The clinical value of CT whole-body scanning in pediatric tumour investigation.

The results of 100 consecutive CT whole-body scans in children with suspicion of a tumour and possible malignancy have been analysed. The final diagnoses were these: a tumour in 40 patients; non-tumoural lesions such as cysts, abscesses or malformations in 22; various medical conditions in 30 cases; and no abnormality in eight. The suspicion of malignancy was confirmed in 36 patients. CT proved to be an accurate method in the diagnosing and differentiation between solid or predominantly solid tumours and various non-tumoural lesions. The clinical value of CT was assessed by comparing the information from CT with those obtained by routine clinical and other radiological means. CT was positive informative in 57% of the patients and correctly excluding a tumour in 28%. CT was either non contributory or misleading in 15%. Finally, the quality of the scans were evaluated and the specific problems related to pediatric CT are discussed.