Seemab Haider MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Ravi Bhargava MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Robert A Ashforth MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Vivek Mehta MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Michael Grace PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Paula Holinski RN, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Keith Edward Aronyk MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To assess FISP MRI of the head without sedation for shunt visualization, ventricle visualization, and need for further CT head imaging in children suspected of having a shunt malfunction.

53 children under 10 years with suspected shunt malfunctions or hydrocephalus were evaluated by FISP MRI imaging. 33 had intracranial shunts while 20 had no shunts. There were 29 males and 24 females with an average age of 2.6 years (range 0.1-9.6 ). Time to prepare the patient, scan time, and number of sequences was recorded. A pediatric radiologist, neuroradiologist and 2 pediatric neurosurgeons reviewed blinded images. Assessment of shunt and ventricular visualization was graded on a 5-point scale from well seen to not seen. Reviewers were also asked whether a CT scan was needed.

FISP MRI showed a significant difference (p=.006) in determining presence (10/33) or absence of a shunt (20/20). There was no significant difference between shunt and no shunt groups, as well as between genders, in time to prepare, scan time, sequences, age, and ventricular assessment. On a group consensus 51/53 patient ventricular systems were well seen or fairly well seen. On a group basis no patient was specified to need a CT in further evaluation.

FISP MRI is a radiation-free, fast, technique that does not require sedation which provides ventricular and shunt absence visualization and might replace head CT scans in children with suspected shunt malfunctions.

Haider, S, Bhargava, R, Ashforth, R, Mehta, V, Grace, M, Holinski, P, Aronyk, K, et al, , FISP MRI of Shunt Malfunctions in Children without Sedation.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4415034.html