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Imaging in children presenting with acute neurological deficit: paediatric stroke mimics
Darshana D Rasalkar1, Winnie C W Chu
1Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Insights
Pediatric stroke mimics present with neurological deficits but lack cerebrovascular disease. Common causes include infections, inflammation, and neoplasms, with distinct imaging findings discussed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neurology
- Neuroradiology
- Differential diagnosis
Background:
- Stroke mimics in children are conditions presenting with neurological deficits mimicking stroke but without cerebrovascular events.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial as treatments differ significantly from those for actual strokes.
Observation:
- This review focuses on non-cerebrovascular causes of pediatric neurological deficits.
- Key categories discussed include infections, inflammatory conditions, demyelinating diseases, neoplasms, drug-induced effects, phacomatosis, and miscellaneous disorders.
Findings:
- Each category of stroke mimic has characteristic neuroimaging findings.
- Understanding these imaging patterns aids in differentiating mimics from true ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes.
Implications:
- Distinguishing stroke mimics from actual strokes in children is vital for appropriate management and treatment.
- This knowledge assists pediatricians and radiologists in formulating accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.
Abstract:
Stroke mimics refer to conditions manifesting with neurologic deficits without underlying cerebrovascular diseases. Major causes in the paediatric population under this category include infections, inflammation, demyelination, neoplasm, drug related, phacomatosis, and miscellaneous disorders. These conditions and their respective imaging findings are briefly discussed here.
