Antenatally diagnosed lung malformations: a plea for long-term outcome studies

There is a wide variation in the management of infants with antenatally diagnosed lung malformations, with many paediatric surgeons and respiratory paediatricians recommending early investigations for all infants and a surgical excision for the majority of lesions, while others favour a conservative management for all asymptomatic infants. The benefits and risks of a surgical intervention have to be compared with the natural history of the untreated malformation and cohort studies from foetal diagnosis to adult life are required to provide the relevant evidence. Careful and repeated surveillance of identified foetuses is essential as recent advances in foetal medicine and surgery have improved the outcomes for the small minority, who are at risk of developing hydrops.

Diaphragmatic hernia: a postnatal complication of anomalous drainage of the umbilical vein

The ductus venosus (DV) connects the portal venous system to the inferior vena cava. Rarely, the umbilical venous drainage is anomalous, either connecting to the portal sinus within the liver or having an extrahepatic connection, bypassing the liver and draining to one of a variety of sites, including to the heart directly. Prenatally, there is a recognized association of anomalous umbilical venous drainage with aneuploidy and other structural malformations. The fetus may also develop right heart failure because of unregulated volume loading. We report the postnatal development of diaphragmatic hernia in three fetuses with absent DV and umbilical venous drainage to the right atrium directly in two cases and to the coronary sinus in the third. In all fetuses, the abnormality was well-tolerated in pregnancy, with only a modest degree of right heart dilatation. All three neonates underwent repair of the diaphragmatic hernia and made a good recovery.

A case report describing a suspected rivaroxaban hypersensitivity reaction in a surgical patient

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Rivaroxaban is an oral anticoagulant, currently licensed for use as a venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis, and recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) for all patients undergoing elective hip and knee replacement surgery in the UK. We present the first case of a suspected hypersensitivity to rivaroxaban.

CASE SUMMARY

A 57-year-old man with no previous allergies underwent an uncomplicated, elective partial knee replacement, after which he was prescribed a routine 2-week course of rivaroxaban 10 mg. He developed an allergic response requiring readmission for assessment and treatment 7 days post-operatively.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

We believe this to be the first published case of hypersensitivity associated with rivaroxaban. More research is needed to determine this association. At the same time, given the growing range and increasing use of anticoagulants, particular vigilance is required regarding potential side effects so that these may be managed quickly and effectively in the early stages.

Successful treatment of cryoglobulinaemia with rituximab

Cryoglobulinaemia is a systemic inflammatory condition characterised by immune complex-mediated small-to-medium-sized vasculitis. It has a wide variety of presentations ranging from bruising, neuropathy, and hepatosplenomegaly to acute renal failure. Mixed cryoglobulinaemia is the most common type and is strongly associated with hepatitis C. Management approaches include use of cyclophosphamide, prednisolone, and plasmapheresis, with differing views on alternative treatments in resistant cases. Rituximab has emerged as an attractive option in resistant cases on account of its potent immunosuppressive effects on B cells. We describe a case of type 2 mixed cryoglobulinaemia in association with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma resistant to standard treatments which responded well to rituximab. This case is remarkable as mixed cryoglobulinaemia associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting with nephritis is unusual, and, contrary to the high rate of recurrence in lymphoma-related cryoglobulinaemia, our patient has not shown any recurrence over 24 months. This highlights an alternative treatment modality which can be used in patients not responsive to existing managements for this condition with benefits of minimal side effects and no oncogenetic potential.

Successful treatment of calcific uremic arteriolopathy with sodium thiosulfate in a renal transplant recipient

Abstract Calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA) is a rare but life-threatening disorder of arteriolar calcification. It frequently leads to severe ischemia, intense pain, and tissue necrosis with non-healing skin ulcerations. CUA usually occurs in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially those on dialysis, and its occurrence is rare in kidney transplant recipients. The treatment of this disorder is not clearly defined, and no randomized prospective trials are available. Treatment has focused on optimizing dialysis treatment, control of bone mineral parameters, wound care, experimental anticalcification therapies-using bisphosphonates, cinacalcet, parathyroidectomy, and hyperbaric oxygen. Such treatments are based on the pathophysiological considerations and evidences from case reports or series. Recently, several cases have reported about the emerging benefits of intravenous sodium thiosulfate (STS) in the treatment of CUA. STS has resulted in rapid pain relief, wound healing, and prevention of death. We report a case of CUA in a 63-year-old Caucasian man with a functioning renal allograft. In this patient, intravenous STS was administered for 8 months, which was the principal therapy, which resulted in complete resolution of the CUA and skin healing.

