Routine Elective Gastrojejunostomy Tube Changes Are Associated With Reduced Tube Complications and Radiation Exposure.

Gastrojejunostomy tubes (GJTs) can be a long-term solution for patients with intragastric feeding intolerance. Our retrospective study of 101 patients correlates the frequency of routine and urgent GJT changes, as well as complications and radiation exposure. Over a 2.75-year median duration, 60%, 33%, and 28% of patients had >1 episodes of a tube dislodgement/malpositioning, blockage, or leakage, respectively. Aspiration pneumonia hospital admission was required for 23% of patients. Patients with <1 routine tube change/year had more urgent changes/year (3.0) compared to patients with 1-2 (1.2) or >2 (0.8) routine yearly change. These patients required more frequent sedation for tube placement (21% vs 4.7%, P = 0.03) and experienced greater annual radiation exposure (9599 vs 304.5 and 69.1 µGym 2 , P = 0.01 and 0.008, respectively). Overall, aiming for a routine tube change at least every 6-12 months is associated with fewer urgent changes and complications as well as reduced radiation exposure and sedation requirements.

An unusual case of obstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous return with gastric varices.

Total anomalous pulmonary venous return with obstruction to the venous pathway is a life-threatening emergency. We report a neonate with unusual infradiaphragmatic drainage into the ductus venosus and gastric veins. Neonatal gastric varices with obstructed pulmonary venous return are extremely rare with potential for catastrophic gastrointestinal haemorrhage. The complex anatomy first detected by echocardiography was clarified on CT.

Effect of saroglitazar 2 mg and 4 mg on glycemic control, lipid profile and cardiovascular disease risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a 56-week, randomized, double blind, phase 3 study (PRESS XII study).

BACKGROUND: The potential for PPAR agonists to positively affect risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is of persistent attention. The PRESS XII study primarily aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of saroglitazar (2 mg and 4 mg) as compared to pioglitazone 30 mg on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: In this randomized double-blind study, patients with T2DM [glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 7.5%] were enrolled from 39 sites in India. Patients received once-daily doses of either saroglitazar or pioglitazone (1:1:1 allocation ratio) for a total of 24 weeks. Patients were continued in a double blind extension period for an additional 32 weeks. Efficacy evaluations of glycemic parameters [HbA1c (Primary endpoint at week 24), FPG and PPG] and other lipid parameters (TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C, HDL-C, TC, Non HDL-C, Apo A1 and Apo B) were conducted at week 12, 24 and 56 and compared to the baseline levels. The efficacy analyses were performed by using paired t-test and ANCOVA model. RESULTS: A total of 1155 patients were enrolled in this study. The baseline characteristics were similar between the three treatment groups. The within group mean (± SD) change in HbA1c (%) from baseline of the saroglitazar (2 mg and 4 mg) and pioglitazone treatment groups at week 24 were: - 1.38 ± 1.99 for saroglitazar 2 mg; - 1.47 ± 1.92 for saroglitazar 4 mg and - 1.41 ± 1.86 for pioglitazone, respectively. Statistically significant reduction from baseline in HbA1c was observed in each treatment group at week 24 with p-value < 0.016. There was a significant reduction in TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C, TC and Non HDL-C with a significant increase in HDL-C from baseline levels (< 0.016). Most of the AE's were 'mild' to 'moderate' in severity and were resolved by the completion of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Saroglitazar effectively improved glycemic control and lipid parameters over 56 weeks in patients of T2DM receiving background metformin therapy and has a promising potential to reduce the cardiovascular risk in T2DM patients. Trial registration CTRI/2015/09/006203, dated 22/09/2015.

Circumflex retroesophageal aorta mimicking aortic interruption: a rare cause of aortic obstruction in a neonate.

