Bone demineralization in a cohort of Egyptian pediatric liver transplant recipients: Single center pilot study

Liver transplantation (LT) is the definitive treatment of end-stage liver disease. The long-term survival following LT spurred more interest in improving the quality of life of patients. This was a cohort study that included 23 pediatric liver transplant recipients who underwent LT due to hereditary or metabolic liver diseases. Bone health assessment was performed at their last follow up clinically (anthropometric measures), biochemically and radiologically (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry [DEXA] scans). Poor bone health was defined as z-score <-1. Mean age at LT was 5.77 years (standard deviation [SD] 3.64) and 43% were males. Biliary atresia was the most common cause of end stage liver disease (35%). Mean age at follow up was 14 years (SD 5.48) and mean follow up was 8 years (SD 4.12 years). Eleven patients (48%) had poor bone health (osteopenia 22% and osteoporosis 26%). On univariate analysis, being on steroids at last follow up (odds ratio [OR] 13.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-140.67, P = .03), weight at last follow up (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.20-0.99, P = .04), platelets at last follow up (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-s0.99, P = .02), hemoglobin at last follow up (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.12-0.89, P = .03) were significantly associated with poor bone health. None of the variables were significant on multivariate analysis. At most recent follow up, 48% of patients demonstrated poor bone health by DEXA scans. More studies are required to evaluate predictors of poor bone health after LT in children.

Congenital aflatoxicosis, mal-detoxification genomics & ontogeny trigger immune-mediated Kotb disease biliary atresia variant: SANRA compliant review

Biliary atresia (BA) is the most common indication for pediatric liver transplantation. We describe The BA variant: Kotb disease. Liver tissue in the Kotb disease BA is massively damaged by congenital aflatoxicosis resulting in inflammation, adhesions, fibrosis, bile duct proliferation, scarring, cholestasis, focal syncytial giant cell transformation, and typical immune response involving infiltration by CD4+, CD8+, CD68+, CD14+, neutrophil infiltration, neutrophil elastase spill, heavy loads of aflatoxin B1, accelerated cirrhosis, disruption of p53 and GSTPi, and have null glutathione S transferase M1 (GSTM1). All their mothers are heterozygous for GSTM1. This inability to detoxify aflatoxicosis results in progressive inflammatory adhesions and obliterative cholangiopathy early in life. The typical disruption of both p53 and GSTPi causes loss of fidelity of hepatic regeneration. Hence, regeneration in Kotb disease BA typically promotes accelerated cirrhosis. The immune response in Kotb disease BA is for damage control and initiation of regeneration, yet, this friendly fire incurs massive structural collateral damage. The Kotb disease BA is about actual ongoing hepatic entrapment of aflatoxins with lack of ability of safe disposal due to child detoxification-genomics disarray. The Kotb disease BA is a product of the interaction of persistent congenital aflatoxicosis, genetic lack of GSTM1 detoxification, ontogenically impaired activity of other hepatic detoxification, massive neutrophil-elastase, immune-induced damage, and disturbed regeneration. Ante-natal and neonatal screening for aflatoxicosis, avoiding cord milking, and stringent control of aflatoxicosis content of human, poultry and live-stock feeds might prove effective for prevention, prompt diagnosis and management based on our recent understanding of its patho-genomics.

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 in children: Clinical classification, renal replacement therapy, and outcome in a single centre experience

