Background Pediatric brain tumors are a major concern with many variable management options. Arterial spin-labeled magnetic resonance perfusion imaging is a relatively new and noninvasive technique that can help in predicting tumor grades and provide us with physiological data about the tumors which significantly aids in all stages of tumor care, including diagnosis, therapy, and follow-up. Aim of the study To determine agreement between independent observers in the assessment and prediction of brain tumor grading in pediatrics by arterial spin-labeled (ASL) magnetic resonance perfusion imaging. Methods Thirty-two patients (21 boys and 11 girls; mean age of (10.28 ± 4.31) years) with brain tumors were evaluated by ASL MRI perfusion. Image analysis was performed by two reviewers for quantifying absolute and relative tumoral blood flow (aTBF and rTBF) as well as qualitative assessment of the tumors in ASL color map images. Results The inter-observer agreement for the mean aTBF and the mean rTBF values of the studied lesions was almost perfect (inter-class correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.978, 0.997). There was substantial agreement between both observers for the qualitative assessment of the studied lesions in color ASL images (Kappa = 0.779, with % of agreement = 87.0%). The mean aTBF for grade I tumors was (24.64 ± 3.45 ml/100 g/min), for grade II tumors it was (33.81 ± 3.59 ml/100 g/min), while for high-grade tumors (grade III and IV tumors) it was (75.60 ± 20.0 ml/100 g/min) with (p < 0.001). The mean rTBF of grade I, II, and III/IV tumors was (1.01 ± 0.17); (1.07 ± 0.31); and (3.12 ± 0.24) with (p < 0.001). Conclusions Arterial spin-labeled perfusion MRI can help in the challenge of prediction of brain tumor grading in pediatrics with accurate quantitative and semi-quantitative measurements of perfusion parameters of the tumors as well as qualitative and visual assessment of the tumors.

Aim:The aim of this study is to evaluate pulmonary manifestations of ankylosing spondylitis on high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scan and to correlate these findings with clinical assessment, plain chest X-ray and pulmonary function tests. Methods:The study comprised 32 patients (26 males [81.3%], 6 females [18.8%]) who met the modified New York criteria for diagnosis of idiopathic ankylosing spondylitis; in addition 10 normal subjects not complaining of any respiratory symptoms and matched for age and sex served as a control group. All patients were subjected to full history-taking, full clinical examination, chest X-ray, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) chest and pulmonary function tests. Results:The abnormalities on HRCT included evidence of apical lung fibrosis in two patients (6.3%), interstitial lung disease in six (18.8%), minor interstitial abnormalities in eight (25%), bronchiectasis in four (12.5%), lung nodules in three (6.3%) and pleural thickening in five patients (6.3%). Nine patients (28.1%) showed negative findings by chest X-ray which revealed positive findings on HRCT. Five patients (15.6%) showed positive findings on both HRCT and plain chest X-ray, and 18 patients (56.3%) showed no findings on both HRCT and chest X-ray. Four patients (12.5%) showed normal pulmonary function tests, 25 (78.13%) showed restrictive pattern, 17 (53.13%) had obstructive pattern and 26 patients (81.3%) had diffusion defects. Conclsuion:The identification of non-apical minor basal interstitial lung disease in our study which was previously reported in other studies, raises a possible association to ankylosing spondylitis. High-resolution CT scan is more sensitive than chest X-rays in detection of such minor interstitial lung disease (ILD), and other parenchymal lung changes.