Pediatric blunt renal trauma with wide fragments dislocation: successful organ saving management by internal stenting and percutaneous perirenal drain.

Children have an high risk of renal damage as a result of blunt trauma. Conservative management is always recommended for lower grades (I to III) but is rather controversial whenever high grade injuries (grade IV and V) are concerned. We describe a case of successful conservative management in grade IV renal injury occurred in a 9-years-old girl with blunt trauma.

Cylindrical implosion platform for the study of highly magnetized plasmas at Laser MegaJoule.

Investigating the potential benefits of the use of magnetic fields in inertial confinement fusion experiments has given rise to experimental platforms like the Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion approach at the Z-machine (Sandia National Laboratories) or its laser-driven equivalent at OMEGA (Laboratory for Laser Energetics). Implementing these platforms at MegaJoule-scale laser facilities, such as the Laser MegaJoule (LMJ) or the National Ignition Facility (NIF), is crucial to reaching self-sustained nuclear fusion and enlarges the level of magnetization that can be achieved through a higher compression. In this paper, we present a complete design of an experimental platform for magnetized implosions using cylindrical targets at LMJ. A seed magnetic field is generated along the axis of the cylinder using laser-driven coil targets, minimizing debris and increasing diagnostic access compared with pulsed power field generators. We present a comprehensive simulation study of the initial B field generated with these coil targets, as well as two-dimensional extended magnetohydrodynamics simulations showing that a 5 T initial B field is compressed up to 25 kT during the implosion. Under these circumstances, the electrons become magnetized, which severely modifies the plasma conditions at stagnation. In particular, in the hot spot the electron temperature is increased (from 1 keV to 5 keV) while the density is reduced (from 40g/cm^{3} to 7g/cm^{3}). We discuss how these changes can be diagnosed using x-ray imaging and spectroscopy, and particle diagnostics. We propose the simultaneous use of two dopants in the fuel (Ar and Kr) to act as spectroscopic tracers. We show that this introduces an effective spatial resolution in the plasma which permits an unambiguous observation of the B-field effects. Additionally, we present a plan for future experiments of this kind at LMJ.

Fourier-limited seeded soft x-ray laser pulse.

We present what we believe to be the first measurement of the spectral properties of a soft x-ray laser seeded by a high-order harmonic beam. Using an interferometric method, the spectral profile of a seeded Ni-like krypton soft x-ray laser (32.8 nm) generated by optical field ionization has been experimentally determined, and the shortest possible pulse duration has been deduced. The source exhibits a Voigt spectral profile with an FWHM of 3.1+/-0.3 mA, leading to a Fourier-transform pulse duration of 4.7 ps. This value is comparable with the upper limit of the soft x-ray pulse duration determined by experimentally investigating the gain dynamics, from which we conclude that the source has reached the Fourier limit. The measured bandwidth is in good agreement with the predictions of a radiative transfer code, including gain line narrowing and saturation rebroadening.

Hepatoblastoma in a 14 month-old female.

Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common malignant liver tumor in children. Complete surgical resection is the best treatment choice with a good prognosis in most cases. We present the case of a 14 month-old female patient was admitted to the pediatric surgery unit due to an abdominal mass localized in the right upper quadrant. The diagnosis retained was hepatoblastoma, so the patient underwent preoperative chemotherapy. The final size of the tumor permitted a complete surgical resection through a right subcostal incision enlarged to the left. Hepatoblastoma is the most common malignant liver tumor in children, more frequent in male than in female and typically presenting before 3 years of age as an abdominal mass found accidentally. Recent treatment strategies, consisting of chemotherapy combined with extensive surgery and in extreme cases liver transplantation, have improved the prognosis during the last years although HB's etiology and management are still subjects of debate.

