Necrotizing fasciitis in children: diagnostic and therapeutic aspects

Background

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a severe life-threatening soft tissue infection characterized by rapidly spreading necrosis of the fascia and the subcutaneous tissue. Its incidence owing to invasive Streptococcus pyogenes has significantly increased in children recently. Our experience with NF in children to describe diagnostic and therapeutic aspects is hence presented herein.

Methods

Records of children who were treated for NF in our unit from 1999 to 2006, inclusive, were reviewed retrospectively. Information recorded for each patient included medical history, clinical characteristics, diagnostic procedures, treatment methods, and the outcome.

Results

Thirteen patients with a mean age of 35 months were treated for NF during the study period. All of the 13 children had no previous immunosuppression. The predisposing factors were composed of varicella lesions, intramuscular injections, application of a cream containing menthol to the cervical region, penetrant gluteal trauma, omphalitis, dental abscess, and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. The most common site of the initial involvement was the abdominal wall, followed by the gluteal region and thigh, head and neck, and upper and lower extremities. The initial skin presentations were induration or cellulitis and erythema and edema with progression to skin discoloration and bullae formation. Fever and tachycardia were the most common clinical features. S. pyogenes was the most common causative microorganism, followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All patients underwent extensive surgical debridement and received appropriate antibiotics and supportive therapy. Twelve patients survived, and 1 patient with delayed diagnosis of NF died of septic shock.

Conclusion

Although these infections are rare in children, their lethal potential and early diagnostic signs must be recognized. All children with NF should undergo early surgical debridement to prevent delay in treatment. The mortality and morbidity associated with NF in children can be decreased with clinical awareness, early diagnosis, and adequate and urgent surgical debridement followed by intensive supportive care and early wound resurfacing.     

Percutaneous nephrostomy in children: diagnostic and therapeutic importance

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous nephrostomy (PN) in terms of diagnostic and therapeutic approach in children with urological problems. PN was performed on 39 kidneys in 28 patients (12 girls, 16 boys) aged 4.5 months to 13 years (average 5.38±3.41 years) during the period from January 1996 to December 2003. Underlying abnormalities were ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in 14 patients (17 kidneys), ureterovesical junction obstruction (UVJO) in six patients (eight kidneys), supravesical obstruction due to tumour or hydatid cyst or ureteral stone in three patients (five kidneys), and severe vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) with/without neurogenic bladder associated with pyonephrotic kidneys in five patients (nine kidneys). The duration of catheter insertion was between 2 and 160 days (average 80±65.01 days). The complications were haematuria (six cases), infection (five cases) and displacement of catheter (four cases). Radical surgical management was performed in 25 patients (33 kidneys): pyeloplasty in eight cases (ten kidneys), UVJO correction in six cases (eight kidneys), nephrectomy in five cases (five kidneys), ureteroneocystostomy in four cases (seven kidneys), hydatid cyst operation in one case (two kidneys) and stone extraction in one case (one kidney). PN is an easy, safe and efficient diagnostic and therapeutic procedure with few complications in childhood.     

Spinal tuberculosis in children: Retrospective analysis of 124 patients

Background:

There is a paucity of report on spinal tuberculosis in children. We report a retrospective analysis of 124 children with TB spine treated over 30 years.

Materials and Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed 124 children; of cervical (n=36), cervicothoracic (n=4), thoracic (n=53), and lumbar and lumbosacral tuberculosis (n=31) with no skip or multifocal lesions treated between 1971-2004. The age ranged from 2 to 15 years of age with 28 children less than 5 years of age, 58 were between 6 and 10 years, and 38 were over 10 years, 18 had paraplegia of various degrees. Ninety-one children were treated conservatively, while 33 children were subjected to surgery for focal debridement (n=23), posterior interspinous wiring and cementation (n=4), and posterior instrumentation with rods and segmental wiring (n=14). Triple chemotherapy (isoniazid, streptomycin, and PAS) was given for 18 months (3HSPa, 15Hpa) between 1971 and 1975, and triple or quadruple chemotherapy (isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, or pyrazinamide) after 1976 to 2004 for 12 months (12RHZ or 12 RHZE). Some of the children in the current series belonged to the British MRC conservative study patients. The average duration of followup was 5 years and 8 months (range 1.6-20 years).

