Dexamethasone versus Dexmedetomidine as Adjuvants in Ultrasound Popliteal Sciatic Nerve Block for Hallux Valgus Surgery: A Mono-Centric Retrospective Comparative Study.

Background and Aim: Ultrasound popliteal sciatic nerve block (UPSNB) is commonly performed in foot and ankle surgery. This study aims to assess the use of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as adjuvants in UPSNB for hallux valgus (HV) surgery, comparing their efficacy in producing motor and sensory block and controlling postoperative pain. The adverse event rate was also evaluated. Methods: This mono-centric retrospective study included 62 adult patients undergoing HV surgery: 30 patients received lidocaine 2% 200 mg, ropivacaine 0.5% 50 mg and dexamethasone 4 mg (Group 1), whereas 32 patients received lidocaine 2% 200 mg, ropivacaine 0.5% 50 mg, and dexmedetomidine 1 mcg/Kg (Group 2). At first, the visual analogue scale (VAS) was evaluated after 48 hours. The other outcomes were time to motor block regression, evaluation of the first analgesic drug intake, analgesic effect, adverse effects (hemodynamic disorders, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)) and patient satisfaction. The continuous data were analyzed with student's t-test and the continuous one with χ2. Statistical significance was set at a p-value lower than 0.05. Results: No significant difference was found in VAS after 48 hours (4.5 ± 1.6 vs 4.7 ± 1.7, p = 0.621) to motor block regression (18.9 ± 6.0 vs 18.7 ± 6, p = 0.922). The number of patients that took their first analgesic drug in the first 48 h (p = 0.947 at 6 hours; p = 0.421 at 12 hours; p = 0.122 at 24 hours and p = 0.333 at 48 hours) were not significant. A low and similar incidence of intraoperative hemodynamic disorders was recorded in both groups (hypotension p = 0.593; bradycardia p = 0.881). Neither PONV nor other complication was found. Patients in Group 1 reported a lower degree of interference with sleep (p = 0.001), less interference with daily activities (P = 0.002) and with the affective sphere (P = 0.015) along with a more satisfactory postoperative pain management (p < 0.001) as compared to Group 2. Conclusion: No significant differences were observed in the duration of motor and sensory blockade between patients in both groups. Additionally, both groups showed good pain control with a low rate of adverse effects, even if there was no clinical difference between the groups. However, patients who received dexamethasone reported experiencing less interference with their sleep, daily activities and overall emotional well-being, and overall pain control.

Thyroid function derangement and childhood obesity: an Italian experience.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been an increasing attention to thyroid function in paediatric obese patients. In the present study we aimed 1) to determine the prevalence of abnormally elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in Italian obese children and adolescents 2) to investigate whether hyperthyrotropinemia in obese children cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors 3) to verify if TSH elevation is reversible after weight loss. METHODS: We examined 938 obese children and adolescents (450 females). Anthropometric, metabolic and hormonal variables were determined at baseline and, in a subgroup of children with hyperthyrotropinemia, after a six month weight loss program. RESULTS: Hyperthyrotropinemia (TSH >/=4.2 muUI/ml) was diagnosed in 120 patients (12,8%). Body mass index (BMI) z-score (p = 0.02) and free T3 (fT3) levels (p = 0.03) were higher in patients with elevated TSH compared to the group with normal TSH. There were not significant differences in other metabolic parameters between the two groups.A positive correlation between baseline TSH and BMI z-score (p = 0.0045) and between Ft3 and BMI z-score (p = 0.0034) was observed, while there was no correlation between TSH and lipids. Twenty-three patients among those with hyperthyrotropinemia who participated to weight reduction intervention (64 patients), presented substantial weight loss and concomitantly a significant decrease in TSH and in fT3. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that: (1) a moderate elevation of TSH concentrations, is frequently found in obese children; (2) in obese children increase of TSH is not associated to metabolic risk factors, (3) hyperthyrotropinemia is reversible after weight loss and these data suggest that it should not be treated.

Prepubertal gynecomastia in two monozygotic twins with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: two years' treatment with anastrozole and genetic study.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by multiple gastrointestinal hamartomatous polyps, mucocutaneous pigmentation and increased predisposition to neoplasms. Endocrine manifestations in PJS include gynecomastia and advanced bone age due to estrogen production by large-cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumors (LSCT). We present two 9-year-old male monozygotic twins, with PJS, bilateral progressive prepubertal gynecomastia and testicular bilateral multifocal calcifications, suggesting a diagnosis of LSCT. Their father had PJS but no history of gynecomastia or testicular calcifications. No mutations were found in the tumor suppressor gene LKB1/STK11, which is responsible for about 60% of PJS cases. The genotype of the aromatase cytochrome P450 19, a key enzyme involved in estrogen biosynthesis, was the same in the father and his twins. To reduce gynecomastia and delay skeletal maturation, the children started treatment with anastrozole, an aromatase inhibitor. Growth velocity decreased and gynecomastia diminished. After 2 years of treatment, anastrozole is still currently used at a dosage of 1 mg once daily with no side effects. In this study, a couple of monozygotic twins with PJS, prepubertal gynecomastia and LSCT is reported for the first time and anastrozole appears to be an efficacious medical treatment, as an alternative to orchidectomy, to control the effects of estrogen excess.

