Retrospective CT imaging findings of pediatric colorectal carcinoma with correlative outcomes: a case series.
- 1Department of Radiology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.1678 Dongfang Road, Shanghai, 200127, China.
- 2Department of Radiology, Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital, No.39 Wangjiang Road, Anhui, 230051, China.
- 3Department of Radiology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.1678 Dongfang Road, Shanghai, 200127, China. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
Colorectal carcinoma is rare in children and adolescents, and it usually presents with non-specific signs and symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis and poor prognosis. Based on postoperative histopathological findings, this study examines the clinical features and computed tomography (CT) imaging presentations of colorectal cancer in pediatric patients, aiming to enhance radiologists' recognition of pediatric colorectal carcinoma, thereby providing a reliable imaging reference to support clinicians in the diagnostic decision-making process.Methods
Nine cases of colorectal cancer confirmed by surgical pathology in our hospitals from January 2013 to June 2025 were collected. All patients underwent multi-slice spiral CT plain and enhanced scans before surgery. The clinical information of the children was analyzed by reviewing the hospital's electronic medical record system, and the CT imaging findings were retrospectively compared with the surgical pathology.Results
Four of nine patients were diagnosed with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, two with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma combined with signet ring cell carcinoma, two with mucinous adenocarcinoma combined with signet ring cell carcinoma, and other one with signet ring cell carcinoma. One of nine cases had liver metastasis and one case had metastasis to the left ovary. CT scans show that the main manifestations of intestinal lesions are focal wall thickening, accompanied by varying degrees of luminal narrowing, infiltration of surrounding tissues, heterogeneously enhancing lesion with mucosal hyperenhancement and discontinuity.Conclusion
Multi-slice spiral CT demonstrates potential value in the preoperative diagnosis and staging of colorectal cancer in children. By integrating the pathological basis of the tumor and highlighting its significant CT imaging features, it is helpful to enhance the accuracy of radiologists' diagnosis of this disease, and provide reliable imaging evidence for clinicians to make a clear diagnosis.
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BibTeX
@article{kong2026retrospective,
title = {{Retrospective CT imaging findings of pediatric colorectal carcinoma with correlative outcomes: a case series.}},
author = {Wei-Dan Kong and Hui-Hui Lin and Xu Li and Su-Zhen Dong},
journal = {BMC pediatrics},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12887-026-07451-9},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958135},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Retrospective CT imaging findings of pediatric colorectal carcinoma with correlative outcomes: a case series.
AU - Wei-Dan Kong
AU - Hui-Hui Lin
AU - Xu Li
AU - Su-Zhen Dong
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/01
JO - BMC pediatrics
DO - 10.1186/s12887-026-07451-9
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958135
AB - Background Colorectal carcinoma is rare in children and adolescents, and it usually presents with non-specific signs and symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis and poor prognosis. Based on postoperative histopathological findings, this study examines the clinical features and computed tomography (CT) imaging presentations of colorectal cancer in pediatric patients, aiming to enhance radiologists' recognition of pediatric colorectal carcinoma, thereby providing a reliable imaging reference to support clinicians in the diagnostic decision-making process.Methods Nine cases of colorectal cancer confirmed by surgical pathology in our hospitals from January 2013 to June 2025 were collected. All patients underwent multi-slice spiral CT plain and enhanced scans before surgery. The clinical information of the children was analyzed by reviewing the hospital's electronic medical record system, and the CT imaging findings were retrospectively compared with the surgical pathology.Results Four of nine patients were diagnosed with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, two with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma combined with signet ring cell carcinoma, two with mucinous adenocarcinoma combined with signet ring cell carcinoma, and other one with signet ring cell carcinoma. One of nine cases had liver metastasis and one case had metastasis to the left ovary. CT scans show that the main manifestations of intestinal lesions are focal wall thickening, accompanied by varying degrees of luminal narrowing, infiltration of surrounding tissues, heterogeneously enhancing lesion with mucosal hyperenhancement and discontinuity.Conclusion Multi-slice spiral CT demonstrates potential value in the preoperative diagnosis and staging of colorectal cancer in children. By integrating the pathological basis of the tumor and highlighting its significant CT imaging features, it is helpful to enhance the accuracy of radiologists' diagnosis of this disease, and provide reliable imaging evidence for clinicians to make a clear diagnosis.
SN - 1471-2431
ER -