Neuroimaging clinics of North America
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In this article, we will discuss the essential MR imaging protocol required for the assessment of ocular abnormalities including malignancies. Then we will describe relevant anatomy, ocular embryogenesis, and genetics to establish a profound understanding of pathophysiology of the congenital ocular malformations. Finally, we will discuss pediatric ocular malignancies, benign mimics, and the most common congenital ocular malformations with case examples and illustrations and give tips on how to distinguish these entities on neuroimaging.
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Neck masses are frequent in the pediatric population and are usually divided into congenital, inflammatory, and neoplastic. Many of these lesions are cystic and are often benign. Solid masses and vascular lesions are relatively less common, and the imaging appearances can be similar. This article reviews the clinical presentation and imaging patterns of pediatric solid and vascular neck masses.
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Neck infections are common in children, though the clinical presentation is often vague and nonspecific. Therefore, imaging plays a key role in identifying the site and extent of infections, evaluating for potentially drainable collections, and assessing for airway and vascular complications. This review focuses on imaging features associated with common and characteristic neck infections in children to include tonsillar, retropharyngeal, and otomastoid infections; suppurative adenopathy; superimposed inflammation or infection of congenital cystic lesions; and Lemierre syndrome.
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Pediatric hearing loss is common with significant consequences in terms of language, communication, social and emotional development, and academic advancement. Radiological imaging provides useful information regarding hearing loss etiology, prognosis, therapeutic options, and potential surgical pitfalls. This review provides an overview of temporal bone imaging protocols, an outline of the classification of inner ear anomalies associated with sensorineural hearing loss and illustrates some of the more frequently encountered and/or important causes of non-syndromic hearing loss.
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Congenital cystic masses are commonly encountered when imaging a patient presenting with a neck mass. Congenital cysts are present at birth; however, these cysts may not present until later in life with some growing slowly and others rapidly increasing in size due to hemorrhage of infection. A neonatal presentation is rare but when present may allow a narrower differential diagnosis. Imaging plays a significant role in defining a lesion as cystic, assessing location, and directing the next step in evaluation and or intervention.