CT, MRI mature for ped imaging

Pediatric radiologists have some anxiety about 64-slice CT protocols in children. It's easier, they say, to mistakenly raise the current because these scanners do not need to be cooled.

The 2005 RSNA meeting was the first to devote two sessions to pediatric neuroradiology. Studies reported at the meeting covered several other points:

- The emphasis to reduce radiation dose in CT scanning is counterbalanced by an increased evaluation of whole-body MR to image children.

- Pediatric chest researchers have successfully used hyperpolarized helium in children to help characterize airways. The technique should benefit those who must undergo serial scanning such as pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis.

- More research attention is being paid to use of diffusion MR to isolate and identify specific processes and to help characterize pathology in the brain.

- Use of MRI to evaluate neonates and infants is increasing.