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is a rare disease that is challenged by the overproduced oxalate and commonly presented with radiopaque renal stones or obstructive uropathy. This study aimed to report clinical presentations, renal replacement therapy (RRT), and outcome of PH1 in end stage kidney disease (ESKD) children. This is an observational cohort study. Data of 22 patients with ESKD due to PH1 were analyzed at Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Faculty of Medicine Cairo University. Infantile onset patients (n = 10) had worst renal outcome (80% with ESRD at presentation, p = 0.019) and worse patient outcome (mortality 40%, p = 0.016) than juvenile (n = 9) and late onset (PH1 n = 3) patients. RRT modalities include peritoneal dialysis (PD) in 7 (31.8%), hemodialysis (HD) in 11 (50%), and combined liver kidney transplantation (CLKT) in 4 (18.2%) patients. Infectious complications were encountered in 42.8% of PD patients. Better HD adequacy was observed with frequent HD (n = 6) and/or HD via arteriovenous fistula (AVF) than with infrequent dialysis (n = 5) and/or via central venous line (CVL) (p = 0.0001 and 0.0047, respectively). Morbidity and mortality (infection related) rates of the whole cohort were 63.6% and 31.8%, respectively. Clinical presentation of PH1 varies according to the age of onset (infantile onset being the most aggressive form). Aggressive HD (better through AVF) is needed to achieve acceptable HD adequacy, PD was challenged by infection. Infection found to be the main cause of mortality even after successful CLKT.

Cholestasis In Infants With Down Syndrome Is Not Due To Extrahepatic Biliary Atresia: A Ten-Year Single Egyptian Centre Experience

Purpose

We aimed to define the clinical presentations, course and outcome of cholestasis in infants with Down syndrome (trisomy 21) who presented to the Pediatric Hepatology Clinic, New Children Hospital, Cairo University, Egypt.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of data of cohort of infants with Down syndrome and cholestasis who followed up during 2005-2015.

Results

Among 779 infants with cholestasis who presented during 2005-2015, 61 (7.8%) had Down syndrome. Six dropped out. Among the 55 who followed-up for a mean duration +SD = 12.1 ± 16.7 months, none had extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA), 37 (63.3%) had neonatal hepatitis and 18 (32.7%) had non-syndromic paucity of intrahepatic biliary radicals. Fourteen (25.4%) had associated congenital heart disease. Only 35 (63.3%) cleared the jaundice. Twenty-nine (52.7%) received ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA); of them, 13 cleared the jaundice, one improved, 14 progressed and one died, compared to 22 who cleared the jaundice of the 26 who did not receive UDCA. Only three of those who did not receive UDCA progressed and none died. UDCA carried a 3.4-fold risk of poor prognosis (p= 0.001). UDCA use was associated with more complications (p= 0.016) in those with Down syndrome and cholestasis.

Conclusion

We did not come across EHBA among neonates and infants with Down syndrome in 10 years. Non-syndromic paucity is associated with favorable outcome in infants with Down syndrome. UDCA use in cholestasis with Down syndrome is associated with poor outcome.

Screening for galactosemia: is there a place for it?

Galactose is a hexose essential for production of energy, which has a prebiotic role and is essential for galactosylation of endogenous and exogenous proteins, ceramides, myelin sheath metabolism and others. The inability to metabolize galactose results in galactosemia. Galactosemia is an autosomal recessive disorder that affects newborns who are born asymptomatic, apparently well and healthy, then develop serious morbidity and mortality upon consuming milk that contains galactose. Those with galactosemia have a deficiency of an enzyme: classic galactosemia (type 1) results from severe deficiency of galactose-1-uridylyltransferase, while galactosemia type II results from galactokinase deficiency and type III results from galactose epimerase deficiency. Many countries include neonatal screening for galactosemia in their national newborn screening program; however, others do not, as the condition is rather rare, with an incidence of 1:30,000-1:100,000, and screening may be seen as not cost-effective and logistically demanding. Early detection and intervention by restricting galactose is not curative but is very rewarding, as it prevents deaths, mental retardation, liver cell failure, renal tubular acidosis and neurological sequelae, and may lead to resolution of cataract formation. Hence, national newborn screening for galactosemia prevents serious potential life-long suffering, morbidity and mortality. Recent advances in communication and biotechnology promise facilitation of logistics of neonatal screening, including improved cost-effectiveness.