Results:

All children attained healed status and showed neural recovery (n=18). The patients attained healed status at 18 months in the first series and at 12 months in the second series after chemotherapy. Spontaneous intercorporal fusion occurred only in 10 (8.06%) of 124 children. Sagittal curve during growth showed three different patterns: Unchanged, decreased, and increased curves. The residual kyphosis was unavoidable in cases with growth plate damage. Kyphosis increased in cases with wedged monovertebra and fused wedged block vertebra, though it was different at different level.

Conclusion:

The vertebral reformation and curve correction were possible only through the growth plates. The posterior instrumented stabilization alone could correct and/or prevent progress of the kyphosis. However, for active tuberculosis, posterior instrumented stabilization combined with anterior radical surgery should be reserved only for the advanced tuberculosis with instability, rapid progress of kyphosis, and/or unacceptable pre-existing kyphosis, though there is a new trend of prophylactic posterior instrumentation even for the early tuberculosis.     

Benign hepatic tumors: diagnostic management and therapeutic outcome

The number of non-malignant tumors of the liver diagnosis has greatly increased with widespread use of abdominal ultrasonography. Unlike hemangioma and focal nodular hyperplasia does not require surgery as does hepatocellular adenoma due to the risk of fatal complications. Differentiation between these three kinds of benign tumors is of prime importance to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions. Progress in medical imaging facilitates identification of hemangioma and focal nodular hyperplasia, but in case of doubt, histological proof must be obtained. Laparoscopy may be indicated not only for diagnostic but also for therapeutic purposes.     

少儿脊柱结核的临床特点分析

目的:总结少儿脊柱结核的临床特点,为其诊断和治疗提供参考。方法:对2006年1月~2012年12月我院收治的112例少年儿童脊柱结核患者归纳分析其首诊原因、病程、受累节段、受累椎体数、后凸Cobb角、瘫痪情况,并分析病程、受累椎体数和后凸Cobb角之间的相关性,同时根据年龄将患者分成婴幼儿(0~3岁)、学龄前儿童(4~6岁)、学龄儿童(7~12岁)、少年(13~17岁)四组并进行比较。将脊柱分为脊柱上段(颈段、颈胸段、胸段)和脊柱下段(胸腰段、腰段、腰骶段和骶段)并对其所占的比例进行比较。根据脊髓神经功能将患者分为瘫痪组和非瘫痪组,比较两组的病程、受累椎体数和后凸Cobb角。根据后凸Cobb角,以30°为界分为两组,比较其瘫痪发生率。结果:少儿脊柱结核最常见首诊原因为疼痛,病程平均5.3±10.9个月(1.5~72个月),受累椎体数平均2.9±1.0个(1~6个),累及胸椎最为常见。后凸Cobb角平均15.7°±17.0°(0~90.5°),后凸Cobb角、受累椎体数、病程之间有相关性(r为0.384~0.666,P0.05)。瘫痪组的Cobb角角度、受累椎体数和病程均显著大于非瘫痪组(P0.05);Cobb角≥30°组发生瘫痪的比率(11/18,61.1%)明显高于Cobb角30°组(12/70,17.1%)。比较四个年龄组的患者,疼痛和瘫痪在首诊原因中所占的比率具有显著性差异(X~2=32.695,P0.05);瘫痪发生率具有显著性差异,婴幼儿组(8/19,42.1%)和学龄前儿童组(8/31,25.8%)发生瘫痪的比率明显高于学龄儿童组(4/39,10.3%)和少年组(3/23,13.0%)。四个年龄组患者的病程、脊柱上段和脊柱下段的发病率、受累椎体数、后凸Cobb角无显著性差异(P0.05)。结论:少儿脊柱结核以疼痛首诊和病变累及胸椎最为常见,其后凸Cobb角、受累椎体数和病程之间具有相关性。少儿脊柱结核中瘫痪患者的后凸Cobb角、受累椎体数和病程均显著大于非瘫痪患者。幼儿和学龄前儿童以及后凸Cobb角≥30°者发生瘫痪的几率较高。     

脊椎结核的18F-FDG PET/CT表现及诊断价值

目的探讨18F-FDG PET/CT对脊椎结核的诊断价值。方法回顾我院10例脊椎结核的PET/CT表现,SUV>2.5定为放射性摄取增高,并对比MRI图像,分析其对脊椎结核的诊断符合率。随访时间为12～24个月。结果有完整资料的10例脊椎结核患者,MRI诊断脊柱结核6例(60%),其余均诊断为转移瘤。18F-FDG PET/CT诊断脊椎结核10例,共计16个椎体,其中4例为单一椎体受累,6例患者表现为2个连续椎体同时受累,以胸腰段椎体为主。PET/CT和MRl检出病灶率相同,均为100%,定性诊断正确率分别为100%和60%,二者定性诊断比较有统计学意义。结论 PET/CT在诊断脊椎骨结核方面优于MRI,能为临床的诊治提供更准确的影像信息。     

