Tumors and Beyond: an Array of Abdominal Masses in Children

Aims and Objectives: 1. To provide insight into the different pediatric abdominal masses by Computed Tomography. 2. To characterize the various pediatric abdominal masses based on their imaging features. Materials & Methods: This observational study was conducted in Department of Radio-diagnosis at S.P. Medical College & A.G. of Hospitals, Bikaner, Rajasthan. Data for the study was collected from patients of pediatric age group attending/ referred to the department of Radio-Diagnosis. An ultrasonographic examination was done in all cases using GE LOGIQ P5 USG machine. Doppler imaging was done in required cases. Non-contrast and contrast enhanced CT scan of the patients was carried out, using PHILIPS BRILLIANCE MDCT 64 SLICE CT SCAN. Scanning protocol was modified according to the age, weight of the child and the clinical situation. Imaging findings were correlated with the clinical course of disease and/or surgical/ cytological findings. The results were subjected to statistical analysis and expressed as percentages. Conclusion: The recent developments have broadened the usefulness of Computed tomography in the evaluation of pediatric abdominal masses. The advantages of single breath hold acquisition in uncooperative children, improved vessel contrast enhancement, increased detection of lesions, and multiplanar and three dimensional reconstruction may make it one of the modalities of choice in diagnosis of abdominal masses in children.