Isolated gallbladder perforation following blunt abdominal trauma in a six-year-old child

Isolated perforation of the gallbladder secondary to blunt trauma is rare. Furthermore, only a few cases exist in the infant age group. It has vague symptoms and interpretation of the radiology imaging is challenging. Diagnosis is usually made at operation. We report the case of a six-year-old boy who fell on to the handlebars of his scooter, sustaining an isolated gallbladder perforation. The authors highlight the importance of interpreting the volume of intraperitoneal fluid and early diagnostic laparoscopy.

The diagnostic dilemma of a multilocular renal cyst: a case report

Introduction

Renal cysts presenting in childhood are rare. Historically, renal cysts have been subject to variable nomenclature which has contributed to diagnostic difficulties. They can occur as solitary, unilateral or multiple lesions. Cysts can be further classified according to loculation, communications within the structure and tissue types present.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 15-month-old Caucasian boy presenting with abdominal distension as the only clinical symptom. On examination, an ill-defined abdominal mass was found. This was confirmed on ultrasound to be a multiseptated cystic mass with a solid element, arising from the right side of the abdomen. Despite further imaging, the origin of the mass could not be identified. The mass was suspected of malignancy but all blood tests and tumour markers were normal. The mass proved to be a diagnostic challenge. The renal origin of the mass was only confirmed at surgery.

Conclusion

Imaging appears to be unreliable in differentiating benign cysts from malignant renal tumours, raising a diagnostic dilemma where surgery seems the only way to reliably establish aetiology of the mass.

Prenatal diagnosis of tracheo-oesophageal fistula and oesophageal atresia

OBJECTIVES

To assess the accuracy of the prenatal ultrasound finding of subjectively small/absent stomach bubble in the prenatal diagnosis of tracheo-oesophageal fistula and oesophageal atresia (TOF/OA).

METHODS

A retrospective study of prenatal ultrasound scans showing small/absent stomach bubble was carried out between 1st January 1994 and 31st December 2003.

RESULTS

There were 62 cases with prenatally suspected (n = 40) and/or post-natally diagnosed (n = 22) TOF/OA. Among the 40 cases of prenatally suspected TOF/OA 15 were thought to be isolated and 25 non-isolated. Of the 15 suspected isolated cases, 7 were normal and 8 had TOF/OA (5 isolated + 3 TOF/OA with another anomaly) at delivery. Among the 25 cases of prenatally suspected non-isolated TOF/OA, there was confirmation in only two cases, in the remaining 23 cases other anomalies were confirmed but TOF/OA was not present.Twenty-two babies with TOF/OA were identified in whom there had been no prenatal ultrasound suspicion on ultrasound scanning. Six had isolated TOF/OA and 16 had non-isolated TOF/OA.

CONCLUSION

Of the 32 cases of confirmed TOF/OA,10 (31%) were suspected prenatally. If the TOF/OA was an isolated anomaly (11 cases), the prenatal detection rate was 45%. Interpretation of ultrasound findings suspicious of TOF/OA requires caution, particularly, when there are associated multiple anomalies on scan.

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: an infectious cause?

The aetiology of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that a common bacterium, Helicobacter pylori (HP) may be implicated in the pathogenesis of IHPS. Thirty-nine consecutive infants with confirmed IHPS had their stool analysed with an enzyme immunoassay for the presence of HP. An age/sex-matched group of infants with unrelated surgical conditions were also tested. No positive results for the presence of HP stool antigen were obtained in the study nor the control group. The results of this study demonstrate no causative link between HP and IHPS. A genetic basis has been implicated for IHPS. However, evidence does exist that IHPS is a condition acquired after birth and that an infective agent may be involved in the pathogenesis. Further studies are required to elucidate perinatal factors that may induce the expression of this condition in a genetically sensitive individual.

Assessment of iodine deficiency disorders in urban areas of Udaipur District, Rajasthan

The present study was conducted on 6-12 years school going children of urban areas of Udaipur to assess the prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders. The study revealed a goiter prevalence of 8.4 percent and biochemical deficiency of nearly 8 per cent but the median iodine levels of the study population was 20 mcg/dL. Iodometric titration of salt samples collected from the beneficiaries revealed that more than 85 per cent of the salt samples had within or more than the stipulated levels of iodine 15 ppm. It appears that the population is in the transition phase from iodine deficiency to iodine sufficiency due to successful implementation of salt iodisation program.

