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This retrospective study included preoperative MR imaging of 288 pediatric patients with pediatric posterior fossa tumors, including medulloblastoma (n=111), ependymoma (n=70), and pilocytic astrocytoma (n=107). Radiomics features were extracted from T2-weighted images, contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images, and ADC maps. Models generated by standard manual optimization by a machine learning expert were compared with automatic machine learning via the Tree-Based Pipeline Optimization Tool for performance evaluation. The authors conclude that automatic machine learning based on routine MR imaging classified pediatric posterior fossa tumors with high accuracy compared with manual expert pipeline optimization and qualitative expert MR imaging review.

Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) for retinoblastoma (Rb) has dramatically altered the natural history of the disease. Cure rates, globe salvage, and vision preservation have dramatically increased. This retrospective chart review evaluated 207 Rb tumors of 207 eyes in 196 consecutive patients who underwent 658 IAC infusions overall. Patient weights were ≤10 kg in 69 (35.2%) and >10 kg in 127 (64.8%) patients. Comparison (≤10 kg versus >10 kg) revealed that the total number of IAC infusions was 222 versus 436. Periprocedural complications were not significantly different. The authors conclude that intra-arterial chemotherapy in patients weighing ≤10 kg is a safe and effective treatment.