Pediatric Abdominal CT Atlas for Diagnosis

Author: Shao Jianbo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: In the past decade, the application of CT in pediatric abdominal diseases has become increasingly widespread and refined, especially with the introduction of spiral CT, which has significantly improved the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric diseases and played a vital role in clinical practice. Given that there are currently no specialized monographs on pediatric abdominal CT diagnosis in China, we have compiled this book with the aim of sparking discussion and collaboration among peers to enhance the understanding of CT manifestations of pediatric abdominal diseases. As everyone knows, children are not miniature adults; there are numerous differences: (1) From an anatomical and physiological perspective, pediatric abdominal organs have unique characteristics, such as the larger, thicker, and more fragile liver in newborns and infants, with incomplete differentiation of hepatocytes and liver lobules, which only approaches adult levels by age 8; newborns have larger adrenal glands, accounting for one-third of kidney volume, whereas adults have only one-thirtieth. (2) From the perspective of disease types, clinical and imaging features, pediatric abdominal conditions are more commonly congenital anomalies, acute abdomen, and tumors, with distinct "age group" onset characteristics. Abdominal masses are often the primary signs of presentation; larger masses are typically cystic, solid, or mixed, and the younger the age, the more severe the condition, with a higher likelihood of malignant lesions and poorer prognosis. (3) From the perspective of imaging examination techniques, poor cooperation in children, combined with their predominant diaphragmatic breathing, easily produces motion artifacts, affecting image quality. Therefore, sedation, immobilization, and rapid spiral scanning are crucial and key to the success of the examination. It is worth noting that intravenous contrast administration for enhanced scanning is particularly important in children and indispensable, as multi-phase enhanced scans of solid organs can provide more comprehensive and accurate information. At the same time, it compensates for the lack of natural contrast due to the low abdominal fat in children. This book is divided into 10 chapters, with clinical features as the main thread, organized by topics such as abdominal emergencies, congenital anomalies and variations, abdominal solid masses, and cystic masses. It primarily uses (charts and photographs) to showcase various case types, aiming for comprehensiveness while also discussing the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of diseases. Additionally, to assist beginners in spiral CT, the book provides a thorough introduction to the basic structure, principles, spiral CT scanning techniques, and various post-processing methods of spiral CT machines, as well as a brief overview of CT interventional techniques. During the writing process of this book, we received strong support and assistance from colleagues at Beijing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Nanjing Children's Hospital, Anhui Children's Hospital, and Urumqi Children's Hospital in Xinjiang, who provided valuable cases. Professor Ye Binbin, the head of the pediatric radiology subgroup of the Chinese Medical Association, kindly wrote the preface for this book. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of them. Shao Jianbo Li Xin [Preface] Preface First and foremost, I sincerely congratulate the publication of the "Pediatric Abdominal CT Diagnosis Atlas." This book was meticulously compiled by young experts specializing in pediatric imaging from regions such as Beijing, Tianjin, and Wuhan, using their valuable clinical data and experience. Its publication plays a positive role in helping pediatric radiologists in China understand and master post-processing techniques for spiral CT scans, thereby improving the imaging diagnosis of pediatric abdominal diseases. CT, as a diagnostic tool, has rapidly spread and developed in China in recent years, especially with the advent of spiral CT, which has greatly enhanced our ability to detect and characterize abdominal diseases. However, spiral CT still needs improvement in new indications and the application of new technologies, requiring the clinical application of mature techniques, particularly in the field of pediatrics. The authors of this book have successfully achieved this. Starting from the basics and clinical applications of spiral CT, the book comprehensively introduces the scanning techniques and various post-processing methods of spiral CT in pediatric abdominal imaging diagnosis, illustrated with numerous cases. I am very pleased that the authors have adopted a chart-based approach, using images to explain diseases and analyze their CT manifestations, making the book both informative and visually engaging, which will undoubtedly help strengthen the imaging thinking skills of pediatric radiologists. Additionally, the book focuses on clinical features, closely linking imaging with clinical practice, further enhancing its practicality. Based on these principles, the target audience for this book is not limited to pediatric radiologists but also includes clinical doctors, especially beginners in pediatric abdominal imaging, who will find it an invaluable reference. Currently, there are few specialized monographs on pediatric imaging, and compared to adults, there is still a significant gap in the application of new technologies. This "Pediatric Abdominal CT Diagnosis Atlas," completed by experienced pediatric radiologists, not only adds a new work to the field of pediatric radiology literature but also reflects, to some extent, the progress of pediatric imaging diagnostic equipment and the improvement in the diagnostic capabilities of pediatric radiologists, giving us hope for the future of pediatric imaging medicine. I believe that in the near future, there will be more and even better works on pediatric imaging. Ye Binbin