Normal appearance and size of the diaphragmatic crura in children: CT evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of the study were to document the normal CT appearance and size of the crura of the diaphragm in children.


METHODS
The CT scans of 80 children (0-15 years) were reviewed. The children were divided into eight age groups. The maximal transverse diameters of the right and left crura were measured. They were normalized by comparison with the transverse and anterior-posterior diameters of the 12th thoracic vertebra (T12) and the transverse abdominal diameter at T12. The crura were also evaluated as to whether their contour was smooth or nodular.


RESULTS
The diaphragmatic crura of smaller children appear large, relative to body size and the diameters of the T12 vertebral body, compared with those in older children. Crural width does not increase significantly with age. Additionally, the crura were found to have a greater tendency to be nodular in appearance in children under the age of 5 years than in older children.


CONCLUSIONS
Diaphragmatic crura are more nodular and larger relative to body size in younger children.
Brengle
M
M
Department of Radiology, Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University Medical Center, 702 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5200, USA.
Cohen
M D
MD
Katz
B
B
D000005:Abdomen / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000293:Adolescent; D000375:Aging; D000886:Anthropometry; D001824:Body Constitution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed