Use of greyscale and Doppler ultrasound in initial evaluation and follow-up of neurovascular malformations in children.

Pediatric intracranial arteriovenous shunts are rare vascular malformations that can be diagnosed prenatally or postnatally, as an incidental finding or due to complications. We propose a review of cerebral vascular malformations in newborns and infants with special emphasis on neurosonography and Doppler ultrasound as the first diagnostic method. Sonography can thus contribute in the planning of further studies that are always necessary, and in post-therapy follow-up.

Ultrasound attenuation imaging: a reproducible alternative for the noninvasive quantitative assessment of hepatic steatosis in children.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric hepatic steatosis is a global public health concern, as an increasing number of children are affected by this condition. Liver biopsy is the gold standard diagnostic method; however, this procedure is invasive. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived proton density fat fraction has been accepted as an alternative to biopsy. However, this method is limited by cost and availability. Ultrasound (US) attenuation imaging is an upcoming tool for noninvasive quantitative assessment of hepatic steatosis in children. A limited number of publications have focused on US attenuation imaging and the stages of hepatic steatosis in children. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the usefulness of ultrasound attenuation imaging for the diagnosis and quantification of hepatic steatosis in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between July and November 2021, 174 patients were included and divided into two groups: group 1, patients with risk factors for steatosis (n = 147), and group 2, patients without risk factors for steatosis (n = 27). In all cases, age, sex, weight, body mass index (BMI), and BMI percentile were determined. B-mode US (two observers) and US attenuation imaging with attenuation coefficient acquisition (two independent sessions, two different observers) were performed in both groups. Steatosis was classified into four grades (0: absent, 1: mild, 2: moderate and 3: severe) using B-mode US. Attenuation coefficient acquisition was correlated with steatosis score according to Spearman's correlation. Attenuation coefficient acquisition measurements' interobserver agreement was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). RESULTS: All attenuation coefficient acquisition measurements were satisfactory without technical failures. The median values for group 1 for the first session were 0.64 (0.57-0.69) dB/cm/MHz and 0.64 (0.60-0.70) dB/cm/MHz for the second session. The median values for group 2 for the first session were 0.54 (0.51-0.56) dB/cm/MHz and 0.54 (0.51-0.56) dB/cm/MHz for the second. The average attenuation coefficient acquisition was 0.65 (0.59-0.69) dB/cm/MHz for group 1 and 0.54 (0.52-0.56) dB/cm/MHz for group 2. There was excellent interobserver agreement at 0.94 (95% CI 0.92-0.96). There was substantial agreement between both observers (κ = 0.77, with a P < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between ultrasound attenuation imaging and B-mode scores for both observers (r = 0.87, P < 0.001 for observer 1; r = 0.86, P < 0.001 for observer 2). Attenuation coefficient acquisition median values were significantly different for each steatosis grade (P < 0.001). In the assessment of steatosis by B-mode US, the agreement between the two observers was moderate (κ = 0.49 and κ = 0.55, respectively, with a P < 0.001 in both cases). CONCLUSION: US attenuation imaging is a promising tool for the diagnosis and follow-up of pediatric steatosis, which provides a more repeatable form of classification, especially at low levels of steatosis detectable in B-mode US.

Desmoid-type fibromatosis in children. Clinical features, treatment response, and long-term follow-up

Desmoid-type fibromatosis (DF) is a tumor with high local recurrence rate. Sixteen patients (18 desmoid tumors) were retrospectively evaluated. Initial surgery was performed in 13/18 tumors, with complete resection in 6 (one with free margin and five with microscopic residual disease); 10/13 had local relapse. Eleven patients with 13 tumors underwent treatment with methotrexate-vinblastine. The response rate to chemotherapy was 54%, and up to 81% if stable disease cases were included. The best response was partial remission. Only 2 had grade 4 toxicity. Twelve of 15 patients had sequelae. In 8 cases sequelae were directly related to the surgical intervention and 3 of them were severe. The 5-year progression-free survival and overall survival were 30% and 93.3%, respectively. DF has a high local relapse rate, regardless of surgical margin involvement. Low dose chemotherapy achieved stable disease and even remission of the lesions with low toxicity. The high rate of sequelae is probably related to the initial surgery performed in the majority of patients and may be avoided by the use of neoadjuvant low dose chemotherapy.

La fibromatosis tipo desmoide (FD) es un tumor con alta tasa de recurrencia local. Dieciséis pacientes (18 tumores desmoides) fueron evaluados retrospectivamente. La cirugía inicial se realizó en 13/18 tumores, con resección completa en 6 (uno con margen libr e y cinco con margen microscópicamente comprometido); 10/13 tuvieron recaída local. Once pacientes con 13 tumores recibieron tratamiento con metotrexato/ vinblastina. La tasa de respuesta a la quimioterapia fue del 54% y de hasta el 81% si se incluyen los casos que lograron enfermedad estable. La mejor respuesta fue remisión parcial. Solo 2 tuvieron toxicidad grado 4. Doce de 15 pacientes tuvieron secuelas. En 8 casos, las secuelas estuvieron directamente relacionadas con la intervención quirúrgica y 3 de ellas fueron graves. La sobrevida libre de progresión a 5 años y la supervivencia global fueron del 30% y del 93.3%, respectivamente. La FD tiene una alta tasa de recaída local, independientemente del margen quirúrgico. Dosis bajas de quimioterapia lograron una enfermedad estable e incluso la remisión de las lesiones, con baja toxicidad. La alta tasa de secuelas probablemente esté relacionada con la cirugía inicial realizada en la mayoría de los pacientes y podría evitarse mediante el uso de quimioterapia neoadyuvante en dosis bajas, como sugieren las estrategias actuales de tratamiento.

Desmoid-type fibromatosis in children. Clinical features, treatment response, and long-term follow-up / Fibromatosis tipo desmoide en niños. Características, respuesta al tratamiento y seguimiento a largo plazo

Abstract Desmoid-type fibromatosis (DF) is a tumor with high local recurrence rate. Sixteen patients (18 desmoid tumors) were retrospectively evaluated. Initial surgery was performed in 13/18 tumors, with complete resection in 6 (one with free margin and five with microscopic residual disease); 10/13 had local relapse. Eleven patients with 13 tumors underwent treatment with methotrexate-vinblastine. The response rate to chemotherapy was 54%, and up to 81% if stable disease cases were included. The best response was partial remission. Only 2 had grade 4 toxicity. Twelve of 15 patients had sequelae. In 8 cases sequelae were directly related to the surgical intervention and 3 of them were severe. The 5-year progression-free survival and overall survival were 30% and 93.3%, respectively. DF has a high local relapse rate, regardless of surgical margin involvement. Low dose chemotherapy achieved stable disease and even remission of the lesions with low toxicity. The high rate of sequelae is probably related to the initial surgery performed in the majority of patients and may be avoided by the use of neoadjuvant low dose chemotherapy.

Resumen La fibromatosis tipo desmoide (FD) es un tumor con alta tasa de recurrencia local. Dieciséis pacientes (18 tumores desmoides) fueron evaluados retrospectivamente. La cirugía inicial se realizó en 13/18 tumores, con resección completa en 6 (uno con margen libre y cinco con margen microscópicamente comprometido); 10/13 tuvieron recaída local. Once pacientes con 13 tumores recibieron tratamiento con metotrexato/vinblastina. La tasa de respuesta a la quimioterapia fue del 54% y de hasta el 81% si se incluyen los casos que lograron enfermedad estable. La mejor respuesta fue remisión parcial. Solo 2 tuvieron toxicidad grado 4. Doce de 15 pacientes tuvieron secuelas. En 8 casos, las secuelas estuvieron directamente relacionadas con la intervención quirúrgica y 3 de ellas fueron graves. La sobrevida libre de progresión a 5 años y la supervivencia global fueron del 30% y del 93.3%, respectivamente. La FD tiene una alta tasa de recaída local, independientemente del margen quirúrgico. Dosis bajas de quimioterapia lograron una enfermedad estable e incluso la remisión de las lesiones, con baja toxicidad. La alta tasa de secuelas probablemente esté relacionada con la cirugía inicial realizada en la mayoría de los pacientes y podría evitarse mediante el uso de quimioterapia neoadyuvante en dosis bajas, como sugieren las estrategias actuales de tratamiento.

Granulocytic sarcoma of the urinary bladder in a pediatric patient.

