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Sirén A, Nyman M, Syvänen J, Mattila K, Hirvonen J. Utility of brain imaging in pediatric patients with a suspected accidental spinal injury but no brain injury-related symptoms. Childs Nerv Syst 2024; 40:1435-1441. [PMID: 38279986 PMCID: PMC11026267 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-024-06298-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Imaging is the gold standard in diagnosing traumatic brain injury, but unnecessary scans should be avoided, especially in children and adolescents. Clinical decision-making rules often help to distinguish the patients who need imaging, but if spinal trauma is suspected, concomitant brain imaging is often conducted. Whether the co-occurrence of brain and spine injuries is high enough to justify head imaging in patients without symptoms suggesting brain injury is unknown. OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess the diagnostic yield of brain MRI in pediatric patients with suspected or confirmed accidental spinal trauma but no potential brain injury symptoms. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical and imaging data of pediatric patients (under 18 years old) who have undergone concomitant MRI of the brain and spine because of acute spinal trauma in our emergency radiology department over a period of 8 years. We compared the brain MRI findings in patients with and without symptoms suggesting brain injury and contrasted spine and brain MRI findings. RESULTS Of 179 patients (mean age 11.7 years, range 0-17), 137 had symptoms or clinical findings suggesting brain injury, and 42 did not. None of the patients without potential brain injury symptoms had traumatic findings in brain MRI. This finding also applied to patients with high-energy trauma (n = 47) and was unrelated to spinal MRI findings. CONCLUSION Pediatric accidental trauma patients with suspected or confirmed spine trauma but no symptoms or clinical findings suggesting brain injury seem not to benefit from brain imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aapo Sirén
- Department of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, 20520, Turku, Finland.
| | - Mikko Nyman
- Department of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Johanna Syvänen
- Department of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Kimmo Mattila
- Department of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Jussi Hirvonen
- Department of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, 20520, Turku, Finland
- Medical Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Tampere University and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
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Sirén A, Nyman M, Syvänen J, Mattila K, Hirvonen J. Clinical outcome following magnetic resonance imaging as first-line imaging in low-impact pediatric spine trauma: a single-center retrospective observational study. Pediatr Radiol 2023; 53:2269-2280. [PMID: 37518674 PMCID: PMC10562339 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-023-05721-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric spinal trauma is rare, but the consequences of a missed injury can be devastating. Medical imaging is often needed in addition to physical examination. Conventional radiographs are widely recommended, but their negative predictive value is limited. Computed tomography (CT) is more sensitive but has a higher radiation dose. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has superior soft tissue contrast and lacks ionizing radiation, but it is more expensive and time-consuming. Thus, the debate regarding the most suitable imaging method is still ongoing. OBJECTIVE This study examined the ability of MRI to exclude injuries requiring surgical treatment as a first-line imaging method in low-impact pediatric spine trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and imaging data of children (under 18 years old) who had suspected spinal trauma and were scanned using MRI in our emergency radiology department over a period of 8 years. We assessed the ability of MRI to detect unstable injuries by searching for later occurrences of primarily missed injuries requiring surgery. RESULTS Of 396 patients (median age 12 years, range 0-17), 114 (29%) had MRI findings suggesting an acute injury. Bony injuries were detected in 78 patients (20%) and ligamentous or other soft tissue injuries in 82 patients (21%). In the subgroup of 376 patients (median age 12 years, range 0-17) with at least 6 months of clinical follow-up, no missed injuries demanding surgical intervention or immobilization occurred after spinal MRI as first-line imaging. No adverse events related to MRI or anesthesia occurred. CONCLUSION MRI can detect injuries requiring surgical treatment as a first-line imaging method in suspected low-impact pediatric spinal trauma and is safe to use in this selected population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aapo Sirén
- Department of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, 20520, Turku, Finland.