Effects of burn with and without Escherichia coli infection in rats on intestinal vs. splenic T-cell responses

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of burn injury with and without an Escherichia coliseptic complication on T-cell proliferation, interleukin-2 production, and Ca(2+) signaling responses in intestinal Peyer's patch and splenic T cells.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, sham-controlled animal study.

SETTING

University medical center research laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats.

INTERVENTIONS

Rats were subjected to a 30% total body surface area, full skin thickness burn. Infection in rats was induced via intraperitoneal inoculation of E. coli, 10(9) colony forming units/kg, with or without a prior burn.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Rat Peyer's patch and splenic T lymphocytes were isolated by using a nylon wool cell purification protocol. T-cell proliferation, interleukin-2 production, and Ca(2+) signaling responses were measured after stimulation of cells with the mitogen, concanavalin A. T-cell proliferation was determined by measuring incorporation of (3)H-thymidine into T-cell cultures. Interleukin-2 production by T-cell cultures was measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intracellular T-cell Ca2(+ )concentration, [Ca(2+)](i), was measured by the use of Ca(2+)-specific fluorescent label, fura-2, and its fluorometric quantification. [Ca(2+)](i) was also evaluated by the use of digital video imaging of fura-2 loaded individual T cells. T-cell proliferation and interleukin-2 production were suppressed substantially in both Peyer's patch and splenic T cells 3 days after either the initial burn alone or burn followed by the E. coli inoculation at 24 hrs after the initial burn. There seemed to be no demonstrable additive effects of E. coli infection on the effects produced by burn injury alone. The T-cell proliferation and interleukin-2 production suppressions with burn or burn-plus-infection insults were correlated with attenuated Ca(2+) signaling. E. coli infection alone suppressed T-cell proliferation in Peyer's patch but not in splenic T cells at 2 days postbacterial inoculation; E. coli infection had no effect on Peyer's patch or splenic T cells at 1 day postinjury. On the other hand, burn injury alone caused a substantial T-cell proliferative suppression at 2 days postburn in both Peyer's patch and splenic cells and a significant suppression in T-cell proliferation on day 1 postburn in Peyer's patch but not in the spleen.

CONCLUSION

An initial burn injury suppressed T-cell proliferation at a level that it would not be further affected by a subsequent infection even if the infection by itself has the potential of suppressing T-cell proliferation. An earlier onset of T-cell suppression in Peyer's patch cells than in the spleen with burn could be attributable to an initial hypoperfusion-related intestinal mucosal tissue injury. Overall, our study supports the concept that burn injury per se can significantly suppress T-cell mediated immunity and that the intestine is an early tissue site of such suppression.

Cutaneous expression of CRH and CRH-R. Is there a "skin stress response system?"

The classical neuroendocrine pathway for response to systemic stress is by hypothalamic release of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), subsequent activation of pituitary CRH receptors (CRH-R), and production and release of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) derived peptides. It has been proposed that an equivalent to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functions in mammalian skin, in response to local stress (see Reference 1). To further define such system we used immunocytochemistry, RP-HPLC separation, and RIA techniques, in rodent and human skin, and in cultured normal and malignant melanocytes and keratinocytes. Production of mRNA for CRH-R1 was documented in mouse and human skin using RT-PCR and Northern blot techniques; CRH binding sites and CRH-R1 protein were also identified. Addition of CRH to immortalized human keratinocytes, and to rodent and human melanoma cells induced rapid, specific, and dose-dependent increases in intracellular Ca2+. The latter were inhibited by the CRH antagonist alpha-helical-CRH(9-41) and by the depletion of extracellular calcium with EGTA. CRH production was enhanced by ultraviolet light radiation and forskolin (a stimulator for intracellular cAMP production), and inhibited by dexamethasone. Thus, evidence that skin cells, both produce CRH and express functional CRH-R1, supports the existence of a local CRH/CRH-R neuroendocrine pathway that may be activated within the context of a skin stress response system.

Characterization of local inflammatory response in an isolated lung perfusion model

BACKGROUND

Current phase I trials of isolated lung perfusion for treatment of pulmonary metastases have an arbitrarily determined length of perfusion. Our objective was to examine the temporal course of the local and distant inflammatory response as a function of the length of perfusion (ischemia) and subsequent reperfusion in an equivalent animal model.

