Computed Tomography in Acute Severe Central Nervous System Complications in Children Treated for Cancer: Still a Useful Diagnostic Tool in the Emergency Setting

• Published in: Journal of child neurology Vol. 36; no. 3; p. 169
• Main Authors: Ricci, Emilia, Toni, Francesco, Marra, Chiara, Masetti, Riccardo, Porelli, Sayuri, Balducci, Jessica, Pession, Andrea, Cordelli, Duccio Maria
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2021
• Subjects: Adolescent; Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Brain - diagnostic imaging; Central Nervous System Diseases - etiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Emergency Service, Hospital; Female; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation - adverse effects; Humans; Infant; Male; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Neoplasms - therapy; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; chemotherapy neurotoxicities; stem cell transplantation; brain neuroimaging
• ISSN: 1708-8283
• DOI: 10.1177/0883073820962354

We retrospectively checked patients who underwent chemotherapy and/or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from 2007 to 2016, in order to evaluate whether early computed tomography is useful in children treated for cancer with acute central nervous system complications. Out of a total sample of 443 patients, 52 children (11.7%) presented these complications. In the end, 31 patients were included, with a total of 33 events of central nervous system complications. The computed tomography was abnormal in 22 events (67%) and diagnostic for a specific complication in 20 events (61%), whereas it directly influenced the treatment in 16 events (48%). Computed tomography should be still considered a relevant diagnostic tool in the management of acute central nervous system complications in the emergency setting.