Combined liver-kidney transplantation for primary hyperoxaluria type I in children: Single Center Experience

Primary hyperoxalurias are rare inborn errors of metabolism with deficiency of hepatic enzymes that lead to excessive urinary oxalate excretion and overproduction of oxalate which is deposited in various organs. Hyperoxaluria results in serious morbid-ity, end stage kidney disease (ESKD), and mortality if left untreated. Combined liver kidney transplantation (CLKT) is recognized as a management of ESKD for children with hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1). This study aimed to report outcome of CLKT in a pediatric cohort of PH1 patients, through retrospective analysis of data of 8 children (2 girls and 6 boys) who presented by PH1 to Wadi El Nil Pediatric Living Related Liver Transplant Unit during 2001-2017. Mean age at transplant was 8.2 ± 4 years. Only three of the children underwent confirmatory genotyping. Three patients died prior to surgery on waiting list. The first attempt at CLKT was consecutive, and despite initial successful liver transplant, the girl died of biliary peritonitis prior to scheduled renal transplant. Of the four who underwent simultaneous CLKT, only two survived and are well, one with insignificant complications, and other suffered from abdominal Burkitt lymphoma managed by excision and resection anastomosis, four cycles of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone. The other two died, one due to uncontrollable bleeding within 36 hours of procedure, while the other died awaiting renal transplant after loss of renal graft to recurrent renal oxalosis 6 months post-transplant. PH1 with ESKD is a rare disease; simultaneous CLKT offers good quality of life for afflicted children. Graft shortage and renal graft loss to oxalosis challenge the outcome.

Pilot study of classic galactosemia: Neurodevelopmental impact and other complications urge neonatal screening in Egypt

Classic galactosemia is caused by deficiency of galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase (GALT). It causes serious morbidity and mortality if left untreated. Screening for galactosemia is not included in Egyptian neonatal screening program. The study aimed to define clinical presentation and complications of galactosemia at Pediatric Hepatology Clinic, Cairo University, Egypt. Thus, the clinical presentation, course and outcome of 37 children with documented galactosemia was studied. Jaundice was the main presentation (67.6%). Other presentations included; convulsions (29.7%), motor retardation (24.3%), mental retardation (5.4%), microcephaly (5.4%), failure to thrive (16.2%), hepatomegaly (62.2%), splenomegaly (35.1%), vomiting (16.2%), diarrhea (8.1%), liver cell failure (10.8%), renal tubular acidosis (5.4%), cataract (5.4%), autoimmune hepatitis (2.7%), self-mutilation (2.7%), combined immune deficiency (2.7%) and kernicterus (2.7%). There was no correlation of residual enzyme activity to severity, clinical presentation, liver function tests, liver biopsy findings or outcome apart from highly significant correlation with repeated chest infections (P = 0.001). Duration to diagnosis and exposure to galactose in diet correlated with liver pathology severity i.e. hepatocyte necrosis (P = 0.003) and cytoskeleton damage (P = 0.003), but not to outcome. Galactosemia should be suspected in any child with liver, neurologic disease and/or immunodeficiency. Its complications are potentially preventable. Early detection is mandatory to prevent serious morbidity and mortality. Initiation of neonatal screening for galactosemia in Egypt is recommended.

Pulmonary hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy in children recipients of orthotopic living related liver transplantation

Surgical stress, liberation of cytokines associated with re-perfusion injury, and long standing use of immune suppressive medications in children recipients of orthotopic living related liver transplantation (OLRLT) pose cardiovascular risk. Reported cardiovascular adverse effects vary from left ventricular wall thickening, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to resting ECG abnormalities, asymptomatic ST depression following increased heart rate and ventricular arrhythmias. Twenty-five consecutive children recipients of OLRLT were assessed by conventional 2-D, M-mode echocardiography and Doppler. The mean age ± SD at transplantation and at enrollment in study was 6.3 ± 4.5 and 13.5 ± 5.6 years respectively. All children were on immunosuppressive medications, with tacrolimus being constant among all. Long-term post-transplant echocardiography revealed statistically significant interventricular septal hypertrophy among all (mean thickness 0.89 ± 0.16 cm), (P = 0.0001) in comparison to reference range for age, 24 had pulmonary hypertension (mean mPAP 36.43 ± 5.60 mm Hg, P = 0.0001), and early diastolic dysfunction with a mean Tei index of 0.40 ± 0.10. However cardiac function was generally preserved. Children recipients of OLRLT have cardiac structural and functional abnormalities that can be asymptomatic. Pulmonary hypertension, increased cardiac mass, de novo aortic stenosis and diastolic heart failure were among abnormalities encountered in the studied population. Echocardiography is indispensible in follow-up of children recipients of OLRLT.

