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Background Although there has been a study aimed at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of pneumonia in children at a low magnetic field (0.2T), there is no study which assessed the efficacy of MRI, particularly with fast imaging sequences at 1.5T, for evaluating pneumonia in children. Purpose To investigate the efficacy of chest MRI with fast imaging sequences at 1.5T for evaluating pneumonia in children by comparing MRI findings with those of chest radiographs. Material and Methods This was an Institutional Review Board-approved, HIPPA-compliant prospective study of 40 consecutive pediatric patients (24 boys, 16 girls; mean age 7.3 years ± 6.6 years) with pneumonia, who underwent PA and lateral chest radiographs followed by MRI within 24 h. All MRI studies were obtained in axial and coronal planes with two different fast imaging sequences: T1-weighted FFE (Fast Field Echo) (TR/TE: 83/4.6) and T2-weigthed B-FFE M2D (Balanced Fast Field Echo Multiple 2D Dimensional) (TR/TE: 3.2/1.6). Two experienced pediatric radiologists reviewed each chest radiograph and MRI for the presence of consolidation, necrosis/abscess, bronchiectasis, and pleural effusion. Chest radiograph and MRI findings were compared with Kappa statistics. Results All consolidation, lung necrosis/abscess, bronchiectasis, and pleural effusion detected with chest radiographs were also detected with MRI. There was statistically substantial agreement between chest radiographs and MRI in detecting consolidation (k = 0.78) and bronchiectasis (k = 0.72) in children with pneumonia. The agreement between chest radiographs and MRI was moderate for detecting necrosis/abscess (k = 0.49) and fair for detecting pleural effusion (k = 0.30). Conclusion MRI with fast imaging sequences is comparable to chest radiographs for evaluating underlying pulmonary consolidation, bronchiectasis, necrosis/abscess, and pleural effusion often associated with pneumonia in children.

We aimed to define the diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of intracranial cystic lesions and to investigate possible special features for the differential diagnosis. One hundred and twenty patients with intracranial cystic lesions were included in the study. There were 29 arachnoid cysts, eight epidermoid cysts, 34 primary tumors, 18 abscesses, 29 metastases and two hydatid cysts. Echo-planar diffusion-weighted MR imaging was obtained in addition to conventional cranial MR scans. The morphologic features of the cystic portion and the wall of the cyst and signal intensities on diffusion-weighted images were evaluated. All abscesses and epidermoid cysts were hyperintense on diffusion-weighted images. Arachnoid cysts, hydatid cysts, primary tumors, and metastases were hypointense except five cystic tumors. These five primary or metastatic necrotic tumors showed high signal intensity on diffusion-weighted images due to hemorrhage or superinfection. The walls of the cystic tumors were usually hyperintense on diffusion-weighted images in contrast to the wall of the abscesses, which were iso-hypointense. This was a statistically significant finding for the differentiation between tumors and abscesses (P

Purpose: To describe color Doppler ultrasonography findings of bladder tumors and to investigate the correlation between these findings with stage and histopathological grade. Material and Methods: Twenty‐four patients with bladder tumors were assessed with color Doppler ultrasonography for tumor size, presence of vascularity, vascular pattern, and spectral properties. All patients underwent surgery. Stage and histopathological grades of tumors were determined and compared with color Doppler ultrasonography findings. Results: Presence of vascularity was related to tumor size ( P0.05). Conclusion: The evaluation of vascularity in bladder tumors by color Doppler ultrasonography is not helpful in predicting tumor stage and histopathological grade before surgery.