METHODS

Sixty male Fischer 344 rats were randomized into four groups (n = 15). Each group underwent left isolated lung perfusion with buffered Hespan for 10, 30, 60, or 90 minutes. Subsequently, two subgroups of five animals within each group were allowed to reperfuse for 1 or 3 hours, respectively. Non-perfused right lung was used as control. At each time point, lung specimens were assayed for TNF-alpha by ELISA and histologic sections were examined.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the left and right lung tissue levels of TNF-alpha at the termination of the ischemic period. However, on reperfusion, the left lung TNF-alpha levels increased significantly above the ischemia baseline in all groups, with a greater magnitude of rise in the groups with 60 and 90 minutes of preceding ischemia (12,757 +/- 1985 vs. 3524 +/- 494 pg/g, and 16,914 +/- 1657 vs. 6530 +/- 1104 pg/g, respectively; p < 0.05). There was no significant elevation in tissue levels of TNF-alpha in the right lung. Histologic changes consistent with early pulmonary edema were first detected at 12 hours following onset of reperfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Reperfusion following prolonged pulmonary ischemia during isolated lung perfusion results in a significant elevation of local tissue levels of TNF-alpha and may render the perfused lung vulnerable to the adverse effects of the inflammatory cascade.

A longitudinal study of changes in body composition and basal metabolism in physically active elderly men

Ageing in the elderly is usually characterised by loss of fat-free mass (FFM) and reduction in basal metabolic rate (BMR). These age-related changes probably vary in rate, timing and extent between subjects in response to differences in leisure or occupational physical activity, disease and several other factors. Information on rates of change in BMR and FFM is limited by study design (most published work is cross-sectional rather than longitudinal), and possibly by methodology (use of imprecise and/or biased methods for assessment of changes in body composition). In the present study BMR and body composition were first measured in 22 physically active elderly men (mean age 62) in good health and measurements were repeated 6.5 years later. Changes in BMR, FFM and percentage body fat were small and not statistically significant over the time period (paired t, P > 0.05). The study suggests that physically active elderly men in good health in this age range can show very small age-related declines in BMR and FFM.

Mother surrogate and nutritional status of preschool children

The study was conducted on 200 preschool children to find out the effect of mother surrogate on the nutritional status. The nutritional status of children was found to be affected by the time devoted by mother on child care activities, working status of mother and type of family independently and jointly. The children cared by mother had better nutritional status than those children who were cared by servants and any other family member in the absence of mother. It shows that no one can substitute the care provided by the mother.

Pattern of preventable diseases in Afghanistan: suggestions to reduce the morbidity and mortality at IGICH

Over nine years period (1354-1362), 1,39,436 children were admitted in Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (IGICH), Kabul. Of these 51,212 (46.8%) children were hospitalised with preventable diseases. Seventy four per cent of patients were under five years of age. Among the infectious diseases, gastroenteritis accounted for nearly 70% of admissions. Tuberculosis, measles, diphtheria and typhoid fever were other common infectious diseases. Malnutrition of varying degree was the core problem among the hospitalised children and was seen in nearly two thirds of admissions. Twenty per cent of them had severe protein energy malnutrition which contributed for higher mortality. Gastroenteritis contributed for half (51.5%) of the mortality. Septicemia, tetanus neonatorum and central nervous system infections were associated with high mortality especially among the neonates. Deaths following 6-target preventable diseases accounted for nearly 1/4th of deaths (20.4-24.6%) over these years.

Extra AV nodal Wenckebach periodicity

Extra AV nodal Wenckebach periodicity was diagnosed in seven patients. The most frequent form of this conduction abnormality was an exit block. The underlying block was localized in the sinoatrial junction and in the atria in two patients; the AV junction and the ventricle were the site of the Wenckebach periodicity in one case each. In extra AV nodal exit block, the actual conduction delay is not seen on the ECG and the diagnosis is based on the progressive shortening of the P-P or R-R intervals followed by a pause which is less than twice the shortest P-P (R-R) interval depending on the level of the block. A Wenckebach periodicity in the bundle branches or within the reentry pathway each occurred in one patient. In these forms of Wenckebach periodicity, the diagnosis is established more readily because the conduction delay can be demonstrated on the surface ECG. The clinical significance of extra AV nodal Wenckebach periodicity is discussed.