Clinical spectrum of primary hyperoxaluria type 1: Experience of a tertiary center

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Primary hyperoxalurias are rare inborn errors of metabolism resulting in increased endogenous production of oxalate that leads to excessive urinary oxalate excretion. Diagnosis of primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is a challenging issue and depends on diverse diagnostic tools including biochemical analysis of urine, stone analysis, renal biopsy, genetic studies and in some cases liver biopsy for enzyme assay. We characterized the clinical presentation as well as renal and extrarenal phenotypes in PH1 patients.

METHODS

This descriptive cohort study included patients with presumable PH1 presenting with nephrolithiasis and/or nephrocalcinosis (NC). Precise clinical characterization of renal phenotype as well as systemic involvement is reported. AGXT mutational analysis was performed to confirm the diagnosis of PH1.

RESULTS

The study cohort included 26 patients with presumable PH1 with male to female ratio of 1.4:1. The median age at time of diagnosis was 6 years, nevertheless the median age at initial symptoms was 3 years. Thirteen patients (50%) were diagnosed before the age of 5 years. Two patients had no symptoms and were diagnosed while screening siblings of index patients. Seventeen patients (65.4%) had reached end-stage renal disease (ESRD): 6/17 (35.3%) during infancy, 4/17 (23.5%) in early childhood and 7/17 (41.29%) in late childhood. Two patients (7.7%) had clinically manifest extra renal (retina, heart, bone, soft tissue) involvement. Mutational analysis of AGXT gene confirmed the diagnosis of PH1 in 15 out of 19 patients (79%) where analysis had been performed. Fifty percent of patients with maintained renal functions had projected 10 years renal survival.

CONCLUSION

PH1 is a heterogeneous disease with wide spectrum of clinical, imaging and functional presentation. More than two-thirds of patients presented prior to the age of 5 years; half of them with the stormy course of infantile PH1. ESRD was the commonest presenting manifestation in two-thirds of our cohort.

Molecular detection of giardiasis among children at Cairo University Pediatrics Hospitals

Giardiasis is a prevailing intestinal disease in children. This study aimed to determine molecular prevalence of Giardia intestinalis in children attending Cairo University Pediatrics Hospitals, using copro-PCR assays, conventional methods and to evaluate diagnostic effectiveness of used tests. 229 fecal samples were collected from children suffering from gastrointestinal symptoms and examined for Giardia by microscopy, Immuno-chromatographic test (ICT), copro-DNA using two PCR assays targeting tpi [nested-PCR (nPCR)] and 18S [conventional-PCR (cPCR)] genes. Out of 229 samples assessed, Giardia was diagnosed in 13.9, 17, 17.9, 4.8 % of cases using microscopy, ICT, nPCR (tpi) and cPCR (18S), respectively. Nominating both PCR assays as composite reference standard, microscopy and ICT were of reliable specificity (100 and 96.9 %) and accuracy (95.6 and 93.6 %) but of limited sensitivity (78.6 and 76.2 %). Kappa agreement showed, there was substantial agreement of ICT (0.776) and almost perfect agreement of microscopy (0.839) with PCR assays. Giardia showed a molecular prevalence of 18.3 % (42/229). ICT assay for Giardia surpassed microscopy but both couldn't be used as a consistent single detection method due to their lowered sensitivities. nPCR targeting tpi is a reliable diagnostic test aiding to determine true prevalence of Giardia.

