Pediatric renal cell carcinoma as second malignancy: reports of two cases and a review of the literature.

Pediatric renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is relatively rare and appears to comprise a group of tumors distinct from RCCs typically seen in adults. Recently described tumors show an association with neuroblastoma or specific chromosomal translocations. Only rarely have other childhood cancers been associated with pediatric RCC. We present two cases of pediatric RCC following treatment of other childhood malignancies not previously described, supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and review the literature on pediatric RCC. As the RCCs were discovered as incidental radiologic findings, we emphasize the importance of close follow-up (including imaging) at routine intervals in survivors of childhood malignancies, not only to monitor for recurrence or metastasis, but also for development of a second malignancy.

Case analysis of brain-injured admittedly shaken infants: 54 cases, 1969-2001.

The English-language medical case literature was searched for cases of apparent or alleged child abuse between the years 1969 and 2001. Three-hundred and twenty-four cases that contained detailed individual case information were analyzed yielding 54 cases in which someone was recorded as having admitted, in some fashion, to have shaken the injured baby. Individual case findings were tabulated and analyzed with respect to shaking as being the cause for the injuries reported. For all 54 admittedly-shaken-infant cases, the provided details regarding the shaking incidents and other events are reported. Data in the case reports varied widely with respect to important details. Only 11 cases of admittedly shaken babies showed no sign of cranial impact (apparently free-shaken). This small number of cases does not permit valid statistical analysis or support for many of the commonly stated aspects of the so-called shaken baby syndrome.