Evaluation of children with possible appendicitis using technetium 99m leukocyte scan

We evaluated the use of technetium 99m albumin colloid white blood cell (TAC-WBC) scan in 33 children with possible appendicitis. Ten children had appendicitis, four of whom had perforated their appendix at the time of surgery. Children with appendicitis differed from children without appendicitis in the incidence of right lower quadrant rebound tenderness (60% vs 17.4%), and white blood cell count (X10(3)/mm3) (14.0 + 1.9 vs 10.7 +/- 1.0). TAC-WBC scans were interpreted as either positive, negative, or indeterminate for appendiceal pathology. Twenty-five children had positive or negative scans for appendiceal pathology. There were 7 true positives, 2 false positives, 16 true negatives, and 0 false negatives. This resulted in a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 89%, an accuracy of 92%, a positive predictive value of 78%, and a negative predictive value of 100%. The TAC-WBC scan was indeterminate (abnormal but nondiagnostic for appendicitis) in eight children (24%), three of whom had appendicitis. The main values of TAC-WBC scan in our study of children with possible appendicitis were that it could be used emergently, it was abnormal in 100% of children with appendicitis, and it had a high negative predictive value (100%). The main limitation of TAC-WBC scan in our study was that it was indeterminate for appendiceal pathology in 24% of children. We recommend that TAC-WBC scan be used in children with possible appendicitis because it may allow outpatient management of up to 48%.     

Colonoscopy and technetium-99m white cell scan in children with suspected inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVES: To determine the utility of the technetium-labeled autologous white cell scintigraphy (Tc-WCS) for detecting intestinal inflammation in children with suspected inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Tc-WCS was compared with colonoscopy and histologic examination. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-eight children (26 boys; median age, 10 years; range, 2-17 years) with symptoms and signs suggesting IBD had colonoscopy with exploration of terminal ileum and mucosal biopsies. The scans were judged to be abnormal if activity was seen in the gut within the first hour. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients had a diagnosis of IBD (Crohn's disease, 13; ulcerative colitis, 5; indeterminate colitis, 3); results of scintigraphy were positive in 16 and negative in 5 (sensitivity, 76.2%); the latter had a moderate degree of intestinal inflammation. In 27 patients, IBD was ruled out. Results of scintigraphy were negative in children with non-specific colitis and in those with lymphoid hyperplasia of the terminal ileum, whereas results were positive in 6 of 12 patients with spondyloarthropathy. In children with IBD, there was a significant correlation between results of scintigraphy and endoscopy for the intensity of inflammation (r = 0.70); however, there was a poor correlation regarding the number of involved segments (r = 0.30) because in 16 patients, endoscopy revealed additional diseased segments as compared with scintigraphy. CONCLUSIONS: A positive Tc-WCS result indicates the presence of an inflammatory process of the gut, whereas a negative test result does not rule out intestinal inflammation, especially when the latter is of moderate degree. Colonoscopy and biopsy are the investigations of choice to establish the diagnosis of IBD and are superior to Tc-WCS in assessing topographic extension of IBD.     

Use of CT scan in the diagnosis of pediatric acute appendicitis

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of CT scan in the diagnosis of pediatric appendicitis has hot been established. METHODS: Every patient under the age of 18 who was diagnosed and treated for acute appendicitis in the 1 year period from March 1998-March 1999 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center were included. The presentation, laboratory evaluation, imaging evaluation, hospital course, and pathologic evaluation were reviewed. Selected imaging studies were reviewed by an independent radiologist. RESULTS: Forty-six patients were treated for appendicitis; 17 of them received CT scans (37%). The CT scans predicted appendicitis in 9 of 17 cases (sensitivity = 53%). False-negative studies resulted in some morbidity but no mortality. The radiology review indicated that three cases clearly did not demonstrate appendicitis. The other false-negative studies were secondary to either technical or professional factors. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of CT imaging in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children has still not been demonstrated. This limited series indicates that if CT scanning is to be used in pediatric patients, more attention to technical and professional factors may be required. Some of these factors, particularly the ingestion of oral contrast, are particularly problematic in small children and may limit the effectiveness of this modality.     