Pediatric Online Evidence-Based Medicine Assignment Is a Novel Effective Enjoyable Undergraduate Medical Teaching Tool: A SQUIRE Compliant Study

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is delivered through a didactic, blended learning, and mixed models. Students are supposed to construct an answerable question in PICO (patient, intervention, comparison, and outcome) framework, acquire evidence through search of literature, appraise evidence, apply it to the clinical case scenario, and assess the evidence in relation to clinical context. Yet these teaching models have limitations especially those related to group work, for example, handling uncooperative students, students who fail to contribute, students who domineer, students who have personal conflict, their impact upon progress of their groups, and inconsistent individual acquisition of required skills. At Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, we designed a novel undergraduate pediatric EBM assignment online system to overcome shortcomings of previous didactic method and aimed to assess its effectiveness by prospective follow-up during academic years 2012 to 2013 and 2013 to 2014. The novel web-based online interactive system was tailored to provide sequential single and group assignments for each student. Single assignment addressed a specific case scenario question, while group assignment was teamwork that addressed different questions of same case scenario. Assignment comprised scholar content and skills. We objectively analyzed students' performance by criterion-based assessment and subjectively by anonymous student questionnaire. A total of 2879 were enrolled in 5th year Pediatrics Course consecutively, of them 2779 (96.5%) logged in and 2554 (88.7%) submitted their work. They were randomly assigned to 292 groups. A total of 2277 (89.15%) achieved ≥ 80% of total mark (4/5), of them 717 (28.1%) achieved a full mark. A total of 2178 (85.27%) and 2359 (92.36%) made evidence-based conclusions and recommendations in single and group assignment, respectively (P < 0.001). A total of 1102 (43.1%) answered student questionnaire, of them 898 (81.48%) found e-educational experience satisfactory, 175 (15.88%) disagreed, and 29 (2.6%) could not decide. A total of 964 (87.47%) found single assignment educational, 913 (82.84%) found group assignment educational, and 794 (72.3%) enjoyed it. Web-based online interactive undergraduate EBM assignment was found effective in teaching medical students and assured individual student acquisition of concepts and skills of pediatric EMB. It was effective in mass education, data collection, and storage essential for system and student assessment.

Ursodeoxycholic acid in neonatal hepatitis and infantile paucity of intrahepatic bile ducts: review of a historical cohort

We retrospectively reviewed the role of ursodeoxycholic acid in infants having nonsurgical cholestasis attending the Hepatology Clinic, New Children Hospital, Cairo University, Egypt, from 1985 until 2005. Files of 496 infants with neonatal hepatitis and 97 with intrahepatic bile duct paucity were included; of them 241 (48.6%) and 52 (46.4%) received 20-40 mg/kg/day ursodeoxycholic acid for 319.2 +/- 506.9 days and 480.3 +/- 583.3 days, respectively. The outcome of infants with neonatal hepatitis with intake of ursodeoxycholic acid and those without was: 108 (44.8%) and 179 (70.2%) successful (P = 0.000), 11 (4.6%) and 13 (5.1%) improved (P = 0. 474), 112 (46.5%) and 61 (23.9%) suffered failed outcome (P = 0.000), and 10 (4.1%) and 2 (0.78%) died (P = 0.014), respectively. Likelihood of successful outcome with ursodeoxycholic acid intake was 0.345 (P = 0.000), and that of deterioration was 2.76 (P = 0.000). For those having intrahepatic bile duct paucity likelihood of successful outcome with ursodeoxycholic acid intake was 0.418 (P = 0.040) and that of deterioration was 2.64 (P = 0.028). Ursodeoxycholic acid failed in management of this cohort of infants with nonsurgical cholestasis.

Review of historical cohort: ursodeoxycholic acid in extrahepatic biliary atresia

BACKGROUND

Ursodeoxycholic acid is a bile acid that was found to increase bile flow, protect hepatocytes, and dissolve gallstones.

PURPOSE

The objective of this study is to review ursodeoxycholic acid in infants and children with extrahepatic biliary atresia.