| | - Mikko Nyman
- Department of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Johanna Syvänen
- Department of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Kimmo Mattila
- Department of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Jussi Hirvonen
- Department of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, 20520, Turku, Finland
- Medical Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Tampere University and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
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Jussila MP, Nissilä J, Vakkuri M, Olsén P, Niinimäki J, Leinonen V, Serlo W, Salokorpi N, Suo-Palosaari M. Preoperative measurements on MRI in Chiari 1 patients fail to predict outcome after decompressive surgery. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2021; 163:2005-2014. [PMID: 33977335 PMCID: PMC8195958 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-021-04842-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Background The purpose of our study was to research the parameters of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that would predict the outcome of surgery in patients with Chiari 1 malformation (CM1) and to evaluate changes in MRI parameters after surgery. Methods Fifty-one patients (19 children, 13 adolescents, and 19 adults) operated on due to CM1 in Oulu University Hospital between 2004 and 2018 were evaluated. Seventeen parameters were measured from the preoperative MRI and 11 from the postoperative MRI. The correlations between the MRI parameters and the clinical variables before and after surgery were analyzed. Results The majority (88.2%) of the patients had favorable surgical outcomes. Postoperatively, subjective symptoms improved in 88.6% of the patients and syringomyelia in 81.8%. The location of the cerebellar tonsils, when measured in relation to the C2 synchondrosis or the end plate, postoperatively moved cranially in 51.0% (n = 26), did not change in 27.4% (n = 14), and moved caudally in 21.6% (n = 11) of the patients. However, neither the location of the tonsils nor any other parameters measured from pre- or postoperative MRI correlated with the patients’ symptoms or surgical outcomes. Conclusions No specific parameters on preoperative MRI evaluation were predictive of the outcome of surgery, emphasizing clinical examination in surgical decision-making. Furthermore, the postoperative MRI parameters did not correlate with the surgical outcomes. Thus, routine postoperative imaging is suggested only for patients with preoperatively diagnosed syringomyelia or worsening of symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miro-Pekka Jussila
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu and Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics, and Technology, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Kajaanintie 50, OYS, P.O. Box 50, 90029, Oulu, Finland
| | - Juho Nissilä
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu and Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics, and Technology, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Kajaanintie 50, OYS, P.O. Box 50, 90029, Oulu, Finland
| | - Minna Vakkuri
- Department of Neurosurgery, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu and Research Unit of Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Research Center Oulu (MRC Oulu), Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Päivi Olsén
- Department of Children and Adolescents, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu and PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu and Medical Research Center Oulu (MRC Oulu), Oulu, Finland
| | - Jaakko Niinimäki
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu and Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics, and Technology, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Kajaanintie 50, OYS, P.O. Box 50, 90029, Oulu, Finland
| | - Ville Leinonen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio and Institute of Clinical Medicine-Neurosurgery, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Willy Serlo
- Department of Children and Adolescents, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu and PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu and Medical Research Center Oulu (MRC Oulu), Oulu, Finland
| | - Niina Salokorpi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu and Research Unit of Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Research Center Oulu (MRC Oulu), Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Maria Suo-Palosaari
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu and Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics, and Technology, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Kajaanintie 50, OYS, P.O. Box 50, 90029, Oulu, Finland.
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Karhi S, Tähtinen O, Aherto J, Matikka H, Manninen H, Nerg O, Taina M, Jäkälä P, Vanninen R. Effect of different thresholds for CT perfusion volumetric analysis on estimated ischemic core and penumbral volumes. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249772. [PMID: 33882098 PMCID: PMC8059822 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose This single-center study compared three threshold settings for automated analysis of the ischemic core (IC) and penumbral volumes using computed tomographic perfusion, and their accuracy for predicting final infarct volume (FIV) in patients with anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods Fifty-two consecutive AIS patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (November 2015–March 2018) were included. Perfusion images were retrospectively analyzed using a single CT Neuro perfusion application (syngo.via 4.1, Siemens Healthcare GmbH). Three threshold values (S1–S3) were derived from another commercial package (RAPID; iSchema View) (S1), up-to-date syngo.via default values (S2), and adapted values for syngo.via from a reference study (S3). The results were compared with FIV determined by non-contrast CT. Results The median IC volume (mL) was 24.6 (interquartile range: 13.7–58.1) with S1 and 30.1 (20.1–53.1) with S2/S3. After removing the contralateral hemisphere from the analysis, the median IC volume decreased by 1.33(0–3.14) with S1 versus 9.13 (6.24–14.82) with S2/S3. The median penumbral volume (mL) was 74.52 (49.64–131.91), 77.86 (46.56–99.23), and 173.23 (125.86–200.64) for S1, S2, and S3, respectively. Limiting analysis to the affected hemisphere, the penumbral volume decreased by 1.6 (0.13–9.02), 19.29 (12.59–26.52), and 58.33 mL (45.53–74.84) for S1, S2, and S3, respectively. The correlation between IC and FIV was highest in patients with successful recanalization (n = 34, r = 0.784 for S1; r = 0.797 for S2/S3). Conclusion Optimizing thresholds significantly improves the accuracy of estimated IC and penumbral volumes. Current recommended values produce diversified results. International guidelines based on larger multicenter studies should be established to support the standardization of volumetric analysis in clinical decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simo Karhi
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- Unit of Radiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- * E-mail:
| | - Olli Tähtinen
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- Unit of Radiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Joona Aherto
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- Unit of Radiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Hanna Matikka
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Hannu Manninen
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- Unit of Radiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ossi Nerg
- Unit of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Neuro Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mikko Taina
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- Unit of Radiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Pekka Jäkälä
- Unit of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Neuro Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ritva Vanninen
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- Unit of Radiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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