Pediatric renal lesions are frequently encountered in clinical practice. Ultrasound is the initial modality of choice for evaluating renal lesions. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CECT) provides a more comprehensive evaluation of renal lesions, including their extent, associated findings and can aid in arriving at an accurate diagnosis, thereby facilitating appropriate management. The objectives of this present study are to evaluate the spectrum of renal lesions in the pediatric age group, differentiate between benign and malignant lesions based on CT imaging findings and assess the extent of malignant renal mass lesions to guide their management. This is a prospective observational study conducted over a two‐year period, from February 2021 to March 2023. It included 39 children admitted to the Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery with focal renal lesions detected on ultrasound or suspected renal masses based on clinical examination. All patients underwent plain and CECT examinations. CECT abdomen was performed using a 16‐slice CT machine with non‐ionic contrast Iomeprol (400 mg kg-1 dose). Out of the 39 pediatric patients, 17 were males and 22 were females. The age of the patients ranged from 1 day to 12 years. Among the 39 cases, 21 were benign and 18 were malignant. The most common age of presentation was below 4 years. No significant gender predilection was noted. The most common lesion in our study was Wilms tumor. Radiological imaging modalities, especially CECT, play a crucial role in diagnosing pediatric renal lesions. The imaging features aid in narrowing the differential diagnosis, while associated features help arrive at an accurate diagnosis. Knowledge of the extent of lesions and associated findings on CT helps in the proper management of patients and it is also valuable in avoiding unnecessary surgeries.
M. Vijayakumari, Madhavi Thatipamula and Sunitha Thaluri. Diagnostic Utility of Computed Tomography in Pediatric Renal Lesions.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.59218/makrjms.2024.1.233.239
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.59218/makrjms.2024.1.233.239