Transcranial sonographic measurement of the third ventricle to detect hydrocephalus in children population: Correlation to computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: In neuro-intensive care, transcranial temporal ultrasound is used in adults and children to monitor brain-injured patients. It is accepted as a valuable tool for exploring brain structures. Our study aims to establish a correlation between the measurement of the third ventricle (V3) by transcranial ultrasound via temporal window and a reference method, computed tomography (CT), which could validate the method for hydrocephalus detection in the children population. DESIGN: This is a prospective double-blind study of 34 children under 15 years. Two consultants in intensive care performed the ultrasound while a radiologist performed the CT measurements. RESULTS: Of the 34 patients included, the V3 could be measured in 88% of cases. Among these 30 patients, there is a good correlation between CT and ultrasound measurements with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.773. This correlation is more important as the diameter of the V3 increases. We could determine a threshold of 3.65 mm in diameter to identify hydrocephalus on ultrasound with a detection sensitivity of 100%, and a specificity of 94.1%. CONCLUSION: Measuring the diameter of the V3 by trans-cranial sonography remains a simple, reproducible, non-invasive tool and has a good correlation with reference examinations such as CT.

Les brûlures électriques par haut voltage de l'enfant, à propos de trois cas.

High-voltage electrical burn injuries are rare emergencies in pediatric units and always associated with a poor prognosis. Recklessness, lack of knowledge about electric currents and the lack of safety around public electricity infrastructures are the three main factors contributing to the occurrence of high-voltage electrical accidents in children. Mortality is due to acute cardiac and renal complications, and trauma associated with falls. Secondary evolution is dominated by the risk of infection and the severity of functional sequelae. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment is needed to prevent these complications. Therapeutic management is based on early resuscitation and surgical management of tissue damage. We report three cases of high-voltage electrocution in children, with electro-thermal burns associated with severe head injury in one case, and myocardial damage and a compartment syndrome with severe functional sequelae in the other two. These three case reports are an opportunity to discuss literature data.

[Perthes syndrome secondary to an asthma attack: A case report in a 15-year-old child]. / Syndrome de Perthes secondaire à une crise d'asthme : à propos d'un cas chez un enfant de 15 ans.

Perthes syndrome, or traumatic asphyxia syndrome, is a rare clinical entity, associating cyanosis, cervicofacial petechiae and subconjunctival hemorrhage. It is usually secondary to chest trauma, but can occur in any situation of abrupt rise in intrathoracic pressure with closed glottis. In this paper, we present a case of Perthes syndrome that triggered an asthma attack for a child during surgery.

[Anterolateral diaphragmatic hernia: case report]. / Hernie diaphragmatique congénitale antérolatérale : à propos d'un cas.

Congenital anterolateral diaphragmatic hernia is rare, with few cases reported in the literature. This anomaly is usually associated with left pulmonary hypoplasia. Treatment is surgical and prognosis depends on the presence and severity of associated malformations. We report a case of an intraoperative discovery of this unusual type of diaphragmatic hernia in an infant.

Melena revealing a nasopharyngeal leech: a paediatric case.

Leech infestation occurs after swimming or ingestion of freshwater, especially in rural areas. Symptoms are different depending on the binding site of the leech. At the nasopharynx, it is mainly responsible for epistaxis. We report a case of an unknown pharyngeal location of a leech in a three year-old girl responsible for melena and leading to a severe anaemia.