Sonographic findings following appendectomy for uncomplicated appendicitis in children.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about 'normal' local sonographic changes occurring in the postoperative period after an uneventful appendectomy. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the local changes on US examination occurring after uneventful open (OA) or laparoscopic (LA) appendectomy in children with normal histology and with nonperforated acute appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: US was prospectively performed in 82 children (54 boys and 28 girls) aged 1-16 years (mean 11.6+/-3.2 years), 3 days following LA (n=51, 62%) or OA (n=31, 38%) for nonperforated appendicitis. Multivariate analysis was performed using stepwise logistic regression, with the following starting variables: surgical technique, gender, pathological finding, appendix location, and histology. RESULTS: Of the 82 patients, 35 (42.7%) had postoperative pathological US findings such as peritoneal fluid, oedematous mesenteric fat and thickening of the bowel wall. While the overall incidence of pathological US findings between OA and LA groups was not significantly different, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that OA is associated with a reduction by a factor of 0.35 in the odds ratio of postoperative pathological US findings (P=0.007). CONCLUSION: Pathological US findings are common in children after appendectomy, particularly after LA. Awareness of these pathological findings might prevent unnecessary postoperative treatment.

Intestinal obstruction in an autistic adolescent.

Bezoars and foreign bodies are frequently encountered in children with psychiatric disorders. Eating disorder (called pica) occurs predominantly in some high-risk patients such as psychiatric and mentally disabled children. Small-bowel obstruction is an uncommon complication of ingested foreign body because the foreign body is able to cross the whole small intestine and be excreted in the feces.We present the case history of an autistic adolescent who was operated on because of bowel obstruction due to an unusual foreign body.

Congenital patent ductus venosus: an association with the hyper IgE syndrome.

We describe an association between congenital patent ductus venosus and hyper immunoglobulin E syndrome in a pair of siblings. The possibility that this is a separate entity or a genetically linked association is discussed.

Neonates with extra-renal pelvis: the first 2 years.

Extra-renal pelvis (ERpel) is a common ultrasonographic finding among neonates who have undergone recurrent ultrasound examinations for a better definition of prenatal renal pelvic dilatation. This study tries to determine whether or not ERpel has important prognostic implications. Seventy-nine neonates (17 female) were examined. All had a diagnosis of prenatal renal pelvis dilatation, which was shown by postnatal ultrasound to be ERpel. Sixty ERpel neonates were examined 1.5 months to 2.5 months after the ultrasound (US) diagnosis by both Tc-99m diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (DPTA) dynamic renal scanning and (99m)Tc-pertechnetate direct cystography. Clinical assessment, urine cultures and renal ultrasound follow-up were maintained for 2 years. The proportion of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in patients with ERpel was compared with that of the total neonatal and infantile population with normal US scans in the region of our hospital. Associated minor congenital malformations were found in 12 of 79 neonates (15.2%). Four had a family history of ERpel. Among 60 neonates who underwent renal scanning, 36 (60%) were found to have urinary retention in the collecting system. Another nine (15%) had vesico-ureteral (VU) reflux, of which seven had urinary retention. Fifteen (25%) showed normal isotope imaging. Urinary tract infection was diagnosed in 16 ERpel neonates in whom only one exhibited VU reflux (grade 2). The incidence of neonatal UTI in the ERpel group was more than that of either neonatal or infantile UTI in those with normal US scans in the local population (20.2% vs 1.2% and 4.3%, respectively). Fifty-three infants completed a 2-year follow-up. Repeat renal ultrasonography indicated that one infant (1.8%) had developed bilateral hydronephrosis, 12 (22.6%) had unchanged findings, 18 (40%) showed an improvement (decrease of ERpel width or resolution in one side) and, in 22 (41.5%) infants, the condition had resolved. No clinical or kidney function deterioration was observed. Seven patients (13.2%) each had one episode of UTI during the 2-year follow-up period; none of them had VU reflux. Neonatal ERpel is more frequent in male infants. It is associated with greater rates of minor congenital malformations, VU reflux and UTI than in the general population of the same ages. The increased UTI incidence is not attributed to VU reflux.

Intussusception in children: can we rely on screening sonography performed by junior residents?

BACKGROUND: Ultrasonography is an important tool in the screening and diagnosis of patients with suspected intussusception. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the accuracy and performance of junior residents and compare it to that of senior residents and staff radiologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1999 and February 2003, 151 patients with suspected intussusception underwent screening US. The mean age of the patients was 13.8 months. Patients were divided into three groups according to examiner: staff radiologist, senior resident or junior resident. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients had both US and air enema. Forty-four patients had a positive US result; 37 (84%) were true positive and 7 (16%) were false positive. Twenty-one patients had a negative US result; 18 (86%) were true negative and 3 (14%) were false negative. Eighty-six patients underwent screening US only and were then kept under observation in the emergency room. They were all diagnosed as having a non-surgical condition. The total accuracy rate was 93%, sensitivity was 84%, specificity was 97%, positive predictive value was 93% and negative predictive value was 94%. Accuracy rate, sensitivity and specificity were 92%, 85% and 98% for staff radiologists, 94%, 75% and 96% for senior residents and 95%, 83% and 97% for junior residents, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Junior residents perform as well as staff radiologists in screening US for suspected intussusception and have gained both the respect and confidence of the paediatricians.

[Reduction of intussusception by air enema in children--experience over a 13-year period].