Granulocytic sarcoma (GS) is a rare tumor consisting of immature cells of granulocytic lineage. It is also called chloroma, referring to the green color of the tumor caused by high levels of myeloperoxidase in the cells. GS is often associated with acute myeloblastic leukemia. We report the case of a 4-year-old boy with a diagnosis of acute myeloblastic leukemia. Abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated a solid, vascularized, heterogeneous, polypoid formation involving the posterior wall of the bladder. Further studies confirmed the etiology of the tumor. On control ultrasonography, a marked decrease in tumor size 15 days after treatment was revealed. We describe the imaging findings in this patient and review the literature about this infrequent entity. Although imaging findings are not specific and considering that extramedullary involvement in leukemia is very sensitive to treatment, inclusion of GS in the differential diagnosis and awareness of the possible sites of occurrence and imaging features is essential to avoid unnecessary therapeutic measures.

Haga su diagnóstico / Make your diagnosis

El diagnóstico es Diastematomielia.

Haga su diagnóstico / Make your diagnosis

El diagnóstico es Diastematomielia

Conocimiento, actitudes y prácticas de los pediatras argentinos respecto de la exposición infantil al humo de tabaco ajeno / Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Argentine pediatricians regarding second hand smoke exposure in children

Introducción. La exposición al humo de tabaco ajeno (HTA) es un grave problema de salud pública en la Argentina. Se estima que alrededor del 55% de los niños y adolescentes argentinos convive con un fumador. Diversos estudios muestran que lograr que padres y convivientes no fumen en el hogar ni en el auto disminuye ampliamente la exposición al humo y sus consecuencias. Objetivo. Establecer los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de los pediatras argentinos respecto de la exposición de los niños al humo de tabaco ajeno. Material y método. Se encuestó una muestra nacional de pediatras argentinos participantes del Programa Nacional de Actualización Pediátrica de la Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría, a través de un cuestionario enviado por correo electrónico. Resultados. El 74% de los 1126 pediatras que respondieron la encuesta, pregunta siempre por la exposición al humo de tabaco durante la consulta, el 50% lo registra en la historia clínica, 93% dice aconsejar a los padres para que no fumen en el hogar, 64% motiva a los padres para que dejen de fumar y 49% brinda material informativo sobre el tema. Se observa que el grado de conocimiento sobre las patologías más asociadas con la exposición al HTA es aceptable. Casi todos los pediatras consideran el tema como de importancia para la salud pública y para la salud de los niños. Conclusiones. Los resultados de esta encuesta muestran que es necesario mejorar la capacitación de los pediatras y estandarizar la discusión y el tratamiento de este tema durante la consulta.

Introduction. Passive smoking is a main public health problem in Argentina. It is estimated that about 55% of children live with a smoker at home. Several reports show that when parents and providers refrain from smoking at home and in the car, environmental tobacco exposure (ETS) and its health consequences decrease. Objective. To assess pediatricians’ knowledge,beliefs and practices regarding passive smoking and its prevention. Methodology. We surveyed a national sample of pediatricians, who participated in the National Pediatric Continuous Education Program(PRONAP) of the Argentine Pediatric Society, via e-mail. Results. Overall, 74% of the pediatricians that answeredthe questionnaire said that they alwaysasked about ETS exposure during the pediatric visit, 50% writes that on the children’s chart, 93% advises parents not to smoke at home, 64% motivatesparents to quit smoking and 49% provides information materials about the topic. Overall, their knowledge about the diseases most associated with ETS is appropriate. Almost all pediatricians believe the topic is of public health importance and important for children’s health. Conclusions. The results of this survey show it isimportant to improve the training provided to pediatricians and to standardize the discussion and the treatment of ETS during the pediatric visit.

