The diagnostic value of CT of pelvic masses in children

Objective To retrospectively analyze CT appearances and diagnostic value of pelvic masses in 50 children proved by operation and pathology. Methods 50 cases of pelvic masses were performed with axial plain CT scan. 32 cases of them underwent contrast enhanced CT scan. These were 31 girls and 19 boys. The age ranged from 2 hours to 14 years, mean 5.8 years. 47 cases were proved by surgical pathology,2 cases by biopsy pathology, and 1 case by voiding cystourethrography. Results The pelvic masses were : 27 germ cell tumors, 7 rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS), 4 tumors of neural origin, 2 hydrometrocolpos,1 pelvic lipomatosis,1 ureterocele in bladder, 1 non Hodgkin′s lymphoma(NHL), 1 ectopic hyperplasia of prostate in pelvic,1 appendiceal abscess, 1 prostatic abscess,1 megabladder, 1 mesenteric cyst, 1 duplication of the small intestine, 1 leiomyosarcoma. 46 of 50 cases were correctly diagnosed by CT scan before surgery(92%), 4 cases were mistaken by CT scan(8%). 31 cases were benign masses(62%), and 19 cases were malignant masses(38%), 17 of 19 malignant masses were solid (89.5%). 29 of 31 benign masses were mixed density masses and cystic masses(93.5%) . Conclusion CT scan was the best method of choices in showing the size, density, shape, and location of pelvic masses and its relationship to pelvic organs, musculature, and bones. Pelvic CT is the most recent technique utilized in the diagnosis of patients with pelvic masses.