Midpole Ureterocalycostomy for Renal Transplant Salvage: A Pediatric Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Ureteral obstruction is the most common urological complication of kidney transplantation. Obstruction secondary to ureteral stenosis can be an early or late complication. CASE REPORT: We present a patient in whom ureteral obstruction was initially identified at 2.5 months after transplant for which she underwent a midpole ureterocalycostomy between the midpole calyx of the transplant kidney and the native left ureter.

Comparison of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry with six quantitative ultrasonometry devices in women with hip fractures.

OBJECTIVES: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the gold standard for assessment of bone mineral density, an important risk factor for osteoporotic fractures. Recent reports suggest that quantitative ultrasonometry (QUS) is able to predict fractures; however, only limited data in women with hip fractures are available. METHODS: We examined 91 postmenopausal women who had sustained an osteoporosis-related hip fracture within the past 7 days using DXA and six different QUS devices and compared them with 91 healthy age-matched controls. RESULTS: Femoral neck (FN), total hip (TH) and lumbar spine (LS) T-scores were lower in women with hip fractures compared to matched controls: - 2.38 vs. - 1.64 (p < 0.001), - 2.36 vs. - 1.44 (p < 0.001) and - 2.05 vs. - 1.50 (p = 0.41), respectively. The T-scores of the Achilles, Sahara, InSight and Omnisence QUS devices were also lower in patients with hip fractures compared to matched controls: - 3.20 vs. - 2.36 (p < 0.001), - 2.196 vs. - 1.761 (p = 0.005), - 2.631 vs. - 1.849 (p < 0.001), - 3.707 vs. - 3.030 (p = 0.032), respectively. However, the T-scores of the DBM and QUS-2 did not differ between the two groups: - 4.543 vs. - 4.324 (p = 0.352) and - 1.7 vs. - 2.0 (p = 0.465), respectively. Compared to DXA (hip), the odds ratios of the Achilles, InSight and Sahara were comparable, while the odds ratios of the DBM, Omnisence and QUS-2 were significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to DXA, the Achilles, Sahara and InSight QUS devices showed similar hip fracture discrimination while the DBM, Omnisence and QUS-2 did not. Therefore, some QUS devices are able to identify a clinically meaningful risk factor in women at high risk of hip fracture.

The method of application and short term results of tympanostomy tubes for the treatment of primary secretory otitis media in three Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs.

Primary secretory otitis media is an uncommon disease affecting predominantly Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs. Current treatment recommendations include repeated manual removal of the mucoid effusion from the tympanic cavity through a myringotomy incision and topical or systemic corticosteroids. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of tympanostomy tubes to provide continual tympanic cavity ventilation and drainage for the treatment of primary secretory otitis media in three dogs. Tympanostomy tubes were placed within a myringotomy incision in the pars tensa with the aid of an operating microscope. Clinical signs resolved rapidly in all cases following the procedure and all cases were asymptomatic at the time of follow-up, 8, 6 and 4 months later. Results of this study indicate that tympanostomy tubes provide continual tympanic cavity ventilation and drainage and may be an acceptable alternative to repeated myringotomy for the treatment of primary secretory otitis media.

Is it necessary to screen for hearing loss in the paediatric population with osteogenesis imperfecta?

The aim of the study was to assess the necessity of a screening service to detect early hearing loss in the paediatric population with osteogenesis imperfecta. Twenty-two children were assessed over a 5-year period. Five children (22.7%) had normal hearing. Fourteen (63.6%) had conductive hearing loss, with 12 children in this group having otitis media with effusion (OME); all had resolution of hearing loss with appropriate therapy. Two children had persistent conductive losses unrelated to OME. Three children (13.6%) had sensorineural hearing loss, with one being detected at the age of 1 year. Existing evidence suggests that hearing loss associated with osteogenesis imperfecta has its onset in the second to third decade of life. Contrary to this, hearing loss was detected in 77.3% (17) of this population with a median and mean age of 9 years. This study would suggest that routine screening is worthwhile in children with osteogenesis imperfecta.