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Radiological Imaging in Chest Diseases: Moving Away from Conventional Modes

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Abstract

A chest radiograph is the most common and the initial radiological investigation for evaluating a child presenting with respiratory complaints. However, performing and interpreting chest radiography optimally requires training and skill. With the relatively easy availability of computed tomography (CT) scanning and more recently multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), these investigations are often performed. Although these can be the cross-sectional imaging modalities of choice in certain situations where detailed and exact anatomical and etiological information is required, both these investigations are associated with increased radiation exposure which has more detrimental effects on children, especially when repeated follow-up imaging is necessary to assess the disease status. Ultrasonography (USG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have evolved as radiation-free radiological investigations for evaluating the pediatric chest pathologies over the last few years. In the present review article, the utility and the current status, as well as the limitations of USG and MRI for evaluation of pediatric chest pathologies, are discussed. Radiology has grown beyond having just the diagnostic capabilities in managing children with chest disorders in the last two decades. Image-guided therapeutic procedures (percutaneous and endovascular) are routinely performed in children with pathologies in the mediastinum and lungs. The commonly performed image-guided pediatric chest interventions, including biopsies, fine needle aspiration, drainage procedures and therapeutic endovascular procedures, are also discussed in the current review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Sector-12, Chandigarh, 160012, India

    Anmol Bhatia, Sreedhara B. Chaluvashetty, Akshay Kumar Saxena & Kushaljit Singh Sodhi

  2. Department of Radiodiagnosis and Interventional Radiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India

    Manisha Jana

  3. Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

    Kushaljit Singh Sodhi

Authors
  1. Anmol Bhatia
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  2. Manisha Jana
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  3. Sreedhara B. Chaluvashetty
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  4. Akshay Kumar Saxena
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  5. Kushaljit Singh Sodhi
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AB, MJ, SBC, AKS, KSS made substantial contributions to the conception of the work, revised it critically for important intellectual content, and approved the version to be published. KSS will act as guarantor for this manuscript.

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Correspondence to Kushaljit Singh Sodhi.

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Bhatia, A., Jana, M., Chaluvashetty, S.B. et al. Radiological Imaging in Chest Diseases: Moving Away from Conventional Modes. Indian J Pediatr 90, 798–805 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-023-04615-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-023-04615-8

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