G. Pinto et al., CONTRIBUTION OF COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY AND M AGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING OF THE CHEST TO THE MANAGEMENT OF PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE-CARE PATIENTS, Annales de pediatrie, 41(3), 1994, pp. 165-170
Although the plain chest film remains the pivotal investigation in int
ensive care patients, the diagnostic and topographic information provi
ded by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging warrants tra
nsportation to the radiology unit of some patients with complex condit
ions. Computed tomography is useful in infections involving the lung p
arenchyma, pleural cavities, and mediastinum; mediastinal space-occupy
ing lesions with compression of the airways; poorly tolerated congenit
al pulmonary defects amenable to limited surgical treatment (e.g., ade
nomatoid malformations); and multiple injuries in which prompt evaluat
ion of lesions is essential. The main indications for magnetic resonan
ce imaging include aortic arch compression, congenital cardiovascular
defects, and poorly tolerated space-occupying lesions of the cardiac c
hambers or pericardium (m combination with echocardiography). In patie
nts with compression due to a mediastinal space-occupying lesion, the
topography of the lesion in the three dimensions can be accurately eva
luated.