Conocimiento, actitudes y prácticas de los pediatras argentinos respecto de la exposición infantil al humo de tabaco ajeno / Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Argentine pediatricians regarding second hand smoke exposure in children

Introducción. La exposición al humo de tabaco ajeno (HTA) es un grave problema de salud pública en la Argentina. Se estima que alrededor del 55% de los niños y adolescentes argentinos convive con un fumador. Diversos estudios muestran que lograr que padres y convivientes no fumen en el hogar ni en el auto disminuye ampliamente la exposición al humo y sus consecuencias. Objetivo. Establecer los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de los pediatras argentinos respecto de la exposición de los niños al humo de tabaco ajeno. Material y método. Se encuestó una muestra nacional de pediatras argentinos participantes del Programa Nacional de Actualización Pediátrica de la Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría, a través de un cuestionario enviado por correo electrónico. Resultados. El 74% de los 1126 pediatras que respondieron la encuesta, pregunta siempre por la exposición al humo de tabaco durante la consulta, el 50% lo registra en la historia clínica, 93% dice aconsejar a los padres para que no fumen en el hogar, 64% motiva a los padres para que dejen de fumar y 49% brinda material informativo sobre el tema. Se observa que el grado de conocimiento sobre las patologías más asociadas con la exposición al HTA es aceptable. Casi todos los pediatras consideran el tema como de importancia para la salud pública y para la salud de los niños. Conclusiones. Los resultados de esta encuesta muestran que es necesario mejorar la capacitación de los pediatras y estandarizar la discusión y el tratamiento de este tema durante la consulta.(AU)

Introduction. Passive smoking is a main public health problem in Argentina. It is estimated that about 55% of children live with a smoker at home. Several reports show that when parents and providers refrain from smoking at home and in the car, environmental tobacco exposure (ETS) and its health consequences decrease. Objective. To assess pediatricians knowledge,beliefs and practices regarding passive smoking and its prevention. Methodology. We surveyed a national sample of pediatricians, who participated in the National Pediatric Continuous Education Program(PRONAP) of the Argentine Pediatric Society, via e-mail. Results. Overall, 74% of the pediatricians that answeredthe questionnaire said that they alwaysasked about ETS exposure during the pediatric visit, 50% writes that on the childrens chart, 93% advises parents not to smoke at home, 64% motivatesparents to quit smoking and 49% provides information materials about the topic. Overall, their knowledge about the diseases most associated with ETS is appropriate. Almost all pediatricians believe the topic is of public health importance and important for childrens health. Conclusions. The results of this survey show it isimportant to improve the training provided to pediatricians and to standardize the discussion and the treatment of ETS during the pediatric visit.(AU)

[Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Argentine pediatricians regarding second hand smoke exposure in children]. / Conocimiento, actitudes y prácticas de los pediatras argentinos respecto de la exposición infantil al humo de tabaco ajeno.

INTRODUCTION: Passive smoking is a main public health problem in Argentina. It is estimated that about 55% of children live with a smoker at home. Several reports show that when parents and providers refrain from smoking at home and in the car, environmental tobacco exposure (ETS) and its health consequences decrease. OBJECTIVE: To assess pediatricians' knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding passive smoking and its prevention. METHODOLOGY: We surveyed a national sample of pediatricians, who participated in the National Pediatric Continuous Education Program (PRONAP) of the Argentine Pediatric Society, via e-mail. RESULTS: Overall, 74% of the pediatricians that answered the questionnaire said that they always asked about ETS exposure during the pediatric visit, 50% writes that on the children's chart, 93% advises parents not to smoke at home, 64% motivates parents to quit smoking and 49% provides information materials about the topic. Overall, their knowledge about the diseases most associated with ETS is appropriate. Almost all pediatricians believe the topic is of public health importance and important for children's health. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this survey show it is important to improve the training provided to pediatricians and to standardize the discussion and the treatment of ETS during the pediatric visit.

A phase I study of an allogeneic cell vaccine (VACCIMEL) with GM-CSF in melanoma patients.

We investigated whether recombinant human granulocyte-monocyte-colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) increased the immunogenicity of VACCIMEL, a vaccine consisting of 3 irradiated allogeneic melanoma cell lines. A phase I clinical trial was performed on 20 melanoma patients in stages IIB (n=2), III (n=10), and IV (n=8), who were disease free after surgery (n=16) or had minimal disease (n=4). Cohorts of 4 patients were vaccinated 4 times with VACCIMEL and bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) as adjuvant. Besides, the patients received placebo (group 1) or GM-CSF: 150 microg (group 2), 300 microg (group 3), 400 microg (group 4), and 600 microg (group 5) per vaccine. The combination of VACCIMEL and GM-CSF had low toxicity. Only in group 5, grade 2 thoracic pain (3/4 patients) and abdominal cramps (2/4 patients) were observed. Delayed-type hypersensitivity increased after vaccination and it was highest in group 4. Phytohemagglutinin stimulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes was analyzed in 9 patients: 4/9 had normal stimulation; 3/9 had low basal stimulation, which recovered after vaccination; and 2/9 were not stimulated. Antimelanoma antibodies preexisted in 9/19 patients; in 3/19 patients, antibodies anti-33 kd, 90 kd, and 100 kd antigens were induced by vaccination. IgG2 but not IgG1 antibodies were detected. Anti-BCG antibodies, mostly IgG2, reached the highest post/prevaccination ratio in group 4. Median serum interleukin-12 was lower in progressing patients (61.6 pg/mL) than in those without evident disease (89 pg/mL). Thus, its low toxicity and the induction of a predominantly cellular immune response suggest that the addition of 300 to 400 microg GM-CSF to VACCIMEL is useful in increasing the immune response.

