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International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure
Published on: March 12, 2020
[Emergency pediatric thoracic radiology]
1Service de Radiologie Pédiatrique, CHU de Grenoble, BP 217, 38043 Grenoble Cedex 9. cdurand@chu-grenoble.fr
Insights
Pediatric thoracic emergencies require prompt diagnosis, with radiology playing a key role. Advanced imaging like computed tomography (CT) offers superior detail for lung and mediastinal conditions in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Thoracic Imaging
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Pediatric thoracic emergencies encompass diverse conditions, including trauma, infections, and congenital malformations.
- Rapid diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment planning in pediatric thoracic emergencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the essential role of radiology in diagnosing pediatric thoracic emergencies.
- To discuss the utility of various imaging modalities, emphasizing computed tomography (CT).
Main Methods:
- Initial assessment typically involves plain chest radiographs (inspiratory and expiratory views).
- Ultrasonography is the primary tool for evaluating pleural effusions.
- Computed tomography (CT) provides high-resolution imaging of the pediatric lungs and mediastinum.
Main Results:
- CT scans offer more comprehensive information than chest radiographs for pediatric thoracic conditions.
- The use of CT is increasingly indicated, especially for traumatic emergencies in children.
Conclusions:
- Radiology is indispensable for the timely diagnosis and management of pediatric thoracic emergencies.
- Computed tomography is a valuable advanced imaging technique for complex pediatric thoracic cases.
Abstract:
Pediatric thoracic emergencies are frequent and may be due to a large spectrum of lesions including traumatic and non traumatic pathologies, such as foreign bodies, mediastinal tumors, pulmonary infections, asthma, pneumothorax and delayed manifestations of congenital chest malformations. Emergencies require rapid diagnosis to make a treatment plan and in most cases, radiology plays an essential role. Plain chest radiographs remain the initial study with inspiratory films. In certain circumstances, the use of expiratory films is absolutely necessary. Ultrasonogragraphy is the primary modality for evaluation of pleural effusions. Computed tomography (CT), with volume acquisition and more rapid scanning, is a technique capable of imaging the lungs and mediastinum with excellent spatial resolution in the pediatric population. CT provides more information than chest radiographs. This explains the increasing indications of CT in the evaluation of pediatric thoracic emergencies, more particularly traumatic emergencies.
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