Ultrasound study of acute appendicitis in children with emphasis upon the diagnosis of retrocecal appendicitis

Acute appendicitis in children frequently presents equivocal clinical manifestations. Delay of the proper diagnosis and unnecessary laparotomies are common. Abdominal ultrasound has proved to be useful in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in adults. We have performed a preoperative ultrasound study in 368 children with acute appendicitis. Among them, 92 had a retrocecal appendicitis. Ultrasound established the correct diagnosis in 92.6% of patients, and in 94.5% of those with a retrocecal appendicitis. At our institution an abdominal sonography is performed on any child with a doubtful clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis, helping the surgeon to take the decision to perform a laparotomy.Presented at the ESPR meeting in Dubin 1989. Selected for publication by an International Group of the ESPR     

Role of imaging in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children

The aim of the study was to investigate the place of imaging in the diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis. The files of 2,427 children with suspected acute appendicitis were reviewed for clinical management and operative findings. The sample was divided into 3 groups at time of admission: (1) before diagnostic imaging was available in our department (1991-1994); (2) after the introduction of imaging studies on a random basis in equivocal cases (1995-1998); and (3) after a policy was formulated for ultrasound use in all equivocal cases followed by computed tomography if necessary (1999-2000). Results showed that the rate of misdiagnosis decreased from 13.2% in group 1 to 6.5% in group 2 and 6.1% in group 3. False-positive findings (normal appendix with positive scan) were noted in 16.7% of group 2 and 25% of group 3; false-negative findings (appendicitis at surgery with negative scan) in 23.8% and 9.5%, respectively. Computed tomography was performed in 8 children and prevented unnecessary surgery in 4 of them. We conclude that in equivocal cases of acute appendicitis, imaging studies performed by skilled operators can improve the accuracy of diagnosis, saving patients unnecessary surgery, and identifying other conditions that mimic appendicitis.     

Hepatobiliary scintigraphy with technetium-99m disofenin in the evaluation of neonatal cholestasis

To assess the reliability of technetium-99m disofenin scanning in evaluating neonatal cholestasis, 33 neonates (less than 3 months of age) with direct hyperbilirubinemia were evaluated prospectively by cholescintigraphy. Results of this test were compared to those of standard serum tests of liver function, ultrasonography, and liver biopsy. The diagnosis of biliary atresia was suggested by a serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) greater than 300 units/L, absence of the gallbladder on ultrasonography, and a lack of detectable radioisotope in the gastrointestinal and/or extrahepatic biliary tract on cholescintigraphy. Each of these tests lacked sensitivity and/or specificity when compared to liver biopsy. Of the nine neonates with biliary atresia, three had gallbladders identified by ultrasonography and two had gamma-GTP less than 300 units/L. Of the 24 neonates without biliary atresia, eight had cholescintigraphy without detectable radioisotope excretion, four had ultrasonography that failed to visualize the gallbladder, and nine had gamma-GTP greater than 300 units/L. Cholescintigraphy excluded the diagnosis of biliary atresia when gut and/or extrahepatic biliary excretion of isotope was seen. However, cholescintigraphy required more time, 6-8 days, and was less specific than ultrasonography and liver biopsy. We recommend that cholescintigraphy should not be routinely used in evaluating neonatal cholestasis, especially if it delays surgical intervention.     

Comparison of differential renal function using technetium-99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) and technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renography in a paediatric population

BACKGROUND: In children who have undergone both 99mTc-DMSA and 99mTc-MAG3 studies for the assessment of differential renal function (DRF) and drainage, respectively, we have noticed good agreement between the calculated DRF values, and hypothesized that there is no significant difference in DRF values calculated from these tests. Therefore, both tests may not always be necessary. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is a statistically significant difference between DRF values calculated using 99mTc-DMSA and those calculated using 99mTc-MAG3. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified children imaged with 99mTc-DMSA and 99mTc-MAG3. We recorded DRF values, age, indication, and renal pelvis diameter. For the 99mTc-DMSA studies we recorded the imaging time after injection. For the 99mTc-MAG3 studies we recorded the delay between injection and data acquisition, diuretic use and evidence of delayed drainage or reflux. RESULTS: We identified 100 episodes in 92 children where both 99mTc-DMSA and 99mTc-MAG3 scans had been performed within a few days. The commonest indication was urinary tract infection or pelviureteric junction obstruction. The mean age of the children was 6.96 years. A significant but clinically acceptable trend was seen between abnormal DRF and difference between tests. A significant link was found with the difference between tests and the time of imaging after DMSA injection, and also with scarring. No significant effect was caused by renal pelvis dilatation, delayed drainage, frusemide administration, or delayed 99mTc-MAG3 imaging. CONCLUSION: If a 99mTc-MAG3 study has been performed then a 99mTc-DMSA study is unnecessary provided DRF is normal on the 99mTc-MAG3 study and there is no scarring. A change in practice would lead to considerable savings in time, cost and radiation burden.     