Pancreatic resections: early results and functional behaviour of the stapled pancreatic stump.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the standard surgical treatment for patients with pancreatic head cancer. Morbidity and mortality rates following this procedure have constantly decreased over the past several years. Leakage of the pancreaticoenteric anastomosis is one of the most serious complications, often responsible for a fatal outcome. Several methods for the management of the pancreatic stump have been described in order to reduce the worrisome incidence of this complication, with variable results. In this series, the Authors review their experience of 75 pancreatic resections and analyze the early results and functional behaviour of 6 patients in which the pancreatic stump was stapled without pancreaticoenteric anastomosis.

Prenatal diagnosis and management of some fetal intrathoracic abnormalities.

Nine cases of fetal intrathoracic anomalies detected in utero and followed to birth are reviewed. There were 6 congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDH), one congenital pleural effusion and two isolated cysts of the lung. All these conditions were potentially responsible for neonatal respiratory distress and received early intensive treatment after maternal transport and delivery had been arranged in a center with thoracic surgical facilities available. The risks of a delayed or missed diagnosis were thus avoided, especially for CDH. Despite intensive, traditional, respiratory support, started in the delivery room, mortality among prenatally detected cases of CDH was paradoxically high (83%), compared to mortality among 7 cases of CDH not detected in utero, referred in the same period to our Institution, and symptomatic within 6 h from birth (63%). With prenatal diagnosis the total number of CDH cases referred to a surgical center before birth increases. Many cases which would never have been treated in the past because of death before referral and treatment for severe pulmonary hypoplasia not compatible with life are thus observed and sometimes treated. Nevertheless, lung development continues to be a determining factor for survival even when intensive treatment at birth is available. Responsiveness to therapy is unpredictable before birth and proposed antenatal treatment is still far from being a realistic option. For the other three newborns, where a pleural effusion and pulmonary cysts were found, prenatal diagnosis helped to start appropriate treatment and to prevent neonatal hypoxia in two of them. In the third case, with an incommunicant, isolated pulmonary cyst, the outcome would have been favourable even without a prenatal diagnosis.

Outcome after early treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Aneurysms of the popliteal artery are rare events with an estimated incidence of 0.1-2.8%. Their clinical importance depends on their propensity to cause thromboembolic complications or to rupture (18 to 31% of cases). This study was designed to assess the advantages of elective treatment of asymptomatic popliteal artery aneurysms so as to avoid the severe clinical manifestations that eventually arise if they remain untreated. METHODS: From 1980 to 1995, in our department we treated 28 popliteal aneurysms in 23 patients (19 elective operations and 6 emergencies). Three of the aneurysms proved amenable to fibrinolytic therapy alone. Follow-up lasted a mean 48 months (range 3 months to 15 years) in 20 patients (23 revascularizations). RESULTS: Global patency was 91.3%. Two thrombosed bypasses were treated by thrombolysis; in one case it did not resolve the ischaemia and the leg was amputated. In one case only, a graft became infected but this responded to conservative therapy with drainage and antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that popliteal aneurysms with good distal run-off should be repaired electively. Completely thrombosed aneurysms with coexistent limb-threatening ischaemia should be treated initially by thrombolysis. This will usually restore run-off and in some cases offers a valid alternative to emergency surgery for limb salvage.

[Liver metastasis of breast carcinoma. Results of surgical resection. Analysis of 15 operated cases]. / Metastasi epatiche da carcinoma mammario. I risultati della resezione chirurgica. Analisi di 15 casi operati.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to define the efficacy of liver resection for metastases from operated breast cancer by means of analysis of the results of a single institution compared to the literature data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over the period from 1990 to 1998, 15 patients with liver metastases from operated breast cancer were submitted to surgical resection. Thirteen patients were operated on for single metastases and two for multiple liver metastases. In the first group, a simple metastasectomy or wedge resection was sufficient, while in the second a bisegmentectomy and a right hepatectomy, respectively, were performed. Nine patients were subsequently submitted to adjuvant chemotherapy, two to chemo- and hormonotherapy, and two to hormonotherapy alone, while two other patients received no systemic treatment. RESULTS: No major complications or postoperative mortality were observed. Median survival was 44 months. The actuarial 5-year survival rate was 38.3%. Eight patients are still alive, and 7 patients have died as a result of their liver and systemic metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic metastasis from breast cancer is a good indication for surgical resection. Resection is capable of providing curative treatment and better results in terms of quality of life and survival rates, as compared to chemotherapy and hormonotherapy, especially in patients operated on for primary tumours more than three years earlier.