METHODS

We used a statistical analysis of data of records of infants and children having extrahepatic biliary atresia who underwent Kasai portoenterostomy and attended Hepatology Clinic, New Children's Hospital, Cairo University, Egypt, from May 1985 until June 2005.

RESULTS

Of 141 infants with extrahepatic biliary atresia, 108 received ursodeoxycholic acid for mean duration +/- SD of 252.6 +/- 544.9 days in a dosage of 20 mg/kg per day. The outcome of infants who did not receive ursodeoxycholic acid and those who did was the following: 8 (24.2%) and 11 (10.18%) had a successful outcome (P = .043), 0 (0%) and 7 (6.4%) improved (P = .148), 25 (75.7%) and 84 (77.7%) had a failed outcome (P = .489), and none vs 5 died (4.6%) (P = .135), respectively. The predictors of successful outcomes were age less than 65 days at portoenterostomy (P = .008) and absence of ursodeoxycholic acid intake (P = .04) with a likelihood of a successful outcome that was 2.8, that associated with ursodeoxycholic acid intake.

CONCLUSION

In this cohort of infants with extrahepatic biliary atresia, ursodeoxycholic acid was not shown to be effective, and its use was associated with a plethora of hepatic and extrahepatic complications.

Post-portoenterostomy triangular cord sign prognostic value in biliary atresia: a prospective study

The triangular cord sign (TC sign) is a sensitive and specific tool in prompt diagnosis of extrahepatic biliary atresia. The objective of this study is to evaluate post-operative TC sign presence in outcome prediction of infants with biliary atresia after Kasai hepato-portoenterostomy 27 infants and children with biliary atresia underwent 122 ultrasound examinations using both 5 MHz and 7 MHz convex linear transducers in 33 months follow up. For all infants TC sign identification was included pre-operatively, ultrasound was done 2 weeks post-operatively then bimonthly for 3 months, monthly for 2 months and every 3 months thereafter. 14 (53.8%) had post-operative TC sign. Once post-operatively positive, it remained positive throughout the study. It did not reappear in an initially post-operatively TC sign negative infant. Those having post-operative TC sign had statistically worse outcomes (0 became anicteric, 2 improved, 7 had progressive disease and 6 died) than those with a negative TC sign (p = 0.04) (3 became anicteric, 5 improved, 2 progressed and 1 died). Presence of TC sign post-operatively correlated with measure of removal of all fibrous cone at porta-hepatis during portoenterostomy (p = 0.026). Post-portoenterostomy TC sign is associated with more morbidity and mortality; and reflects inadequate surgical technique.

Immune-mediated liver injury: prognostic value of CD4+, CD8+, and CD68+ in infants with extrahepatic biliary atresia

BACKGROUND

Hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis develop progressively in extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) despite timely surgical intervention.

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to define CD4+ helper T lymphocytes, cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes, and CD68+ (macrophages) infiltration of portal tracts and lobules and hepatic fibrosis as possible predictive measures of outcome of infants having EHBA.

METHODS

The outcome of 32 infants with EHBA was correlated to their percutaneous biopsy and postportoenterostomy core liver tissue infiltration by CD4+, CD68+, and CD8+ cells and to the degree of detected fibrosis.

RESULTS

Portoenterostomy cores were heavily infiltrated by CD4+, CD8+, and CD68+, compared with the preoperative liver biopsy (P = .008, .004, and .017, respectively). Infants having favorable outcome had more macrophage infiltration in portoenterostomy core compared with those having an unfavorable outcome (25.66 +/- 29.77 per HPF compared with 11.62 +/- 4.58, P = .000). Mean CD4+/CD8+ ratio was 1.54 +/- 1.37 in those who died within 18 months postoperatively and 0.733 +/- 0.48 in others (P = .021).

CONCLUSION

Immune-mediated destruction of portal tracts is an integral part of pathogenesis of EHBA.