小儿急性阑尾炎循证的计算机辅助诊断

目的　根据循证医学原理 ,采用计算机辅助的小儿阑尾炎评分系统对小儿阑尾炎病例进行分析 ,寻找增加诊断准确率的新方法。方法　检索文献 ,收集小儿急性阑尾炎的诊断证据 ,得出经评估在诊断中具有显著意义的征候 ,以Bayes条件概率数学模型 ,QBASIC语言编制计算机程序。采用该程序对 1999年 1月～ 2 0 0 3年 6月总计 2 37例入院诊断为急性阑尾炎小儿病例进行分析。结果　未手术组 83例 ,诊断概率均值为 0 .10 2 1± 0 .2 5 ;手术治疗组 15 4例 ,其中临床误诊组 8例 ,平均诊断概率为 0 .15 2 5± 0 .2 5 4 ;病理诊断为阑尾炎 14 6例 ,诊断概率 0 .8712± 0 .2 7,符合率 95 .89%。阑尾炎组诊断概率与误诊组或手术组相比P <0 .0 1。结论　本程序对小儿阑尾炎具有较高的诊断准确性 ,是一种简便、快捷和相对精确的辅助诊断工具 ,也适用于小儿阑尾炎治疗方法的选择。     

Advancements in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children and adolescents.

The aim of our study was to further improve the preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children and adolescents. All diagnostic parameters from the patients' medical history (duration and quality of abdominal pain, stool behaviour), the laboratory (leukocytes, C-reactive protein), the clinic (defense, tenderness on percussion, nausea, vomiting, dry tongue) and repeated ultrasound investigations (visualisation of the appendix, indirect signs of an inflammatory process in the appendix region) were documented prospectively and were re-assessed with regard to their diagnostic value. As an additional parameter, procalcitonin was determined. 1156 patients (593 male/563 female) with a mean age of 9.51 years (+/- 1.2 yrs) (max. 15 yrs/min. 2.3 yrs), referred to the department with acute abdominal pain, were examined. 233 (141 male/92 female; 20.1 %) of these patients with a mean age of 10.47 years (+/- 1.1 yr) had appendicitis. Based on the patients' medical history, laboratory findings, the initial clinical investigation and the initial ultrasound investigation, 173 patients (74.3 % of the later operated 233 children with appendicitis) were diagnosed with certainty. The diagnosis of 60 patients (25.7 %) of this group remained uncertain. These patients received a saline enema (Clysmol, Pharmacia & Upjohn Company) and were subjected to a second clinical and sonographic investigation after approximately four hours of parenteral fluid substitution (Ringer's lactate, Mayrhofer Pharmazeutika Company, 4 ml/kg/h). The other 923 patients (79.83 %) were discharged and were followed up as outpatients in the following days. Based on this stepwise procedure, the percentage of correctly diagnosed appendicitis could be increased to 97.4 %. The measurement of procalcitonin proved to be of no value in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. It may be concluded that in children with abdominal pain, high diagnostic accuracy can only be achieved by a carefully combined evaluation of all individual diagnostic parameters and repeated investigations.     

