Characterization and quantification of fluid in the abdomen by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in children with clinical suspicion of appendicitis.

PURPOSE: While regarded as a secondary sign of pediatric appendicitis, the frequency of physiologic intra-abdominal fluid in children with suspected but absent appendicitis is unknown. Ex vivo: to assess the validity of US/MRI measurements of free fluid. In vivo: in suspected pediatric appendicitis, to assess the amount of abdominal fluid by US and MRI, determine performance characteristics of US in fluid detection and identify fluid volume ranges in confirmed appendicitis. METHODS: Ex vivo: criterion validity of US and MRI for fluid volume measurements was tested using tissue-mimicking phantoms filled with different volumes of distilled water. In vivo: all participants from a previous prospective study of suspected appendicitis were evaluated by US; MRI was performed after equivocal USs. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of abdominal fluid and correlation of fluid presence with appendicitis were performed. RESULTS: Ex vivo: no difference was found between phantom-fluid amount and measured volume using the formula for volume of an ellipsoid for US (P=0.19) or MRI (P=0.08). In vivo: intra-abdominal fluid was present in 212/591 (35.9%) patients; 75/212 patients with fluid (35.4%) had appendicitis, 60 (28.3%) had alternate diagnoses, and 77 (36.3%) had physiologic fluid. Sensitivity and specificity of US for fluid detection were 84% (95% CI 71-93) and 65% (95% CI 52-77), respectively. In children with versus without appendicitis, the respective ranges of fluid volume were 0.7-1148.8 ml and 0.8-318 ml. CONCLUSION: The volume of an ellipsoid formula is a valid method for quantifying intra-abdominal fluid. The sole presence of intra-abdominal fluid on US does not support the diagnosis of pediatric appendicitis.

Tomografía computada en pacientes con conexión venosa pulmonar anómala, Hospital del Niño

Introducción: La conexión venosa pulmonar anómala total (CVPAT) es un defecto relativamente poco frecuente, con una prevalencia de 0.8 por cada 10 000 nacimientos vivos, mientras que la forma parcial, tiene una mayor prevalencia, que oscila entre un 0.4 y 0.7% de la población. En Panamá, la CVPAT representa un 9% de los nacimientos con defectos cardíacos. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar las características por tomografía computada de los niños con este diagnóstico que fueron atendidos entre los años 2010 y 2020 en el Hospital del Niño Dr. José Renán Esquivel. Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, de corte transversal en la población sometida a tomografía computarizada por cardiopatía congénita en el Hospital del Niño Dr. José Renán Esquivel de la Ciudad de Panamá, en el período comprendido entre enero de 2010 y diciembre de 2020. Se realizaron 615 tomografías computarizadas por malformación cardíaca. De estas, 51 tenían diagnóstico de conexión venosa pulmonar anómala (CVPA) Resultados: Se encontró un predominio de esta patología en el sexo masculino (57.5%). Un 76.2% de los pacientes cursaban con otra malformación cardíaca asociada, siendo la comunicación interauricular (CIA) la más frecuente (54.5%). Los tipos más frecuentes fueron el supracardíaco (50.0%) y el infracardíaco (28.5%). Conclusión: La tomografía computada con contraste endovenoso es un método útil, que permite evaluar con detalle la anatomía cardíaca y de los grandes vasos en pacientes con malformaciones cardíacas y que además brinda información valiosa sobre otras patologías asociadas. (provisto por Infomedic International)

Introduction: Total anomalous pulmonary venous anomalous connection (TAPVC) is a relatively rare defect, with a prevalence of 0.8 per 10 000 live births, while the partial form, has a higher prevalence, ranging from 0.4 to 0.7% of the population. In Panama, TAPVC accounts for 9% of births with cardiac defects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the computed tomography characteristics of children with this diagnosis who were attended between 2010 and 2020 at the Hospital del Niño Dr. José Renán Esquivel. Methods: A descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted in the population undergoing computed tomography for congenital heart disease at the Hospital del Niño Dr. José Renán Esquivel in Panama City, Panama, between January 2010 and December 2020. A total of 615 CT scans were performed for cardiac malformation. Of these, 51 had a diagnosis of anomalous pulmonary venous connection (APVC). Results: A predominance of this pathology was found in the male sex (57.5%). Some 76.2% of the patients had another associated cardiac malformation, with atrial septal defect (ASD) being the most frequent (54.5%). The most frequent types were supracardiac (50.0%) and infracardiac (28.5%). Conclusion: Computed tomography with intravenous contrast is a useful method that allows detailed evaluation of cardiac and great vessels anatomy in patients with cardiac malformations and provides valuable information on other associated pathologies. (provided by Infomedic International)