Magnetic resonance imaging of benign and premalignant tumors in childhood

Purpose: To evaluate the potential of MRI in determining benign and premali gnant abdominal tumors in childhood. Methods: MR images of 93 children with 69 malignant and 24 benign abdominal tumors were analyzed retrospectively without and with knowledge of clinica l findings. Based on the final diagnosis, MR findings were surveyed with re gard to the correct differential diagnosis and to the differentiation betwe en benign and malignant masses. Results: Analysis of MRI alone revealed relatively low sensitivity of 67% f or diagnosis of a benign tumor. The main reason was unspecific morphologic criteria leading to the false-negative diagnosis of a malignant tumor. Toge ther with clinical and laboratory findings, sensitivity could be increased to 92%. The main criterion for differentiation of malignant tumors turned t o be out the origin of tumor. Benign tumors could be best differentiated by their internal structure. Conclusion: When considering clinical findings in pediatric abdominal tumor s, MRI represents a valuable modality for differential diagnosis.