Imaging findings of paediatric oncology patients presenting with acute neurological symptoms.
Paediatric oncology patients are prone to central nervous system (CNS) complications due to multiple factors including disorders of the blood cell counts (which include neutropenia, thrombocytopenia or hyperleukocytosis), immunosuppression, neurotoxicity of the treatment, CNS dysfunction due to failure of other organ systems, disease progression of the primary malignancy or metastases. Imaging plays an important role in the management of paediatric oncology patients presenting with acute neurological symptoms. This pictorial review is from our institutional experience on imaging children who are under the care of the Child Cancer Centre. The review consists of a spectrum of neurological complications in paediatric oncology patients. The complications can be classified as (1) cerebrovascular complications, (2) treatment-elated complications, (3) opportunistic infections and (4) tumoural involvement of the CNS. Computed tomography (CT) is the initial choice of investigation, which is easily available and helps to exclude major intracranial abnormality such as haemorrhage. If the CT is negative, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be performed, which is more sensitive for detection of CNS lesions.
Chu
W C W
WC
Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Organ Imaging, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China. winnie@med.cuhk.edu.hk
Lee
V
V
Howard
R G
RG
Roebuck
D J
DJ
Chik
K W
KW
Li
C K
CK
D000293:Adolescent; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*