Related Experiment Videos
Pediatric brain MRI part 1: basic techniques
Mai-Lan Ho1, Norbert G Campeau2, Thang D Ngo3
1Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA. ho.mai-lan@mayo.edu.
Insights
Pediatric neuroimaging requires tailored magnetic resonance (MR) protocols due to developmental differences in children's brains. This review covers essential protocol development and anatomical imaging for pediatric neuroimaging.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Pediatric Radiology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Standard adult magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques are insufficient for pediatric neuroimaging.
- Children's developing brains exhibit unique characteristics, including size, myelination, and sulcation, necessitating specialized approaches.
- Pediatric neuroimaging requires careful consideration of scan timing, sequence order, sedation, anesthesia, and contrast agent administration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline fundamental magnetic resonance (MR) protocol development for pediatric neuroimaging.
- To detail anatomical characterization techniques specific to the pediatric brain and head/neck region.
- To provide optimized imaging examples for evaluating various pediatric neuroanatomical structures.
Main Methods:
- Focus on basic protocol development and anatomical characterization in pediatric neuroimaging.
- Illustrate optimized magnetic resonance (MR) imaging examples for specific pediatric neuroanatomical regions.
- Discuss critical factors including scan timing, sequence order, sedation, and contrast administration.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of tailored magnetic resonance (MR) protocols optimized for pediatric neuroimaging.
- Detailed anatomical characterization of supratentorial and infratentorial brain structures, midline structures, head and neck, and intracranial vasculature.
- Provision of imaging examples showcasing effective evaluation of pediatric neuroanatomy.
Conclusions:
- Optimized magnetic resonance (MR) protocols are crucial for accurate pediatric neuroimaging.
- Tailored approaches considering developmental differences enhance diagnostic capabilities in pediatric neuroimaging.
- This review provides a foundational guide for developing effective pediatric neuroimaging protocols.
Abstract:
Pediatric neuroimaging is a complex and specialized field that uses magnetic resonance (MR) imaging as the workhorse for diagnosis. Standard MR techniques used in adult neuroimaging are suboptimal for imaging in pediatrics because there are significant differences in the child's developing brain. These differences include size, myelination and sulcation. MR protocols need to be tailored to the specific indication and reviewed by the supervising radiologist in real time, and the specialized needs of this population require careful consideration of issues such as scan timing, sequence order, sedation, anesthesia and gadolinium administration. In part 1 of this review, we focus on basic protocol development and anatomical characterization. We provide multiple imaging examples optimized for evaluation of supratentorial and infratentorial brain, midline structures, head and neck, and intracranial vasculature.