ERCP experience in patients with choledochoduodenostomy: diagnostic findings and therapeutic management

Background  

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), besides reducing the need for surgery in a wide spectrum of biliary disease, is increasingly be used for the treatment of biliary complications of surgery. In this paper, we review our experience with postoperative ERCPs required after biliary surgery with a special focus on side-to-side choledochoduodenostomy (CD).     

The use of diagnostic and therapeutic colonofibroscopy in children]

The results of investigation of the large intestine in 187 children were analysed. Of them, in 28 the terminal ileum was as well examined. In 38 patients with polyps and intestinal invagination, colonoscopy was performed in combination with endoscopy. Colonofibroscopy was used as a primary method of study to establish the causes of intestinal hemorrhage, colitis syndrome. The method has a high informative value, permits to extend the diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities in pediatric proctology.     

Sildenafil test: Changes in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of erectile dysfunction

Objective: To assess the efficacy of sildenafil as a first-step diagnostic and therapeutic tool for erectile dysfunction (ED) and to evaluate the consequent changes in the management of male sexual insufficiency.Materials and methods: Sildenafil in titrating doses up to 100 mg was prescribed to 50 men presenting to a sexual dysfunction clinic with medically documented ED. They had not undergone any specific diagnostic test before starting sildenafil.Results: Of the 50 men, 24 (48%) responded to sildenafil. Of these, 8 (33.3%) responded to 50 mg and 16 (66.7%) to 100 mg of sildenafil. Of the responders, 9 representing 18% of all studied men were discharged achieving spontaneous erections in a mean follow-up of 5.3 months. Men with no medical history, men with hypertension and men with mild coronary artery disease responded better.Conclusions: The sildenafil test revealed that 48% of men responded to this therapy with no requirement for more invasive tests and that 18% of men required no further treatment at all. In addition this test reduced the overall cost of the diagnostic investigation. It is proposed that the sildenafil test should be used in cases with no significant medical history or in men with hypertension or mild coronary artery disease although almost all men with ED could be categorized as sildenafil-responders or sildenafil-resistant. It is also suggested that the sildenafil test would result in the ability for more men with ED to be managed exclusively in the primary care sector.     

Safe sedation of children for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures

There is an increasing use of sedation in children requiring imaging and other minor procedures. This article will discuss how sedation can be safely performed. The depth of sedation has been classified into minimal, moderate and deep according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Amongst others, benefits of sedation include increased parental and child satisfaction, increased cost ben- efits for the hospital and reduced adverse effects of general anaes- thesia such as emergence delirium and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Safe sedation can be used for a wide range of procedures, most commonly for CT and MRI. Others include removing drains, changing burns dressings, simple plastic surgery procedures and endoscopy. Drugs can be used as sole agents or in combination to produce the desired level of sedation appropriate for the procedure. The children must be monitored according to the depth of sedation and personnel should be trained in the management of potential complications.     

Safe sedation of children for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures

There is an increasing use of sedation in children requiring imaging and other minor procedures. This article will discuss how sedation can be safely performed. The depth of sedation has been classified into minimal, moderate and deep according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Amongst others, benefits of sedation include increased parental and child satisfaction, increased cost ben- efits for the hospital and reduced adverse effects of general anaes- thesia such as emergence delirium and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Safe sedation can be used for a wide range of procedures, most commonly for CT and MRI. Others include removing drains, changing burns dressings, simple plastic surgery procedures and endoscopy. Drugs can be used as sole agents or in combination to produce the desired level of sedation appropriate for the procedure. The children must be monitored according to the depth of sedation and personnel should be trained in the management of potential complications.     