[Abdominal masses in pediatric age; clinical aspects and diagnostic approach in 52 cases (author's transl)]. / Masse addominali in età pediatrica. Aspetti clinici e orientamento diagnostico in 52 casi.

A large series of malignant and benign conditions are generally collected under the term of abdominal masses. Their common aspect is the lack, in most of the cases, of peculiar clinical features which may help early differential diagnosis. In many cases the mass is detected late after a long period of vague, aspecific symptoms. 40% of these space occupying lesions of the abdomen are of malignant origin and delayed detection and investigation affect clinical course. Preoperative study of abdominal masses is a problem of primary importance in pediatric surgical practice. A changing attitude is registered towards many diagnostic procedures and the role of largely diffused techniques like angiography is controversial. The introduction of ultrasonography makes in many cases intensive radiologic investigation unwarranted and academic. The Authors discuss the real role and targets of preoperative investigations of abdominal masses and refer on their experience based on 52 cases, to underline some clinical aspects and analyse their diagnostic approach to this pathology.

[Congenital megacolon in neonates and infants: impact of early, one-stage repair on morbidity and surgical complications]. / Megacolon agangliare nel neonato e nel lattante: riflessi del trattamento precoce in tempo unico su morbilità e complicanze chirurgiche.

Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is a major cause of congenital bowel obstruction in children. Classical management includes stoma creation, a pull-through procedure, and restoration of bowel continuity. Colostomy may be also pulled through directly at second operation. Since the first report of a single stage (SS) primary pull-through without colostomy for HD, in 1980, several patients have been treated according to this procedure, even in neonatal period. All of them had a favourable outcome with better compliance of families and less hospital stay. The Authors reviewed the clinical records of 22 patients selected among 36 treated for HD between 1992 and 2000; in all, disease extended to rectum-sigma-descendent; all cases of "total aganglionosis" or "ultra short" cases were excluded. Fifteen patients underwent SS repair: 11 neonates were operated at mean age of 69 days (range 14-172). In four infants diagnosis was made later (mean age 15 +/- 9 months) and SS repair was performed 8 days after (range 4-14). Seven patients underwent multiple stage (MS) repairs for clinical reasons: pull-through of the previous colostomy was performed at mean age of 171 days (range 47-330). A Duhamel procedure with an Endo-GIA linear stapler was performed in all No differences in gestational age or birth weight were found in both groups. Complications were observed only in the MS group (2 related to colostomy, 1 to postoperative adhesions). The Authors conclude that primary SS treatment of HD is safe and effective even in newborn patient, reduce familiar stress and hospital stay. The lower morbidity and complication rates could be explained by the limited bowel manipulation. Accurate histological-hystochemical diagnosis and meticulous preoperative bowel management should be part of the management.

[Intramural esophageal bronchogenic cyst: an unusual cause of dysphagia in pediatric patients. Report of a case]. / Quiste broncogénico de la pared esofágica: un caso inusual de disfagia en un paciente pediátrico.

Bronchogenic cyst a bronchopulmonary foregut malformation. An intramural esophageal localization has rarely been reported in respect to more common esophageal duplications or leiomyoma. The authors describe a case of bronchogenic cyst of the esophageal wall in a 3 years old girl. It was an misdiagnosed cause of dysphagia and was revealed by endoscopy and CT scan after two uneffective antireflux procedures performed in different institutions, which caused a worsening of symptoms. Complete excision of the lesion through a thoractomic approach and a redo of the antireflux procedure were followed by complete recovery.