A novel microdeletion in the IGF2/H19 imprinting centre region defines a recurrent mutation mechanism in familial Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.

The overgrowth disorder Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is associated with dysregulation of imprinted genes at chromosome 11p15.5. The molecular defects are heterogeneous but most of the cases are associated with defective DNA methylation at either one of two Imprinting Control Regions (IC1 and IC2) or Uniparental paternal Disomy (UPD) at 11p15.5. In rare cases, the BWS phenotype has been found associated with maternal transmission of IC1 microdeletions. We describe a family with a novel 1.8 kb deletion that is associated with hypermethylation at IC1. The mutation results from recombination between highly homologous sequences containing target sites for the zinc-finger protein CTCF (CTSs). This finding supports the hypothesis that the function of IC1 and the penetrance of the clinical phenotype depend on the spacing of the CTSs resulting from recombination in the mutant allele.

Atrial myocardial deformation properties in obese nonhypertensive children.

BACKGROUND: Obesity in adulthood is associated with a higher occurrence of atrial arrhythmias. Obese children, without arterial hypertension, may be a unique clinical opportunity to evaluate the effect of obesity, per se, on atrial myocardial function, excluding the influence of possible comorbidities. We sought to define the preclinical effects of obesity on the atrial function of healthy children with excess weight who have no other clinically appreciable cause of heart disease, by using the more sensitive ultrasonic-derived strain (S) and S rate imaging. METHODS: We studied 320 children divided into two groups: obese children (group O; n = 160; age 12 +/- 3 years); and healthy lean children, comparable for age, sex, and pubertal stage (referents; n = 160; mean age 12 +/- 3 years). RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure (BP) and diastolic BP, as well as 24-hour systolic BP and 24-hour diastolic BP were comparable between groups. Left ventricular mass/height(2.7) and left atrial dimensions were increased (P < .0001) in group O (46 +/- 12 g/m(2.7)) compared with referents (31 +/- 14 g/m(2.7)). Standard echocardiographic indices of global left ventricular systolic function were similar in the two groups. Obese children showed atrial peak systolic S rate (2.5 +/- 1.2 (s-1)) values lower (P < .0001) than that of referents (4.9 +/- 1.6(s-1)) in both left and right atria. In multivariable analysis, average peak systolic atrial S was significantly correlated with glycemia (P < .05, coefficient -0.23), body mass index (P < .01, coefficient -0.19), and left ventricular mass (P < .05, coefficient -0.17). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that obesity, in absence of hypertension, is associated with reduced atrial myocardial deformation properties already in childhood involving both right and left atria.

Abnormal myocardial deformation properties in obese, non-hypertensive children: an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, standard echocardiographic, and strain rate imaging study.

AIMS: The prevalence of obesity is increasing among children in the developed world. The association of obesity and abnormal cardiac function is still debated. The reported changes may reflect the role of comorbidities that contribute to ventricular dysfunction. Obese children, without arterial hypertension, may be a unique clinical opportunity to evaluate the effect of obesity, per se, on myocardial function, excluding the influence of possible comorbidities. We sought to define the preclinical effects of obesity on the cardiovascular system, of healthy children with excess weight who have no other clinically appreciable cause of heart disease, using the more sensitive ultrasonic-derived strain and strain rate (SR) imaging. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 300 subjects divided into two groups: (i) obese children (Group O: n=150; age, 12+/-3 years); (ii) healthy lean children comparable for age, sex, and pubertal stage (Referents: n=150; mean age, 12+/-3 years). Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), as well as 24 h-SBP and 24 h-DBP were comparable between groups. Left ventricular (LV) mass/height(2.7) was increased (P<0.0001) in Group O (46+/-12 g/m(2.7)) when compared with Referents (31+/-14 gm(2.7)). Standard echocardiographic indices of global systolic function were similar in the two groups. Intima-media thickness measured at the common carotid artery was not significantly different (P=0.4) in obese children (0.46+/-0.09 mm) when compared with Referents (0.45+/-0.07 mm). Obese children showed regional longitudinal peak systolic myocardial deformation properties (SR=-1.4+/-0.7 s(-1)) lower (P<0.0001) than those of Referents (SR=-2.2+/-0.5) in both left and right ventricle. In multivariable analysis, average peak systolic SR was significantly correlated with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (P<0.01; coefficient, 0.02; SE, 0.011), and insulin serum concentration (P<0.01; coefficient, 0.05; SE, 0.023). Average LV peak systolic strain was significantly correlated with body mass index (P=0.0001; coefficient, 0.06; SE, 0.016), LVM/H(2.7) (P=0.006; coefficient, 0.016; SE, 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that obesity, in absence of hypertension, is associated with significant reduction in systolic myocardial deformation properties already in childhood involving both right and left ventricle. Obesity not only is a risk factor for later cardiovascular disease, but also is associated with contemporaneous and significant impairment of longitudinal myocardial deformation properties.