Ultrasound-Assisted Lumbar Puncture in Pediatric Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar puncture (LP) is one of the essential diagnostic tools in pediatric emergency services. Recently, ultrasound-assisted LP was reported to be beneficial in the emergency service by facilitating the procedure and improving the successful procedure rates. In addition, this method may be effective in reducing patient and parent anxiety due to the LP procedure. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ultrasound-assisted LP on the outcomes of puncture procedures and traumatic LP. METHODS: The study included patients younger than 18 years, who were admitted to the pediatric emergency service and underwent LP because of suspected central nervous system infection. The patients requiring LP were randomly divided into 2 groups designated as odd and even. One group received LP using the conventional method, whereas the other group had LP after spinal space measurement by ultrasound. The patients who did and who did not undergo ultrasound-assisted LP were compared for demographics, number of puncture attempts, and traumatic LP. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and the Student t test. The χ test was used when nominal data were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Ultrasound-assisted LP was performed in 56 patients, and LP by using conventional method was performed in 55 patients. There was traumatic LP in 5 (8.9%) of the patients who underwent ultrasound-assisted LP and 9 (16.3%) of the patients who underwent LP using the conventional method (P > 0.05). The number of puncture attempts was 2 or more in 2 (3.5%) of the patients who underwent ultrasound-assisted LP and 5 (9%) of the patients who had LP using the conventional method (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-assisted LP reduced traumatic LP and the number of puncture attempts in pediatric patients; however, the results were not statistically significant.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura complicated by acalculous cholecystitis and intussusception, and following recurrence with appendicitis.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is the most common childhood systemic vasculitis. Gastro-intestinal involvement occurs in two-thirds of patients. The characteristic skin lesions generally precede abdominal symptoms or present concurrently. A 7-year-old boy presented with intussusception and acalculous cholecystitis and had a cholecystectomy. Two weeks later he was re-admitted with features typical of HSP which responded to corticosteroids. Eleven months later he presented with abdominal pain and recurrence of HSP and, at laparotomy, there was acute appendicitis. This is the first case of a child presenting with HSP complicated by acalculous cholecystitis.

Datura stramonium poisoning in a child.

Hallucinogenic plant poisoning in children is a significant problem for the emergency physician. We describe the case of a boy who had slurred speech, fever, hallucinations, tachycardia, dilated pupils, confusion and disorientation. He had no history of drug use or toxin intake. All signs and symptoms were improved by supportive therapy within 48 hours. It turned out that the patient had ingested seeds of Datura stramonium in a neighbor's garden two days previously. The medical history should be taken repeatedly in cases of unknown etiology, and physicians should keep in mind the possibility that unexplained anticholinergic toxidromes could be the result of exposure to toxic plants, in particular those containing atropine and atropine derivates.