[Natural history of prenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis: possible recurrence of dilatation after spontaneous reduction, in cases with pelvic diameter larger than 20 mms, recommends long term follow-up]. / Evoluzione naturale delle idronefrosi a diagnosi prenatale: rischio di ricomparsa, dopo riduzione spontanea, delle dilatazioni con DAP superiore a 20 mm ed indicazioni per un follow-up a lungo termine.

BACKGROUND: Long term follow-up of a prenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis usually extends no longer than the first two years of life. During this period spontaneous reduction occurs in most of the dilatations, not sustained by obstruction or reflux. Late recurrence of hydronephrosis is considered to be unusual. The aim of the present work has been to verify the risk of recurrent hydronephrosis long time after reduction and to identify factors associated to recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a seven years period (1992-99) 276 patients with hydronephrosis unrelated to reflux, duplex kidney, megaureter or vesical obstruction have been observed. Among them, 231 were referred after prenatal diagnosis. Hydronephrosis of grade III or more was recorded in 73/231 with a pelvic diameter > or = 15 mms at ultrasonography (US) and a normal counter-lateral kidney. Surgical treatment was elected in 39 cases on the basis of a separate function < 40%, deterioration during follow-up, or occurrence of clinical symptoms. Thirthy four cases were treated conservatively and four were lost at follow. Among the remaining 30 cases, 14 had a pelvic diameter lager than 20 mms. They were followed for a mean of 16.6 months (range 7-26) and spontaneous significant reduction of pelvic dilatation was recorded in all of them. RESULTS: Patients were recalled after a mean of 32.1 months from the last US. In 3 cases among 14 with a pelvic diameter larger than 20 mms a recurrent severe hydronephrosis was found respectively at 39, 56, and 68 months. In two of them, isotopic scans documented a reduced separate function. The third case reported recurrent symtpoms. A pyeloplasty was performed in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous reduction in most of the prenatally detected cases of neonatal hydronephrosis within the first two months of life make follow-up beyond this term controversial, whenever complete disappearance of pelvic dilatation has been documented. The Authors report three cases with severe hydronephrosis (pelvic diameter > 20 mms) among a group of patients treated conservatively. Long time after spontaneous reduction, recurrent hydronephrosis was documented in all by US, associated to deterioration of separate function and symptoms. Long term follow-up is recommendable in severe cases of prenatally detected hydronephrosis cases, even after reduction, to warrant from recurrence and renal damage.

[Hydrocele and inguinal hernia after ventriculo-peritoneal shunt in childhood]. / Idrocele ed ernia inguinale dopo derivazione ventricolo peritoneale in età pediatrica.

135 non tumoral hydrocephalic children have been operated on trough a V-P shunt in the period January 1975-June 1981. Of them, 10 (7.4%) presented an inguinal hernia or hydrocele in the postoperative period. Such complications required in 9 cases a specific surgical treatment, which was not followed by recurrence in any case; in one child the hydrocele subsided spontaneously. No relation was found with the type of shunt device inserted and the side of the operation.