Surgical intervention for pulmonary tuberculosis: analysis of indications and perioperative data relating to diagnostic and therapeutic resections.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the data on patients operated on for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) with (Group I) or without (Group II) a correct TB diagnosis and preoperative anti-TB treatment. METHODS: Between 1980 and 1997, 144 resections for TB (Groups I+II) were performed. The 80 patients in Group I underwent therapeutic resections: 32 cases involved recurrent cavities or tuberculomas, three involved post-TB bronchiectasis, 13 involved progression of cavities or tuberculomas, and 32 involved persistent tuberculomas after 6 months of anti-TB therapy. The 64 patients in Group II were operated on for a suspicion of malignancy in 49 cases, for cavitary lesions with haemophthysis in six cases, for multiple lesions in seven cases, and for recurrent hydrothorax in two cases. RESULTS: Groups I and II included 0 and five pneumonectomies, 32 and 29 lobectomies, 48 and 20 wedge resections, 0 and nine videothoracoscopic biopsies, and 0 and one hilar lymphadenectomy, respectively. In Groups I and II, the mean duration of postoperative hospitalization was 13.2 and 10.4 days, and the frequency of postoperative pneumothorax was 11.25 and 4.6%, respectively. The incidence of bronchopleural fistula was 1.25 and 0%, the mortality was 0 and 3.1%, and the morbidity was 53.7 and 35.9% in Groups I and II, respectively. Two patients with active disease died in Group II. Pathology demonstrated that the frequency of acid-fast bacilli in Groups I and II was 40 and 25%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients without a correct preoperative TB diagnosis underwent more extensive parenchyma resection. Postoperative complications increased when acid-fast bacilli were present. The lack of preoperative anti-TB treatment did not involve a higher risk of minor complications, but death occurred only in this group.     

Spinal tuberculosis: A review

Abstract

Spinal tuberculosis is a destructive form of tuberculosis. It accounts for approximately half of all cases of musculoskeletal tuberculosis. Spinal tuberculosis is more common in children and young adults. The incidence of spinal tuberculosis is increasing in developed nations. Genetic susceptibility to spinal tuberculosis has recently been demonstrated. Characteristically, there is destruction of the intervertebral disk space and the adjacent vertebral bodies, collapse of the spinal elements, and anterior wedging leading to kyphosis and gibbus formation. The thoracic region of vertebral column is most frequently affected. Formation of a ‘cold’ abscess around the lesion is another characteristic feature. The incidence of multi-level noncontiguous vertebral tuberculosis occurs more frequently than previously recognized. Common clinical manifestations include constitutional symptoms, back pain, spinal tenderness, paraplegia, and spinal deformities. For the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis magnetic resonance imaging is more sensitive imaging technique than x-ray and more specific than computed tomography. Magnetic resonance imaging frequently demonstrates involvement of the vertebral bodies on either side of the disk, disk destruction, cold abscess, vertebral collapse, and presence of vertebral column deformities. Neuroimaging-guided needle biopsy from the affected site in the center of the vertebral body is the gold standard technique for early histopathological diagnosis. Antituberculous treatment remains the cornerstone of treatment. Surgery may be required in selected cases, e.g. large abscess formation, severe kyphosis, an evolving neurological deficit, or lack of response to medical treatment. With early diagnosis and early treatment, prognosis is generally good.     

Spinal tuberculosis: a review

Spinal tuberculosis is a destructive form of tuberculosis. It accounts for approximately half of all cases of musculoskeletal tuberculosis. Spinal tuberculosis is more common in children and young adults. The incidence of spinal tuberculosis is increasing in developed nations. Genetic susceptibility to spinal tuberculosis has recently been demonstrated. Characteristically, there is destruction of the intervertebral disk space and the adjacent vertebral bodies, collapse of the spinal elements, and anterior wedging leading to kyphosis and gibbus formation. The thoracic region of vertebral column is most frequently affected. Formation of a 'cold' abscess around the lesion is another characteristic feature. The incidence of multi-level noncontiguous vertebral tuberculosis occurs more frequently than previously recognized. Common clinical manifestations include constitutional symptoms, back pain, spinal tenderness, paraplegia, and spinal deformities. For the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis magnetic resonance imaging is more sensitive imaging technique than x-ray and more specific than computed tomography. Magnetic resonance imaging frequently demonstrates involvement of the vertebral bodies on either side of the disk, disk destruction, cold abscess, vertebral collapse, and presence of vertebral column deformities. Neuroimaging-guided needle biopsy from the affected site in the center of the vertebral body is the gold standard technique for early histopathological diagnosis. Antituberculous treatment remains the cornerstone of treatment. Surgery may be required in selected cases, e.g. large abscess formation, severe kyphosis, an evolving neurological deficit, or lack of response to medical treatment. With early diagnosis and early treatment, prognosis is generally good.