Role of Computed Tomography in the Evaluation of Pediatric Abdominal Masses

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of computed tomography (CT) in diagnosing and assessing pediatric abdominal tumors. Methods: A total of 40 pediatric patients, ranging in age from 0 to 12 years, who presented with clinically suspected abdominal masses, underwent CT imaging at the Department of Radiodiagnosis, GMCH, Aurangabad. The study analyzed tumor characteristics, including location, organ of origin, attenuation, enhancement, necrosis, cystic transformation, calcifications, and extent of spread. Diagnoses were made based on patient age and CT findings, providing both preliminary and differential diagnoses. Results: The study found that most cases involved infants under one year of age, followed by children between 1 to 5 years old. Neuroblastomas were the most frequently detected tumors, followed by Wilms' tumors. Malignant tumors were significantly more prevalent than benign ones. Conclusion: CT proved to be a highly sensitive, rapid, and reliable imaging modality for detecting, localizing, and characterizing abdominal tumors in pediatric patients. It played a crucial role in differentiating between tumor types and assisting in treatment planning, making it a valuable diagnostic tool for pediatric oncology.