Critical obstruction of the aorta presenting in the neonate typically occurs with aortic interruption or coarctation, following ductus arteriosus closure. Circumflex retroesophageal aortic arch is a rare aortic arch anomaly in which a right aortic arch continues as a retroesophageal component and descends on the left of the spine. Obstruction within the arch can occur, usually identified incidentally in older children. We report a neonate with circumflex aorta with ventricular septal defect in which there was hypoplasia of the retroesophageal segment. The patient presented with cardiovascular collapse following duct closure mimicking aortic interruption. The case is presented, together with the surgical repair.

Diagnostic and predictive value of ultrasound and isotope thyroid scanning, alone and in combination, in infants referred with thyroid-stimulating hormone elevation on newborn screening.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic and predictive value of ultrasound and radioisotope scans of the thyroid, alone and in combination, during a single visit after initial referral by the screening laboratory with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) elevation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective blind review of ultrasound and radioisotope images followed by final diagnosis based on clinical features, biochemistry, imaging, and molecular genetic study. RESULTS: Infants (n = 97; 61 female) with median birthweight 3.38 kg (range 2.04-4.86) and gestation 40 weeks (range 33-42), underwent successful dual thyroid ultrasound and technetium-99m pertechnetate radioisotope scan in a single center. Combined scanning at the initial visit resulted in a correct final diagnosis in 79 of 97 (81%) cases. One patient was misdiagnosed initially as having athyreosis as the result of delayed radioisotope scan and the diagnosis of ectopia made later on diagnostic challenge. The specificity/sensitivity for radioisotope scan and for ultrasound was as follows: 100%/97% and 100%/55% for ectopia (n = 39); 81%/100% and 54%/100% for athyreosis (n = 18); and 89%/90% and 80%/95% for dyshormonogenesis (n = 20). Neither modality, alone or in combination, predicted final diagnosis in eutopic glands due to hypoplasia (n = 4), transient TSH elevation (n = 12), and status still uncertain (n = 4). CONCLUSION: More than 80% of newborn infants with TSH elevation can be diagnosed correctly on initial imaging with combined radioisotope scan and ultrasound. Ultrasound cannot reliably detect thyroid ectopia. Radioisotope scan, especially if performed late, may show no uptake despite the presence of a eutopic gland.

Guideline on the investigation, management and prevention of venous thrombosis in children.

Venous thrombo-embolism (VTE) is increasingly recognized in paediatric practice. Few clinical trials have been performed in this area in children and management is largely extrapolated from adult practice where there is a considerable evidence base. This is likely to be unsatisfactory for a number of reasons. Firstly, there are significant differences in epidemiology and potential differences in the mechanisms for VTE in this age group. Secondly, many aspects of haemostasis are age-dependant, which has implications for the use of anticoagulants in the paediatric population. Thirdly, there are very limited data available on the safety and efficacy of anticoagulants to manage specific indications in paediatric practice, often with limited paediatric formulations available. In addition, children may survive for a prolonged period following these events so that long-term consequences may be highly significant in this age group. The aim of this guideline is to provide a rational basis for the investigation and management of children aged 1 month-16 years with VTE, including cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). The guideline is targeted at healthcare professionals involved in the management of children and adolescents with VTE, particularly paediatric haematologists.

Heterogeneous tissue in the thyroid fossa on ultrasound in infants with proven thyroid ectopia on isotope scan--a diagnostic trap.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid imaging is of proven help in establishing a diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism in infants. US often shows tissue in the thyroid fossa when radionuclide scintigraphy reveals only ectopic uptake. OBJECTIVE: Our hypothesis was that the use of US alone could lead to the mistaken diagnosis of normal or dysplastic thyroid in cases of scintigraphy-proven thyroid ectopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We undertook a detailed retrospective review and analysis of imaging and concurrent biochemistry in infants with thyroid ectopia, confirmed by radionuclide scintigraphy. RESULTS: Eighteen infants had thyroid ectopia; ten of the original US reports had suggested that cervical thyroid tissue was present. Review showed bilateral tissue in the thyroid fossa in all that was non-thyroidal in nature since, apart from showing no radionuclide uptake, it exhibited some or all of the following typical features: hyperechogenicity, heterogeneity, small size, poor vascularity, and anechoic and/or hypoechoic cysts. Also, extension of the tissue both around and behind the large cervical blood vessels was a universal finding. CONCLUSION: Considerable experience is required to interpret neonatal thyroid US. We caution against diagnosing a dysplastic/hypoplastic thyroid gland in situ on the basis of US alone, particularly if the tissue exhibits any of the non-thyroidal features described.

