[Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction†: diagnosis and management]. / Obstruction laryngée induite à l'effort: méthodes diagnostiques et prise en charge.

Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) is a condition characterized by temporary narrowing or closure of the larynx during physical activity, in particular during intense physical exertion. It generally affects teenagers and young adults and is often misdiagnosed as exercise-induced asthma. Symptoms include dyspnea, wheezing and a feeling of throat tightness during exercise. The aim of this article is to review this often underrecognized condition, its diagnosis and its management.

L'obstruction laryngée induite à l'effort (EILO) est une affection caractérisée par le rétrécissement ou la fermeture temporaire du larynx au cours d'une activité physique, en particulier lors d'un effort physique intense. Elle touche généralement les adolescents et les jeunes adultes et est souvent diagnostiquée à tort comme de l'asthme d'effort. Les symptômes comprennent une dyspnée, une respiration sifflante et une sensation d'oppression au niveau de la gorge pendant l'exercice. Cet article passe en revue cette pathologie souvent méconnue, son diagnostic et sa prise en charge.

Necrotizing pneumonia in children: Chest computed tomography vs. lung ultrasound.

Background: The utilization of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the chest for the diagnosis of necrotizing pneumonia (NP), a complication of community-acquired pneumonia, is controversial because of the inherent ionizing radiation involved. Over the past few years, the growing availability of bedside Lung Ultrasound (LUS) devices has led to increased use of this nonionizing imaging method for diagnosing thoracic pathology, including pneumonia. Objective: The objectives of this study were as follows: first, to compare the performance of LUS vs. CT in the identification of certain radiological signs of NP, and second, to determine whether LUS could replace CT in the diagnosis of NP. Materials and methods: We compared retrospectively the CT and LUS images of 41 patients between 2005 and 2018 in whom at least one contrast-injected chest CT scan and one LUS had been undertaken fewer than 7 days apart. Results: Pleural effusions were demonstrated almost systematically (100% on CT vs. 95.8% on LUS). Visualization of septations in pleural effusions was clearly superior on LUS (20.4% on CT vs 62.5% on LUS). Concerning the detection of necrosis, we observed a strong correlation between LUS and the gold-standard CT (95.8% on LUS vs. 93.7% on CT). Parenchymal cavities were more easily detected on CT than on LUS (79.1 vs. 35.4%). Conclusion: LUS has shown to be as effective as CT in the diagnosis of NP. The use of CT in patients with NP could be limited to the detection of complications such as bronchopleural fistulae in unfavorably evolving diseases.

Unexpected associations between respiratory viruses and bacteria with Pulmonary Function Testing in children suffering from Cystic Fibrosis (MUCOVIB study).

BACKGROUND: Various bacterial and viral assemblages composing Cystic Fibrosis (CF) lung microbiota contribute to long-term lung function decline over time. Yet, the impact of individual microorganisms on pulmonary functions remains uncertain in children with CF. METHODS: As part of the 'Mucoviscidosis, respiratory VIruses, intracellular Bacteria and fastidious organisms'' project, children with CF were longitudinally followed in a Swiss multicentric study. Respiratory samples included mainly throat swabs and sputa samples for bacterial culture and 16S rRNA metagenomics and nasopharyngeal swabs for respiratory virus detection by molecular assays. Percentage of predicted Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1%) and Lung Clearance Index (LCI) were recorded. RESULTS: Sixty-one children, of whom 20 (32.8%) presented with at least one pulmonary exacerbation, were included. Almost half of the 363 nasopharyngeal swabs tested by RT-PCR were positive for a respiratory virus, mainly rhinovirus (26.5%). From linear mixed-effects regression models, P. aeruginosa (-11.35, 95%CI [-17.90; -4.80], p = 0.001) was significantly associated with a decreased FEV1%, whereas rhinovirus was associated with a significantly higher FEV1% (+4.24 95%CI [1.67; 6.81], p = 0.001). Compared to conventional culture, 16S rRNA metagenomics showed a sensitivity and specificity of 80.0% and 85.4%, respectively for detection of typical CF pathogens. However, metagenomics detected a bacteria almost twice more often than culture. CONCLUSIONS: As expected, P. aeruginosa impacted negatively on FEV1% while rhinovirus was surprisingly associated with better FEV1%. Culture-free assays identifie significantly more pathogens than standard culture, with disputable clinical correlation.

Prevalence and risk factors of lactic acidosis in children with acute moderate and severe asthma, a prospective observational study.

Lactic acidosis is a common complication of status asthmaticus in adults. However, data is sparse in children. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and risk factors for lactic acidosis in children hospitalised for acute moderate or severe asthma. A total of 154 children 2-17 years of age were enrolled in a prospective observational study conducted in a tertiary hospital. All had capillary blood gas assessment 4 h after the first dose of salbutamol in hospital. The primary endpoint was the prevalence of lactic acidosis. Potential contributing factors such as age, sex, BMI, initial degree of asthma severity, type of salbutamol administration (nebuliser or inhaler), steroids, ipratropium bromide, and glucose-containing maintenance fluid represented secondary endpoints. All in all, 87% of patients had hyperlactatemia (lactate concentration > 2.2 mmol/l). Lactic acidosis (lactate concentration > 5 mmol/l and anion gap ≥ 16 mmol/l) was observed in 26%. In multivariate analysis, age more than 6 years (OR = 2.8, 95% CI 1.2-6.6), glycemia above 11 mmol/l (OR = 3.2 95% CI 1.4-7.4), and salbutamol administered by nebuliser (OR = 10, 95% CI 2.7-47) were identified as risk factors for lactic acidosis in children with moderate or severe asthma.Conclusion: Lactic acidosis is a frequent and early complication of acute moderate or severe asthma in children. What is Known: • Lactic acidosis during acute asthma is associated with b2-mimetics administration. • Salbutamol-related lactic acidosis is self-limited but important to recognise, as compensatory hyperventilation of lactic acidosis can be mistaken for respiratory worsening and lead to inappropriate supplemental bronchodilator administration. What is New: • Lactic acidosis is a frequent complication of acute asthma in the paediatric population. • Age older than 6 years, hyperglycaemia, and nebulised salbutamol are risk factors for lactic acidosis during asthma.

Bilateral Dacryoadenitis: Don't Forget Tuberculosis!

Tuberculous dacryoadenitis occurs rarely. It should be suspected in children presenting with unremitting inflammation of the lacrimal gland despite standard antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory treatment, and a thorough systemic evaluation should be undertaken to identify a primary infectious site. We present an adolescent girl in whom bilateral dacryoadenitis was the first sign of pulmonary tuberculosis.