists with an alternative learning tool to appreciate the PRETEXT system and its application. It will combine the proficiency of a 3D pediatric additive manufacturing lab and diagnostic pediatric radiologists with expertise in oncologic imaging and fellowship teaching. Models and their representative 3D renderings will demonstrate the differences between PRETEXT stages, with and without the presence of various annotation factors. 1. Schooler GR, Squires JH, Alazraki A, Chavhan GB, Chernyak V, Davis JT, et al. Pediatric Hepatoblastoma, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, and Other Hepatic Neoplasms: Consensus Imaging Recommendations from American College of Radiology Pediatric Liver Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) Working Group. Radiology. 2020 Sep;296(3):493–7. 2. Towbin AJ, Meyers RL, Woodley H, Miyazaki O, Weldon CB, Morland B, et al. 2017 PRETEXT: radiologic staging system for primary hepatic malignancies of childhood revised for the Paediatric Hepatic International Tumour Trial (PHITT). Pediatr Radiol. 2018 Apr;48(4):536–54. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2023 Annual Meeting & Postgraduate Course , 2023

Authors: Schoeman Sean, Venkatakrishna Shyam Sunder, Silvestro Elizabeth, Cajigas-loyola Stephanie, Acord Michael

Keywords: PRETEXT Staging, 3D Printing, MRI

Lymphoma is the most common mediastinal mass in children. Obtaining tissue for diagnosis can be challenging due to reported low diagnostic yield and risk of cardiorespiratory collapse, especially in the setting of anesthesia. We report our experience with biopsy of mediastinal masses, report the diagnostic rate for lymphoma and biopsy/anesthetic complications related to the procedure. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2020 Annual Meeting & Postgraduate Course , 2020

Authors: Alam Aisha, Maier Pia, Smitthimedhin Anilawan, Acord Michael, Cahill Anne Marie, Vatsky Seth

Keywords: Image guided biopsy, Mediastinal Mass, Lymphoma

Neonates with prolonged hospitalization often require PICCs. The concern for PICC-related complications, including venous thrombosis, infection, catheter migration and breakage, often prompts Doppler ultrasound (US) evaluation. However, peri-catheter thrombus in a neonate can be challenging to evaluate, as the accessed peripheral veins in neonates are small, some less than 1mm in luminal diameter. Small-bore catheters may occupy the entirety of the vessel lumen, which can produce absence of peri-catheter flow, which is confounding for thrombus. This distinction has implications for hematologic management. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2020 Annual Meeting & Postgraduate Course , 2020

Authors: Durand Rachelle, Acord Michael, Srinivasan Abhay, Krishnamurthy Ganesh, Saade-lemus Sandra, Cahill Anne Marie, Kaplan Summer

Keywords: PICC, Thrombosis, Neonate

Low dose C-arm Computed Tomography (CT), is a technology that uses flat panel detectors to acquire real-time 3D images during an interventional radiology (IR) procedure to assist with anatomic localization and procedural mapping. This study describes our low dose protocol and applications of its use at a pediatric institution. Read More

Meeting name: IPR 2016 Conjoint Meeting & Exhibition , 2016

Authors: Acord Michael, Shellikeri Sphoorti, Vatsky Seth, Nazario Maricarmen, Srinivasan Abhay, Krishnamurthy Ganesh, Keller Marc, Cahill Anne Marie

Keywords: dose reduction, 3D fluoroscopy, guidance

Teaching fluoroscopy skills remains an ongoing challenge in pediatric radiology education. Radiologists must be competent to perform a wide range of fluoroscopy procedures and are often required to teach these clinical skills to their peers, junior staff, and students. Teaching procedural skills through frameworks, observation, and feedback, with opportunities for repeated practice, assists in the learner’s acquisition and retention of skills. Fluoroscopy presents patient safety and ethical challenges as “practicing” this skill on patients requires ionizing radiation exposure and often invasive procedures. Through this educational exhibit, we describe a proposed program to improve skill performance, determine competency, and provide feedback. To improve voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) training two patient models were created for bladder catheterization with different grades of vesicoureteral reflux using 3D printing and silicon rubber. Additional educational materials, including videos and graphical representations, were created to better help the learner understand the steps of the VCUG protocol. A three-component curriculum included 1) Knowledge (indications, contraindications, complications); 2) Communication (with patient and family, with fluoroscopy team); and 3) Performance of the skill (preparation before commencing, steps and dexterity, immediate aftercare of the patient). We modeled our evaluation of the learner from Peyton’s four-step approach to skills teaching (Demonstration, Deconstruction, Formulation, and Performance) to teach the physical performance of the fluoroscopy procedure. Feedback was provided to the learners using the Pendleton Feedback Model. Finally, competency was assessed using the Framework for clinical assessment developed by Miller. This educational exhibit aims to provide radiologists in training with an alternative learning curriculum to better understand and evaluate the steps of the VCUG and its performance on patients in a simulated setting before being performed on patients. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2024 Annual Meeting & Postgraduate Course , 2024

Authors: Veselis Clinton, Venkatakrishna Shyam Sunder, Silvestro Elizabeth, Bennett Brittany, Srinivasan Abhay, Acord Michael, Sze Raymond, Reid Janet, Anupindi Sudha

Keywords: Voiding cystourethrogram, VCUG, Fluoroscopy