Tuberculous meningitis in children

Between May 1988 and November 1992 the data from 52 patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) were noted down for their symptoms and signs, BCG vaccines, PPD tests; clinical, laboratory, radiologic and microbiologic findings. These data were discussed by means of literature knowledge. Cranial computed tomography (CT) demonstrated hydrocephalus (HC) in 98% of the patients. There was a statistically significant difference among the clinical stages on admission in respect to prognosis (P < 0.05). In addition, there was also a significant relationship between prognosis and HC (P < 0.05). However, we did not find any significant relationship between parenchymal involvement, basilar meningitis and prognosis (P > 0.05).     

Tuberculous peritonitis mimicking peritonitis carcinomatosis: a case report

A 13-year-old girl presented with non-specific symptoms of peritonitis, low grade fever and missed her normal menses. Computed tomography of her abdomen and pelvic cavity showed omental cake and a generalised thickened peritoneum. An elevated serum cancer antigen-125 (CA-125) level of 1248.5 U/ml was also noted and a diagnosis of peritonitis carcinomatosis was first suspected. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed multiple tubercles over the whole peritoneum and the pathology report described granulomatous nodules with giant cells and epithelioid cells. Culture of the ascitic fluid revealed Mycobacterium tuberculosis which resulted in a final diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis. The patients fever and abdominal distension gradually subsided after anti-tuberculosis treatment. The serum CA-125 level also decreased significantly to 10.2 U/ml after treatment. Conclusion:cancer antigen-125 levels may serve as a potential follow-up marker of disease activity and treatment response in tuberculous peritonitis.Abbreviation CA-125 cancer antigen-125     

Primary peritonitis in infants and children

Primary peritonitis is a diffuse in fammation of the peritoneal cavity for which there is no obvious focus of infection. During the last 15 years, at two children's hospitals, the authors have treated a total of 25 infants and children with primary peritonitis, excluding those with cirrhosis, nephrosis, or a neurosurgical ventriculoperitoneal shunt. All but one of the patients were female and 19 were between 5 and 10 years old. Presenting picture was one of the short onset with high fever, vomiting, and generalized peritonitis. The infants and children were listless and toxic, and 10 had white blood cell counts over 15,000. All were operated on with the diagnosis of ruptured appendicitis. The operative findings were typical in all cases: negative laparotomy, diffuse serositis, and cloudy, slimy peritoneal fluid. Appendectomy without drainage was performed in each case. In our series, 14 peritoneal cultures were negative, 7 grew Escherichia coli, 3 a streptococcal species, and one pneumococcus and meningococcus. The morbidity and mortality in our series was 0%; this was almost certainly due to antibiotics.Offprint requests to: S. H. Ein     

Clinical spectrum of tuberculous pleural effusion in children

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and potentially diagnostic specimens of pediatric patients with tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) to make a prompt diagnosis. METHODS: Children who had TPE from September 1997 to December 2003 were retrospectively reviewed at a tertiary pediatric facility in northern Taiwan. RESULTS: There were seven boys and six girls and their ages ranged from 10 to 17 years (average, 14.6 years). Tuberculosis contact history was identified in only six patients (46%). Fever (12/92%), cough (9/69%) and malaise (6/46%) were the most common symptoms. Normal leukocyte count was found in 12 patients (92%). Chest radiograph review showed unilateral pleural effusion in 12 patients (92%) but parenchymal involvement was found in nine patients (69%). Most of the pleural fluid analysis showed a lymphocytic exudative effusion (5/6). The acid-fast bacilli (AFB) stain of sputum, gastric washing, and pleural aspirate was positive in six of 11 (55%), two of seven (29%), and one of five (20%) patients, respectively. Culture of sputum, gastric washing, and pleural aspirate yielded Mycobacterium tuberculosis in four of 11 (36%), two of seven (29%), and two of five (40%) patients, respectively. A total of 6 to 9 months of multiple-drug therapy for tuberculosis was successful without sequale. CONCLUSIONS: Tuberculous pleural effusion usually presents as an acute illness and should always be considered in the differential diagnosis for older children and adolescents with pneumonia. A normal leukocyte count with a lymphocytic exudative effusion may provide a clue to the correct diagnosis of TPE. Diagnostic specimen of sputum seems more effective and sensitive in childhood TPE, especially those having pulmonary involvement.     

Alveolar soft part sarcoma in children and adolescents: Clinical features and outcome of 11 patients

The clinical features and response to therapy of pediatric alveolar soft part sarcoma, a rare soft tissue sarcoma of uncertain histogenesis, have not been previously described in detail in the literature. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical characteristics of all patients with alveolar soft part sarcoma who were seen at our institution over a 32-year period. We found 11 patients with the diagnosis of alveolar soft part sarcoma. Their ages ranged from 2.8–16 years (median 9.8). Staging was determined using the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study clinical grouping system and the UICC TNM system. Accordingly, there were six patients with grossly resected tumors (clinical groups I and II) and five with unresected or metastatic disease (clinical groups III and IV). Children with resected disease were more likely to have smaller noninvasive tumors. The main feature predictive of survival was tumor resectability, since chemotherapy in various combinations failed to produce significant tumor responses. Nine patients are disease-free with a median follow-up of 11.9 years. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of therapy for pediatric alveolar soft part sarcoma. Since active chemotherapy agents have not been identified, patients with unresected or metastatic disease may benefit from experimental agents. The survival rate of this cohort is superior to that seen in adults. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

