Spinal cord anomalies in children with anorectal malformations: Ultrasound is a good screening test
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In brief
In brief
Retrospective study of 193 children with anorectal malformations comparing spinal ultrasound and MRI for detecting spinal cord anomalies. Ultrasound demonstrated 80% concordance with MRI findings when abnormal, supporting its use as an effective first-line screening tool in infants under 4 months.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to correlate spinal ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with anorectal malformations (ARMs).
Methods
A retrospective analysis of records was performed for children with ARM presenting to two major pediatric hospitals between 2009 and 2017. The primary outcome analyzed was detection of spinal cord anomalies. Spinal US was performed up to 4 months and MRI within the first year of life. The conus medullaris was considered normal if it had a tapering contour and terminated at or above the Lumbar 2-3 disk space.
Results
One hundred ninety-three patients with ARM presented during the study period with a slight male preponderance (108, 56%). Spinal imaging was performed in 157(82%) - 137(87%) had US, 64(41%) had MRI and 44 (28%) had both. Of the 44 who had both; US was abnormal in 25 children-confirmed by MRI in 20 (80%). US was normal in 17 children- MRI showed a filum cyst in 1 and a lipoma in 2 children and was inconclusive in 2 children (p