PURPOSE: Intussusception is a relatively common pediatric emergency. The accepted treatment is closed reduction using barium or air enema and surgery when it has failed. We present our 13-year experience using air enema for treatment of intussusception, emphasizing the reduction with repeated delayed air enema. METHODS: Between February 1990 and December 2002, air enema procedures were performed in pediatric patients in cases with suspected intussusception. Prior to the procedure, all patients were sedated with meperidine hydrochloride (0.5 mg/kg) or morphine (0.1 mg/kg). Before 1993, surgery was performed after the first ineffective attempt of air enema reduction. Since 1993, in the case of failure of the first attempt, two additional trials of air reduction were performed at an interval of 45-60 minutes prior to surgery. RESULTS: A total of 225 air enema procedures were performed in 201 children (129 males, aged 10.4 +/- 9.1 months, range 8-63 months) with suspicion of intussusception. The diagnosis was confirmed in 148 (66%) out of the 225 procedures performed. A successful reduction of intussusception (by one attempt or more) was achieved in 125 (86%) out of the 148 procedures with proved intussusception. Twenty-one (14%) patients were operated on after the failure of closed reduction. Spontaneous reduction was demonstrated under fluoroscopy in two (0.8%) studies. No complications of the air enema were noted. During 1990-1993, a single reduction attempt of the intussusception by air enema was performed. Successful reduction during this period was achieved in 19 (70%) out of 27 patients and 8 (30%) children were operated on. During the period 1993-2002, we used repeated delayed attempts to obtain reduction of intussusception among 174 patients. The success rate was 89% (108 out of 121 patients) and only 13 (11%) children were operated on. CONCLUSION: Air enema is an efficient and safe diagnostic and therapeutic tool for intussusception in the pediatric population.

Nebulized 3% hypertonic saline solution treatment in hospitalized infants with viral bronchiolitis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of inhaled hypertonic saline solution to treat infants hospitalized with viral bronchiolitis. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Fifty-two hospitalized infants (mean +/- SD age, 2.9 +/- 2.1 months) with viral bronchiolitis received either inhalation of epinephrine, 1.5 mg, in 4 mL of 0.9% saline solution (group 1; n = 25) or inhalation of epinephrine, 1.5 mg, in 4 mL of 3% saline solution (group 2; n = 27). This therapy was repeated three times every hospitalization day until discharge. RESULTS: The percentage improvement in the clinical severity scores after inhalation therapy was not significant in group 1 on the first, second, and third days after hospital admission (3.5%, 2%, and 4%, respectively). In group 2, significant improvement was observed on these days (7.3%, 8.9%, and 10%, respectively; p < 0.001). Also, the improvement in clinical severity scores differed significantly on each of these days between the two groups. Using 3% saline solution decreased the hospitalization stay by 25%: from 4 +/- 1.9 days in group 1 to 3 +/- 1.2 days in group 2 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in nonasthmatic, nonseverely ill infants hospitalized with viral bronchiolitis, aerosolized 3% saline solution/1.5 mg epinephrine decreases symptoms and length of hospitalization as compared to 0.9% saline solution/1.5 mg epinephrine.

Nebulized 3% hypertonic saline solution treatment in ambulatory children with viral bronchiolitis decreases symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of inhaled hypertonic saline solution to treat ambulatory infants with viral bronchiolitis. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Sixty-five ambulatory infants (mean +/- SD age, 12.5 +/- 6 months) with viral bronchiolitis received either of the following: inhalation of 0.5 mL (5 mg) terbutaline added to 2 mL of 0.9% saline solution as a wet nebulized aerosol (control; group 1; n = 32) or 0.5 mL (5 mg) terbutaline added to 2 mL of 3% saline solution administered in the same manner as above (treatment; group 2; n = 33). This therapy was repeated three times every day for 5 days. RESULTS: The clinical severity (CS) scores at baseline on the first day of treatment were 6.4 +/- 1.8 in group 1 and 6.6 +/- 1.5 in group 2 (not significant). After the first day, the CS score was significantly lower (better) in group 2 as compared to group 1 on each of the treatment days (p < 0.005; Fig 1 ). On the first day, the percentage decrease in the CS score after inhalation therapy was significantly better for group 2 (33%) than for group 1 (13%) [p < 0.005; Fig 1 ]. On the second day, the percentage improvement was better in the hypertonic saline solution-treated patients (group 2) as compared to the 0.9% saline solution-treated patients (group 1) [p = 0.01; Fig 1 ]. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in nonasthmatic, nonseverely ill ambulatory infants with viral bronchiolitis, aerosolized 3% saline solution plus 5 mg terbutaline is effective in decreasing symptoms as compared to 0.9% saline solution plus 5 mg terbutaline.

The role of unenhanced helical CT in the evaluation of suspected renal colic and atypical abdominal pain in children.

BACKGROUND: Urolithiasis in children has a different pattern of presentation than in adults and its incidence is lower. Unenhanced helical CT (UEHCT) for suspected urinary tract calculi in adults has high sensitivity and specificity for detecting even minute calculi. UEHCT has been proposed as a fast and sensitive method for identifying urinary stones in children. However, to our knowledge, the role of UEHCT and its value in the diagnostic work-up of urinary stones in children has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the significance of UEHCT as a diagnostic tool for urinary stones in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed data on 20 children who underwent UEHCT during 1999-2000. RESULTS: Findings on UEHCT were significant in establishing a diagnosis in only seven patients and only three were shown to have urinary stones. Only one significant finding was found in the group who underwent UEHCT without prior US. US performed prior to UEHCT was a significant screening tool, and when results were equivocal, UEHCT further helped in establishing diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that US be the first imaging modality in children with suspected urolithiasis. When the result of this examination is uncertain or abnormal, UEHCT will probably add further information which will contribute to the diagnosis.