Double aortic arch with dominant left arch and right ligamentum arteriosum.

This case report describes a rare example of double aortic arch with a dominant left aortic arch, patent minor right aortic arch, left descending aorta, and right ligamentum arteriosum causing tracheobronchial compression in a twin baby girl with DiGeorge syndrome. She also had large right subclavian artery arising from right-sided diverticulum of Kommerell, aplastic thymus, T cell lymphopenia with normal immunoglobulin, hypocalcemia, and hypomagnesemia. The diverticulum of Kommerell was resected and minor right aortic arch, right ligamentum arteriosum, and right subclavian artery were divided through right posterolateral thoracotomy. Aortopexy was performed under bronchoscopic guidance to relieve the airway compression. We strongly suggest a right-sided approach in this type of vascular arrangement for easy access and better outcome.

Image-guided drainage of multiple intraabdominal abscesses in children with perforated appendicitis: an alternative to laparotomy.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is the most common cause of an acute abdomen in children. With perforation, multiple intraperitoneal collections can be seen at presentation. In this situation, surgical treatment alone is rarely effective. OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of image-guided drainage in treating patients with acute appendicitis complicated by multiple intraabdominal collections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patient charts and interventional radiology records was performed to identify all patients with acute complicated appendicitis treated by multiple image-guided drainage procedures. Data reviewed included the number of drainages and aspirations performed, drain dwell time, the clinical course and temperature profile, and the length of inpatient hospital stay and any complications experienced. RESULTS: The study population comprised 42 children with a mean age of 107.6 months. A total of 100 drainage catheters were inserted and 56 aspirations were performed. Of the 42 children, 24 were successfully treated at a single sitting, while 18 returned for further intervention. The mean drain dwell time was 8.18 days. The mean inpatient stay was 15.02 days. Treatment of the acute presentation with image-guided intervention was successful in 92.3% of children. CONCLUSION: Successful management of acute perforated appendicitis with multiple intraabdominal abscesses can be achieved with multiple minimally invasive image-guided drainage procedures.

Ocular biometry in preterm infants: implications for estimation of retinal illuminance.

PURPOSE: Retinal illuminance varies with stimulus luminance, pupil size, eye size, and transmissivity of the ocular media. There are few published data to inform estimates of retinal illuminance in early infancy, and no concurrent studies of pupil size and ocular length have been described. The goals were to document simultaneously the measured ocular parameters in growing preterm infants and to estimate the potential errors associated with using either stimulus luminance or troland value as a proxy for retinal illuminance in this population. METHODS: Ocular biometry including diameters of the eye, vitreous chamber depth (VCD) and dilated pupil diameter was performed on 111 occasions in 33 preterm infants aged between 30 and 55 weeks' postmenstrual age. RESULTS: Eye size increased rapidly between 30 and 55 postmenstrual weeks and was comparable to that of term-born infants. The ratio of dilated pupil area to VCD(2) was highly variable. Retinal illuminance of the infant eye compared with adult eyes was underestimated by both stimulus luminance and troland values. CONCLUSIONS: Stimulus luminance and troland values cannot be used to infer retinal illuminance when comparing eyes of markedly differing sizes or transmissivities. Error in estimating retinal illuminance in prematurely born infants is inevitable because of uncertainty regarding media transmissivity, but this discrepancy can be minimized by using directly measured pupil diameter and data presented herein for eye size in this population.