Abdominal complications of chemotherapy in pediatric malignancies: imaging findings.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the imaging findings of abdominal complications caused by chemotherapy in pediatric cancer patients.


METHODS
Radiology studies of 243 patients treated in our Children Cancer Center were reviewed, 164 of whom had abdominal studies. Medical records of 54 patients with abnormal imaging findings were studied.


RESULTS
Ultrasound and/or CT findings showed the following complications: (1) gallbladder sludge/crystals (n=13), gallstones (n=8), cholecystitis (n=3); (2) liver steatosis (n=23), siderosis (n=1), veno-occlusive disease (n=2); (3) pancreatitis (n=7); (4) typhlitis (n=12), esophagitis (n=2).


CONCLUSIONS
Awareness of these complications is essential for appropriate management, decreasing their mortality and morbidity.
Khoury
Nabil J
NJ
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. nk01@aub.edu.lb
Kanj
Vladimir
V
Abboud
Miguel
M
Muwakkit
Samar
S
Birjawi
Ghina A
GA
Haddad
Maurice C
MC
D000005:Abdomen / Q000473:pathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D055815:Young Adult
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents