Imaging in children presenting with acute neurological deficit: stroke

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Neuroradiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Neurological deficits in children are uncommon but critical, necessitating rapid and accurate diagnosis.
• Imaging plays a pivotal role in diagnosing pediatric neurological deficits and differentiating stroke from stroke mimics.
• A comprehensive pictorial review of pediatric neurological deficit imaging is lacking.

Observation:

• This series reviews the causes and imaging appearances of neurological deficits in childhood.
• The review categorizes deficits into stroke, infection, inflammation, metabolic disorders, cerebral neoplasms, and drug poisoning.
• Specific imaging findings for various pediatric stroke types, including arterial ischemic stroke, sino-venous stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, are discussed.

Findings:

• The study provides a systematic overview of imaging findings for diverse pediatric neurological conditions.
• It highlights key imaging features differentiating various causes of neurological deficits in children.
• The review emphasizes the importance of recognizing specific imaging patterns for accurate diagnosis and management.

Implications:

• This resource aids clinicians in diagnosing and managing pediatric neurological deficits using imaging.
• It serves as a valuable reference for radiologists and neurologists specializing in pediatric care.
• Improved diagnostic accuracy through imaging can lead to timely interventions and better patient outcomes in pediatric neurology.