[The efficacy of surgical treatment of hypospadias: analysis of hospital data from Lazio region during the three year period (1996-8)]. / Efficacia del trattamento chirurgico per ipospadia: analisi dei dati delle dimissioni ospedaliere nel triennio 1996-98 nella Regione Lazio.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to assess effectiveness of surgical treatment for hypospadia in the Regione Lazio (Italy). Hospital discharge data concerning surgical repair of hypospadia between 1996-1998 were analysed in order to: 1. estimate the trend of demand for hypospadia treatment; 2. correlate clinical results with the type of Surgical Unit of admission (general pediatric, urological, plastic); 3. correlate surgical results with the workload of the Unit; 4. quantify the general risk of a secondary treatment. METHODS: The source of data was the Hospital Information System of the Regione Lazio. Cases have been grouped according to Health District, age at first operation, interval to re-hospitalization after the first treatment for hypospadia. RESULTS: Age at first operation progressively declined in the last years. The annual risk of readmission and reoperation after the first surgical treatment, calculated on a group of 521 cases in 1996, are respectively 6.6% and 5%. CONCLUSIONS: The demand for hypospadia surgery in children was, as expected, stable in the time. However, a tendency to an earlier correction has been observed, mainly in the first and second year of life. Nearly all (99%) of the surgery for hypospadia in the Regione Lazio is performed in four hospitals; one of them accounts for three quarters of the workload. During the observed period a progressive reduction of hospital stay was seen. In the hospital with the best results in term of surgical efficiency, a significant number of patients is treated on a Day Surgery basis. Institutions treating less than 50 cases per year show a significantly high rate of re-hospitalisation within 12 months.

[Influence of the early renal status on natural history of vesico-ureteral reflux diagnosed in the first six month of life]. / Valore predittivo dello stato renale iniziale sulla storia naturale dei reflussi vescicoureterali diagnosticati entro i primi sei mesi di vita.

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasonographic and radionuclide imaging of kidney in presence of major vesicoureteric reflux, diagnosed in the first months of life, reflects a congenital anomaly of development of ureteric bud and metanephric blastema, more than a parenchymal damage secondary to superimposed infections. These lesions are mainly observed in male infants affected by reflux and referred on the basis of a prenatal diagnosis. The impact of therapy on these kidneys is still debated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among 273 pediatric patients with VUR observed between 1991 and 2000, 48 cases have been selected where a reflux grade III or greater had been diagnosed within the first six months of life. Cause of admission was prenatal diagnosis in 29 cases and recurrent infection in 19. Reflux was bilateral in 30 patients. Cases of VUR associated to other urological or neurological anomalies were excluded. A complete ultrasonographic, cystographic and radionuclide study was performed in all patients included in the present study within the fourth month of life. Mean Follow up lasted 17 months. Renal damage was graded by ultrasonography and DMSA renal scan on the basis or of a reduction in total kidney size and a poor radionuclide uptake either of an altered renal profile associated to focal defects of uptake. RESULTS: Resolution of reflux within the mean follow up period, was observed in 16 patients, even with high grade VUR, whenever major renal lesions were absent or focal. When severe renal damage was initially demonstrated the expectancy of reduction or resolution of VUR was significantly reduced and surgical option was considered. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with major VUR diagnosed in the first months of life, early renal status affects prognosis more than the severity of reflux.

[Natural history of prenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis: possible recurrence of dilatation after spontaneous reduction, in cases with pelvic diameter larger than 20 mms, recommends long term follow-up]. / Evoluzione naturale delle idronefrosi a diagnosi prenatale: rischio di ricomparsa, dopo riduzione spontanea, delle dilatazioni con diametro superiore a 20 mm ed indicazioni per un follow-up a lungo termine.

