Chest radiographic and CT evaluation of lung abnormalities in pediatric patients with laryngeal cleft

The purpose of this study was to (1) evaluate chest radiography (CR) and computed tomography (CT) findings in pediatric patients with laryngoscopically confirmed laryngeal cleft and (2) determine whether CT provided additional information over CR in evaluating lung abnormalities in pediatric patients with laryngeal cleft.

Two pediatric radiologists performed a retrospective review of CRs and CTs in pediatric patients with laryngoscopically confirmed laryngeal cleft from January, 2002 to January, 2010. Lungs were evaluated for pattern (airspace or interstitial), distribution (upper, middle, or lower lung zones), and extent (<25% or >25%) of abnormalities on CRs and CTs. In patients who had both CR and CT, CT findings were compared with concurrent CRs to determine whether CT provided additional information and resulted in alterations in patient management.

The final study cohort consisted of 67 pediatric patients (37 males and 30 females; mean age 3.0 years ± 3.5 years; range 25 days to 17.5 years) who had CR. Sixteen (24%) of these 67 patients had both CR and CT. Chest radiographs were abnormal in 47 patients (70%) which included consolidation (n = 35; 74%) and reticular opacities in 12 patients (26%). Lung parenchymal abnormalities were observed in the upper (n = 10; 21%), middle (n = 2; 4%), or lower (n = 35; 75%) lung zones on CR. The extent of lung parenchymal abnormalities was >25% in 30 patients (64%) and <25% in 17 patients (36%). Chest CT examinations were abnormal in all 16 patients (100%) who had available chest CT examinations, which included consolidation (n = 9; 56%) and reticular opacities (n = 7; 44%). Lung parenchymal abnormalities were observed in the upper (n = 2; 12.5%) or lower (n = 14; 87.5%) lung zones on CT. The extent of lung abnormalities was >25% in 10 patients (60%) and <25% in six patients (40%). CT provided major additional findings in 12 patients (75%) and minor findings in four patients (25%). Additionally, CT improved the evaluation of the distribution and extent of lung abnormalities in 11 patients (69%). The additional information provided by CT resulted in alteration of patient management in seven patients (43.8%).

Among pediatric patients with laryngeal cleft, CR and CT often show lung abnormalities such as consolidation and reticular opacities. CT frequently provides additional information, which may change patient management.