核素^99M锝心肌灌注显像技术诊断小儿心肌炎的临床应用

为观察核素^mmM锝心肌灌注显像技术诊断小儿心肌炎的临床应用价值。采用周围血管静脉注射核素^99MTCMIBI,SPECT摄像对28例病毒性心肌炎患儿进行检查。结果：26例阳性,2例阴性。该法在本次调查的病例中敏感性达92.8%（26/28例）,且早期检查阳性率更高。病变部位分布在：左室最多占76.9%,右室次之,心房少见,同时对2例伤寒中毒性心肌炎,1例甲亢及1例植物神经紊乱患儿进行该检查,结果：2例伤寒中毒性心肌炎阳性,其它2例阴性。说明核素^99M锝心肌灌注显像技术在诊断小儿心肌受扣方面是有价值的,但无病原学诊断价值。此法在诊断病毒性心肌炎时应排除其它心脏疾病。可作为疑似心肌炎的辅助诊断检查。     

~(99m) Tc放射性核素肾静态扫描在发热性尿路感染急性期预测膀胱输尿管反流的效能评价

目的 评价~(99m)Tc放射性核素肾静态扫描(DMSA)在婴幼儿发热性尿路感染急性期预测膀胱输尿管反流(VUR)的作用,探讨DMSA和排泄性膀胱尿路造影(MCU)在发热性尿路感染中应用的优先次序.方法 回顾性分析总结2000年1月到2009年12月间因发热性尿路感染就诊的年龄≤2岁婴幼儿的医疗记录和影像学资料.入组患儿均在就诊后1周内接受DMSA肾扫描、在感染控制后1周内行MCU检查.根据MCU检查结果分为无反流组、低级别VUR组和高级别VUR组.结果 共有370例患儿(男233例,女137例)纳入本研究,其中263例(71.1%)DMSA结果提示异常;126例经MCU证实患VUR(34.1%),其中高级别VUB(Ⅲ～Ⅴ级)为103例(占到所有VUR的81.7%).高级别VUR组DMSA结果异常率明显高于无反流组和低级别VUR组,其差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).DMSA检出高级别VUR(经MCU确诊)的敏感性为99.0%,阴性预测值为99.1%,阴性似然比(LR-)为0.03.结论 高级别VUR是婴幼儿发生肾损害的一个重要危险因素,DMSA检查为阴性的尿路感染患儿中高级别VUR的可能性较小.在婴幼儿发热性尿路感染急性期,DMSA在检出肾损害的同时对高级别VUR也有较好的预测能力,其应用次序可考虑优先于MCU.     

小儿急性阑尾炎的诊治体会

目的 探讨儿童急性阑尾炎的诊治特点。方法 回顾1998年6月～2003年6月期间四川大学华西医院收治的940例小儿急性阑尾炎临床资料，总结其临床特点及处理经验。结果 本组940例，发热、腹痛、右下腹固定压痛及白细胞升高为最主要表现，939例经手术及病理检查证实诊断，术后均痊愈，其中18例有白血病、血液系统疾病及其他原发疾病的患儿，确诊后也经手术治疗痊愈。另1例有原发白血病的患儿经内科治疗缓解后离院，预后不详。结论 发热、腹痛、右下腹固定压痛及白细胞升高仍是诊断小儿急性阑尾炎的最主要依据，并且小儿阑尾炎一经诊断应尽早处理，年龄越小，越应积极手术。对合并其他原发疾病的阑尾炎患儿，在充分准备的情况下仍可进行外科治疗，以防严重并发症发生。     

Renal functional reserve in children with a history of hemolytic uremic syndrome through technetium-99m diethylene-triamine-penta-acetic acid clearance

Protein loads in normal subjects increase glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which implies a renal functional reserve (RFR). Patients who have suffered a loss in the number of nephrons may show normal values of GFR due to hyperfiltration of remnant nephrons, with subsequent loss of RFR. This could be an early sign of renal damage, and probably a contributory factor to renal damage progress. The objective of this study is to determine the RFR through technetium-99m diethylene-triamine-penta-acetic acid (99m Tc-DTPA) clearance in patients who have recovered from hemolytic uremic syndrome. Renal functional reserve was determined in 33 children from 2 to 16 years old, with normal values of proteinuria, serum creatinine and creatinine clearance after over a year of having suffered hemolitic uremic syndrome. For that purpose 99m Tc-DTPA clearance was determined in basal condition and following protein load. In 17 patients DTPA clearance increased 20% or more after protein load compared to basal condition, and they were considered to have normal RFR, a probably index of totally recovered renal function; in the remaining 16 patients the increases were lower than 20%, and were considered to have no RFR, condition that was postulated as a contributing factor to renal damage progress. There was not significant differences either in age or basal GFR between both groups. Being the test easier than inuline clearance and more accurate than creatinine clearance, it proves particularly useful for early diagnosis of patients that need special follow-up and treatment.     

