Complete agenesis of the soft palate.

This report documents the physical characteristics and treatment of a patient with the extremely rare finding of complete agenesis of the soft palate. The posterior hard palate cleft and soft palate agenesis were treated with a palatal pushback procedure.

Risk factors for early infection of central venous catheters in pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: In an effort to avoid infections that can lead to the premature removal of indwelling central venous catheters (CVCs), the surgical technique and host factors present in pediatric recipients of permanent CVCs were reviewed. STUDY DESIGN: All patients receiving CVCs over a 17-month period were identified. Those patients with fever and positive blood cultures drawn through the CVC within 45 days of line placement were labeled as having early infection. A case-control design was used to select two control patients for each infected patient. Charts from both the infection and control groups were reviewed for several factors present at the time of CVC placement, including fever, neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count [ANC] < 500 and ANC < 1,000), use of perioperative antibiotics, diagnosis, CVC site, and type of CVC. Chi-square test with Yates correction was used to compare the groups. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were derived. RESULTS: Among the 473 CVCs placed, early infections developed in 53 patients (12%). The control group consisted of 106 patients. Neutropenia was present in 16 of 53 infected patients versus 8 of 106 controls (p = 0.004, OR = 5.30). Perioperative antibiotics were given to 25 of 53 infected patients versus 72 of 106 controls (p = 0.02, OR = 0.42). Fever was present in 12 of 53 infected patients versus 14 of 106 controls (p = 0.19, OR = 1.92). Factors that were equally prevalent between the groups and that did not appear to influence the CVC infection rate included a diagnosis of malignancy, CVC type, and site of placement. Of the 53 infected catheters, 16 (30%) could not be cleared of infection and were removed. CONCLUSIONS: This study documents that neutropenia and failure to administer prophylactic antibiotics are risk factors for the development of early CVC infection in pediatric patients. To avoid early infection and possible premature CVC removal, we recommend that placement of permanent CVCs be postponed until the ANC is > 1,000. Perioperative antibiotics should be given. A trend toward higher infection rates was seen in patients with preoperative fever.

The faecal flora of two patients with food-related irritable bowel syndrome during challenge with symptom-provoking foods.

The faecal microbial flora of two patients with food-related irritable bowel syndrome was examined while they were on a diet excluding symptom-provoking foods, and then on a diet including such a food. The patients reacted differently to the challenge diet but some changes in faecal output, flora and short chain fatty acid content were seen.

Comparison of total parenteral nutrition and elemental diet in induction of remission of Crohn's disease. Long-term maintenance of remission by personalized food exclusion diets.

Total parenteral nutrition or elemental diet can be used to induce remission of Crohn's disease. A randomized study has been conducted of 36 patients to assess the relative efficacy of the two techniques used without pharmacologic support; both were successful, and no significant differences emerged in the number of days to remission or the mean changes in Crohn's disease activity index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or serum albumin. The elemental diet is cheaper, simpler and safer. Uncontrolled clinical experience with 77 patients showed that personalized food exclusion diets were associated with an average annual relapse rate of only 11% for the first five years of diet alone; there have been six pregnancies and the longest remission is now 75 months. The use of elemental diet followed by the development of a personal food exclusion diet appears to be an effective long-term therapeutic strategy for Crohn's disease.

Spontaneous rupture of pyometra due to leiomyomata. A case report.

Pyometra, an accumulation of purulent material in the uterus, is a rare pathologic entity. Spontaneous rupture of pyometra occurred secondary to degenerating leiomyomata; that is an extremely rare complication. Pyometra, the diagnosis of which is based on the classic symptoms of uterine enlargement, vaginal discharge and acute abdomen, requires rapid supportive therapy and surgical intervention.

Deposition of dairy protein-containing fluids on heat exchange surfaces.

The deposition behavior of milk and dairy protein model systems under turbulent flow conditions (Re > 66,700) was observed in the heating sections of a tubular ultra-high temperature processing unit. This phenomenon was monitored via thermal resistance of the deposit in four segments in each of two shell-and-tube heat exchangers. Model systems were comprised of mixtures of sodium caseinate, whey proteins, salts, lactose, and fat. Fouling rates varied with type of milk protein, heater wall temperature, and location in the heat exchangers. The relationship between deposition rate in the heat exchanger and protein denaturation kinetics was also examined.