Abstract
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a non-invasive technique which avoids the hazards of x-irradiation and the need for intravenous contrast material. It seems an ideal imaging tool for the pediatric population. We studied 60 patients with central nervous system disease, median 8 years (range 6 days to 21 years) on a proton 0.125 Telsa NMR machine. Images were obtained in the transverse, horizontal and coronal planes by the partial saturation technique (T1 and T2 weighed images done in selected cases). NMR results were compared to concurrent enhanced computed tomographic (eCT) studies and other radiographic techniques in all cases. Patients included those with primary brain neoplasms (45), spinal cord tumors (4), intracerebral hemorrhage (3), Chiari malformation (2), demyelinating disease (2), and congenital brain anomalies (4). We conclude that: 1) NMR is a sensitive means of visualizing structural CNS disease; 2) NMR often supplies anatomic information not demonstrable by CT or other radiograpbic techniques, especially in the posterior fossa and upper cervical cord; 3) NMR is well tolerated by pediatric patients; and 4) NMR, although demonstrating abnormality as frequently as eCT, often is less specific for the type of pathology present. NMR, because of its safety and sensitivity, may soon be the imaging procedure of choice in the initial evaluation of children with CNS disease (especially in the posterior fossa and upper cervical cord), but will not completely replace the need for other imaging techniques.
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Packer, R., Zimmerman, R. & Bilanuik, L. NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN INTRACRANIAL DISEASE OF CHILDHOOD. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 381 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01727
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01727