Liver glycogenoses: are they a possible cause of polyneuropathy? A cross-sectional study

We encountered two children suffering from liver glycogenoses (GSD) over a period of 5 years (1992-1997) who presented with a demyelinating peripheral neuropathy diagnosed by electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCV). The aim of the study was to evaluate the involvement of muscle and motor nerve in children suffering from liver glycogenoses. In a cross-sectional study, 22 children suffering from liver GSD (with no current neurological symptoms) and 20 age- and sex- matched clinically free children (control group) underwent creatine phospho-kinase (CPK), EMG, and NCV studies. Abnormal EMG and/or NCV studies were found in 11 children. Six (27.27 per cent) were found to have axonopathy, three (13.63 per cent) demyelinating polyneuropathy, and two (9.1 per cent) had mixed axonal and demyelinating neuropathy. Two children with axonopathy had GSD type VI, another had GSD type IV, and three had GSD of undiagnosed type. Three of those having a demyelinating polyneuropathy had GSD type III, another had GSD type IV, and the last had GSD of undiagnosed type. None were found to have a cardiomyopathy or a myopathy on EMG. This is the first report of neuropathy associated with GSD types III, IV, and VI in children. It might be discovered by EMG and/or NCV studies in a clinically, neurologically normal child suffering from GSD, or present as an acute polyneuropathy.

Regular radon activity concentration and effective dose measurements inside the great pyramid with passive nuclear track detectors

Radon activity concentrations and equilibrium factors inside the great pyramid of "Cheops" were measured with passive nuclear track detectors. The variation of these concentrations in location was investigated. Seasonal variation of radon activity concentrations with winter maximum and summer minimum were observed inside the pyramid. The 1-y average radon activity concentration ranged from a minimum of 20 to a maximum of 170 Bq m(-3). Results show that the yearly average equilibrium factor between radon and its progeny was assessed as 0.16 and 0.36 inside the pyramid and near entrance, respectively. Moreover, the estimated annual effective dose was 0.05 mSv to tour guides and varied from 0.19 to 0.36 mSv for the pyramid guards; for visitors the average effective dose was 0.15 microSv per visit. These are lower than the 3-10 mSv y(-1) dose limit recommend by ICRP 65.

Evaluation of the triangular cord sign in the diagnosis of biliary atresia

BACKGROUND

Infantile cholestasis continues to represent a diagnostic challenge. It is very important to diagnose surgically correctable disorders, such as biliary atresia, in a timely manner to prevent progressive damage to the liver. It has been recently suggested that the triangular cord (TC) sign is a simple and useful tool in the diagnosis of biliary atresia.

METHODS

We prospectively studied 65 infants presenting with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia (age range: 32-161 days). All patients underwent ultrasonographic examination with a 7.0-MHz transducer (Acuson, Mountain View, CA). The TC was defined as a triangular, or tubular, echogenic density seen immediately cranial to the portal vein bifurcation.

RESULTS

The TC sign was identified in 25 infants, and all of them had histologic features suggestive of biliary atresia; the diagnosis was confirmed at surgery by gross morphology of hepatobiliary system, and liver biopsy, with or without intraoperative cholangiogram. Among the 40 patients who did not have the TC sign, 6 had paucity of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Three had alph-1-antitrypsin deficiency, and 31 had neonatal hepatitis. None of the 40 patients who did not have the TC sign developed acholic stools. Seven patients with biliary atresia were followed by ultrasonographic examination for 6 months after the Kasai procedure. The TC sign disappeared in all patients after the surgery; however, the TC sign reappeared in 3 patients who developed progressive cholestasis after the procedure.

CONCLUSION

The TC sign is a simple, timesaving, and reliable diagnostic tool in the evaluation of infants with infantile cholestasis. The TC sign may also prove to be helpful in following patients after hepatoportoenterostomy. We suggest a new diagnostic strategy for patients suspected to have biliary atresia. When the TC sign is visualized, the patient should undergo intraoperative cholangiogram to confirm the diagnosis of biliary atresia, reserving percutaneous liver biopsy for those patients in whom the TC sign could not be detected.