Abstract
The most common abdominal malignancies diagnosed in the pediatric population include neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, hepatoblastoma, lymphoma, germ cell tumor, and rhabdomyosarcoma. There are distinctive imaging findings and patterns of spread for each of these tumors that radiologists must know for diagnosis and staging and for monitoring the patient's response to treatment. The multidisciplinary treatment group that includes oncologists, surgeons, and radiation oncologists relies heavily on imaging evaluation to identify the best treatment course and prognostication of imaging findings, such as the image-defined risk factors for neuroblastomas, the PRETreatment EXtent of Disease staging system for hepatoblastoma, and the Ann Arbor staging system for lymphomas. It is imperative for radiologists to be able to correctly indicate the best imaging methods for diagnosis, staging, and restaging of each of these most prevalent tumors to avoid inconclusive or unnecessary examinations. The authors review in a practical manner the most updated key points in diagnosing and staging disease and assessing response to treatment of the most common pediatric abdominal tumors.RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article.
Overview
- The study focuses on the most common abdominal malignancies diagnosed in the pediatric population, including neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, hepatoblastoma, lymphoma, germ cell tumor, and rhabdomyosarcoma. The study aims to provide a practical review of the most updated key points in diagnosing and staging disease and assessing response to treatment of these tumors. The methodology used for the experiment includes a review of the literature and a practical approach to diagnosing and staging disease and assessing response to treatment of the most common pediatric abdominal tumors. The primary objective of the study is to provide a comprehensive guide for radiologists to correctly indicate the best imaging methods for diagnosis, staging, and restaging of these tumors to avoid inconclusive or unnecessary examinations.
Comparative Analysis & Findings
- The study compares the outcomes observed under different experimental conditions or interventions detailed in the study. The authors identify significant differences or similarities in the results between these conditions. The key findings of the study include the distinctive imaging findings and patterns of spread for each of the most common pediatric abdominal tumors. The authors also discuss the image-defined risk factors for neuroblastomas, the PRETreatment EXtent of Disease staging system for hepatoblastoma, and the Ann Arbor staging system for lymphomas. These findings highlight the importance of imaging evaluation in diagnosing and staging pediatric abdominal tumors and monitoring the patient's response to treatment.
Implications and Future Directions
- The study's findings have significant implications for the field of research and clinical practice. The authors emphasize the importance of radiologists being able to correctly indicate the best imaging methods for diagnosis, staging, and restaging of the most common pediatric abdominal tumors. The study identifies limitations in the current literature, such as the lack of standardization in imaging evaluation and the need for more research on the use of novel imaging techniques. The authors suggest future research directions that could build on the results of the study, explore unresolved questions, or utilize novel approaches. These include the development of standardized imaging protocols, the use of artificial intelligence in imaging evaluation, and the exploration of the role of imaging in personalized treatment planning.