核素心室显像对小儿病毒性心肌炎心功能的评价

单光子发射型计算机断层扫描(SPECT)用于缺血性心脏病取得了令人满意的效果,但对小儿病毒性心肌炎(简称心肌炎)的研究多集中于心肌断层显像方面。我们用门控平衡法心室显像测定了小儿心肌炎左室局部射血分数(rEF)和局部轴缩短率(rRS),以探讨rEF、rRS对诊断心肌炎左室局部收缩功能和运动状态的临床意义。现将检查结果报告如下。     

Acute appendicitis in children: comparison of clinical diagnosis with ultrasound and CT imaging

Background. There is strong evidence that imaging with ultrasound and CT can be of substantial diagnostic value in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children, but there is limited information of the impact of imaging on the management of these patients and its possible effect on surgical findings.¶Objective. We studied the impact of imaging in the management of acute appendicitis, in particular its effect on the rate of negative appendectomies and perforations.¶Patients and methods. We reviewed retrospectively the clinical records and imaging findings of 633 consecutive children and adolescents seen on an emergency basis with clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis. Two hundred seventy patients were operated upon on clinical evidence alone, while 360 were referred for US or CT, and occasionally both, because of doubtful clinical findings.¶Results. Acute appendicitis was found in 237 of those on clinical grounds alone, 68 of whom had perforation and related complications. Thus the rate of negative exploration and the rate of perforation were13 % and 29 %, respectively. One hundred eighty-two patients had preoperative US (sensitivity 74 %, specificity 94 %), 119 had CT (sensitivity 84 %, specificity 99 %), and 59 had both US and CT (sensitivity 75 %, specificity 100 %, but often with interpretation at variance with each other). The rate of negative appendectomy and perforation was 8 % and 23 %, respectively, for US, 5 % and 54 % for CT, and 9 % and 71 % when both examinations were performed. There is no statistical significance between the rates of diagnostic performance of US, CT, or their combination, nor between the negative appendectomy rates of each group, but the rate of perforation was significantly higher when CT was performed, alone or after US.¶Conclusion. The retrospective nature of the study prevents precise definition of the clinical characteristics and selection criteria for diagnostic examinations that may contribute to the management of children with suspected acute appendicitis. It was designed, however, to reflect the diagnostic approach and management of these patients, under the care of many decision makers and interpreters of imaging examinations, prevalent today in most hospital-based clinical practices. It is suggested that imaging increases diagnostic accuracy in difficult cases, but it might be one of the factors increasing the rate of perforations.     

Delayed diagnosis of appendicitis in children treated with antibiotics

The diagnosis of appendicitis in children can be difficult. Misdiagnosis may result in empirical treatment with antibiotics. The aim of this study was to determine whether initial treatment with antibiotics hindered subsequent diagnosis of appendicitis. Retrospective review of 311 children treated for appendicitis between 1999 and 2004. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1: (n = 45) received antibiotics prior to a definitive diagnosis of appendicitis. Group 2: (n = 266) did not receive antibiotics prior to a diagnosis of appendicitis. Group 1 patients were significantly younger and more likely to be female than in group 2. Abdominal tenderness was less marked and there was a greater reliance on radiological investigations in patients receiving antibiotics. C-reactive protein and pre-operative temperature were significantly higher in group 1 patients compared to group 2. The perforation rate and complication rate were significantly greater in group 1. The commonest misdiagnoses were urinary tract infection and respiratory infection. Initial misdiagnosis results in significant delay before appendicectomy. This study shows that the clinical signs of acute appendicitis can be masked by prior treatment with antibiotics. The diagnosis of acute appendicitis must be considered and, if necessary, excluded in all children seen with abdominal pain who have recently been treated with antibiotics.Presented at 52nd Annual International Congress of the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons. Dublin, Ireland, July 2005.