Pseudoaneurisma de la aorta abdominal en un recién nacido / Abdominal aorta pseudoaneurysm in a newborn

Se presenta un RN de pre-término, portador de un pseudoaneurisma de aorta abdominal, como complicación asociada al uso de catéteres en la arteria umbilical y sepsis, alertando sobre la existencia de esta rara complicación (42 casos publicados) y llegar así a un diagnóstico temprano, en pacientes prematuros de alto riesgo. Mostrando la alta sensibilidad de la ecografía Doppler color para su detección

Pseudoaneurisma de la aorta abdominal en un recién nacido / Abdominal aorta pseudoaneurysm in a newborn

Se presenta un RN de pre-término, portador de un pseudoaneurisma de aorta abdominal, como complicación asociada al uso de catéteres en la arteria umbilical y sepsis, alertando sobre la existencia de esta rara complicación (42 casos publicados) y llegar así a un diagnóstico temprano, en pacientes prematuros de alto riesgo. Mostrando la alta sensibilidad de la ecografía Doppler color para su detección (AU)

Biopsia del ganglio centinela: su importancia en el tratamiento del melanoma localizado / Identification of the \"sentinel node\" in patients with localized melanoma

Se describen los resultados obtenidos en la identificación del ganglio centinela en doce pacientes con melanoma localizado (estadío I y II) tratados entre Diciembre de 1994 y Abril de 1995. Se detalla la técnica utilizada combinando la inyección intradérmica de Azul Patente con una linfografía isotópica. En todos los casos se pudo identificar el ganglio, presentando uno de ellos micrometástasis. La biopsia del ganglio centinela parecería ser una forma lógica de indicar vaciamientos selectivos. La técnica utilizada permite acortar la curva de aprendizaje, reducir costos y morbilidad

Biopsia del ganglio centinela: su importancia en el tratamiento del melanoma localizado / Identification of the "sentinel node" in patients with localized melanoma

Se describen los resultados obtenidos en la identificación del ganglio centinela en doce pacientes con melanoma localizado (estadío I y II) tratados entre Diciembre de 1994 y Abril de 1995. Se detalla la técnica utilizada combinando la inyección intradérmica de Azul Patente con una linfografía isotópica. En todos los casos se pudo identificar el ganglio, presentando uno de ellos micrometástasis. La biopsia del ganglio centinela parecería ser una forma lógica de indicar vaciamientos selectivos. La técnica utilizada permite acortar la curva de aprendizaje, reducir costos y morbilidad (AU)

Complicaciones de la colecistectomía laparoscópica / Complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Se analizan las complicaciones ocurridas en 500 colecistectomías laparoscópicas (403 colecistopatías no agudas y 97 colecictitis agudas), realizadas entre octubre de 1990 y junio de 1992. En 144 pacientes (28.8//) se produjo efracción vesicular, hemorragia en 37 (7.4//), caída de cálculos en la cavidad en 44 (8.8//), recuperándose en la mayoría. Fueron laparotomizados 20 enfermos (4//) de los cuales uno (0.2//) fue por lesión de la vía biliar y 10 (50//) por hilio congelado. En el postoperatorio cuatro pacientes (0.8//) presentaron bilirragia, uno (0.2//) litiasis residual resuelta por vía endoscópica, siendo reoperados tres (0.6//) por úlcera perforada, hematoma subhepático y evisceración umbilical atascada respectivamente. La incidencia de hemorragia y conversiones fue significativamente mayor en las patalogías agudas