BACKGROUND: Long term follow-up of a prenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis usually extends no longer than the first two years from diagnosis. During this period spontaneous reduction occurs in most of the dilatations, not sustained by obstruction or reflux. Late recurrence of hydronephrosis is considered to be unusual. The aim of the present work has been to verify the risk of recurrent hydronephrosis long time after reduction and to identify factors associated to recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a seven years period (1992-99) 276 patients with hydronephrosis unrelated to Reflux, Duplex kidney, Megaureter of vesical obstruction have been observed. Of these 231 were referred on the basis of a prenatal diagnosis. Hydronephrosis of grade III or more was recorded in 73/231 with a pelvic diameter > or = 15 mm at ultrasonography (US) and a normal counter lateral kidney. Surgical treatment was planned in 39 cases on the basis of a separate function < 40%, either deterioration during follow-up or occurrence of clinical symptoms. Thirty four cases were treated conservatively and four were lost at follow. Of the remaining 30 cases, 14 had a pelvic diameter lager than 20 mm. They were all followed for a mean of 16,6 months (range 7-26) and spontaneous significant reduction of pelvic dilatation was recorded in all of them. RESULTS: Patients were recalled after a mean of 32,1 months from the last US. In 3 cases, of 14 with a pelvic diameter > 20 mm a recurrent severe hydronephrosis was found respectively at 39,56 and 68 months. In two of them, isotopic scan documented a reduced separate function. The third case reported recurrent symptoms. A pyeloplasty was performed in all the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous reduction in most of the prenatally detected cases of neonatal hydronephrosis within the first two months of life make follow-up beyond this term controversial, whenever complete disappearance of pelvic dilatation has been documented. The Authors report three cases with severe hydronephrosis (pelvic diameter > 20 mm) among a group of patients treated conservatively. Long time after spontaneous reduction recurrent hydronephrosis was documented in all of them by a new US, associated with deterioration of separate function and symptoms. Long term follow-up is recommendable in major cases of prenatally detected hydronephrosis cases, even after reduction, to warrant from recurrence and renal damage.

[Natural history of fetal uropathies. Experience in 40 cases]. / L'evoluzione naturale delle uropatie fetali. Esperienza su 40 casi.

Appropriate management of fetal uropathies depends on accuracy in assessing the severity of urinary tract obstruction and renal damage, and in predicting the potential for recovery after surgical correction. A review of 40 fetuses aged between 20 an 39 weeks referred to us for prenatal counseling for a suspected anomaly of the urinary tract, has been made. Reliability of our diagnostic resources has been retrospectively evaluated on the basis of clinical, ultrasonographic and radiological postnatal data. Conservative approach has been adopted in all our cases. None intrauterine surgery was attempted; pre term delivery was advised only in two cases. Our results confirm poor prognosis of fetuses with marked decrease of amniotic fluid within the 24th week of gestational age. After this date the amount of amniotic fluid alone may not be a completely reliable prognostic factor. Ultrasonographic aspect of fetal kidneys and, in some occasions, chemical analysis of fetal urines may accomplish our prenatal study and help to predict the degree of neonatal renal function and potential of survival.

[Radioisotope study of urinary deformity pathology in childhood]. / Lo studio radioisotopico della patologia malformativa urinaria in età pediatrica.

The role of radionuclide investigation of urinary tract pathology in pediatric patients (computerized radionuclide urography and radionuclide cystogram) is discussed. Advantages of reliable morphological and functional study with a non invasive, low radiation procedure are emphasized.

[Echography in the study of renal pathology in childhood]. / L'ecografia nello studio della patologia renale in età pediatrica.

Results of US study in 30 children with various renal lesions are reported, and compared with clinical and surgical features. Different ultrasonographic aspects are discussed with special interest on cogenital abnormalities. US is proposed as first choice investigation in newborns with antenatal ultrasonographic demonstration of renal lesions and in all patients where a mass of renal origin is suspected. Renal function, nevertheless, must be investigated with radiologic and/or radioisotopic techniques. US have still a large indication in short term follow-up of renal lesions where surgical treatment is not indicated.

[Fetal urinoma caused by pyelo-ureteral obstruction; spontaneous remission]. / Urinoma fetale da stenosi del giunto pielo-ureterale: evoluzione naturale.

With advances in obstetric ultrasound, prenatal observation of the pathogenesis and natural history of obstructive uropathy is possible. The Authors describe the ultrasonographic appearance of a fetal monolateral urinoma associated with a severe hydronephrosis and the progressive reduction of the urinoma during the last weeks of the pregnancy until complete disappearance in the first month of life. Urinoma detected antenatally, with onset very early in gestation, usually is associated with severe urinary tract obstruction, like posterior urethral valves or ureteropelvic junction obstruction and is always associated with a severe impairment of ipsilateral renal function.