儿童先天性完全性气管环的临床及诊治特点

目的探讨儿童先天性完全性气管环(CCTR)的临床及诊治特点。方法 2008年1月—2009年12月628例支气管镜检查患儿中诊断CCTR 18例,随访7～27个月,对其临床特点、影像学表现、镜下特征、治疗及转归进行综合分析。结果 18例中15例表现为反复咳喘,1例为气管插管困难,2例为术后撤机困难。CCTR多位于气管的中下部,合并支气管桥畸形时CCTR位于左主支气管。所有病例均经支气管镜检查确诊。治疗及转归:4例行气管成形术,3例死亡,1例预后好;3例行球囊扩张术,2例术后喘息改善;11例未对CCTR进行处理,6例预后好,2例仍反复喘息,3例死亡。结论 CCTR多表现为反复咳喘。支气管镜是诊断CCTR的金标准,对球囊扩张术有部分治疗作用,需根据临床情况选择适当的治疗方式及手术时机。     

Primary bacterial peritonitis in otherwise healthy children: imaging findings

We report the imaging findings of two recent cases of primary bacterial peritonitis in otherwise healthy children with a clinical presentation mimicking acute appendicitis. Primary bacterial peritonitis is rare in the absence of underlying systemic disease. Although it has been described in the pediatric literature, the imaging findings have not been described in the radiological literature to the best of our knowledge. With imaging playing an increasing role in the evaluation of appendicitis in children, it is important for the radiologist to be familiar with this inflammatory process.     

Mycoplasma pneumonia: Clinical and radiographic features in 39 children

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate the clinical and chest radiographic features of pediatric patients with serologically proven Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (mycoplasma pneumonia). METHODS: The clinical records and chest radiographs of 39 consecutive patients (19 male, 20 female; age 3-13 years) with serologically positive IgG and IgM mycoplasma pneumonia were reviewed. RESULTS: More than 90% of patients presented with fever and cough and 48% of patients had leukocyte count >10,000/mm(3). A C-reactive protein (CRP) level >0.375 mg/dL was noted in 28 patients (72%). Chest radiographs displayed four different patterns: (i) peribronchial and perivascular interstitial infiltrates (n= 19, 49%); (ii) airspace consolidations (n= 15, 38%); (iii) reticulonodular opacification (n= 3, 8%); and (iv) nodular or mass-like opacification (n= 2, 5%). Bilateral peribronchial perivascular interstitial infiltrations in central and middle lung zones were frequently seen (n= 19, 49%). Other radiological features were bilateral lesions in 51% of patients, pleural effusion in 23%, and hilar lymphadenopathy in 13%. Means of duration for treatment response and hospitalization were 2.5 and 5 days, respectively. CONCLUSION: There are various radiological features of mycoplasma pneumonia in children. Bilateral peribronchial and perivascular interstitial infiltrates were most frequently seen in the present patients.     

Sclerosing peritonitis after intestinal transplantation in children

Long-term graft dysfunction and/or graft loss after intestinal transplantation (ITx) is a significant concern. Sclerosing peritonitis (SP) is a manifestation of chronic allograft failure and its presence may also include classic arterial obliterative arteriopathy (OA) as in chronic rejection. We describe the clinical presentation and management of SP occurring after ITx in children. Case records of 121 children undergoing ITx from 1990 to 2003 were reviewed. Three children (2.4%) presented with SP of the intestine allograft at a mean time of 6.6 yr following ITx as follows: age at Tx (yr) 8.2, and 3.7, with indication for ITx being gastroschisis in two and midgut volvulus in one patient. Type of ITx was isolated intestine in one and liver/intestine in two patients. Gross findings of SP included fibrosis/strictures; microscopically SP showed fibrosis/serositis, and fibrous adhesions; one patient had evidence of chronic allograft vasculopathy. All patients presented with clinical signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction and gastrointestinal contrast studies confirmed distal ileal obstruction (DIO). Operative findings confirmed SP and DIO in all patients; all patients were initially treated with distal segmental intestine allograft resection and lysis of the fibrous peel. All three patients recovered, although two required repeat laparotomy, there is only one long-term survival. SP after ITx may be a different manifestation of long-term intestine allograft degeneration. Surgical resection appears to offer palliation.     

Meconium peritonitis in utero

To clarify the relationship between clinical features in utero and postnatal prognosis, 20 fetuses who underwent ultrasonic (US) evaluation for meconium peritonitis (MP) over a 17-year period were reviewed. According to final US findings in utero, patients were classified into three types. Type I (massive meconium ascites) was noted is 5 cases, type II (giant pseudocyst) in 4, and the other 11 were classified as type III (calcification and/or small pseudocyst). Abdominal calcifications were identified in only 5 cases (2 type I, 1 type II, 2 type III). Seven fetuses who had associated polyhydramnios (1 Type I, 1 Type II, 2 Type III) and fetal hydrops (3 Type II) were delivered before 36 weeks' gestation. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation at birth was required in 9 cases (5 type I, 4 type II) who underwent abdominal drainage before delivery and/or immediately after birth. Although dilatation of the intestine was identified in 10 fetuses (2 type II, 8 Type III), 18 had intestinal atresia and 2 had fecal obstruction of the distal ileum. Four infants (2 type I, 1 type II, 1 type III) died of respiratory failure and postoperative complications. These results indicated that careful fetal US may be useful for perinatal management of MP. Accepted: 15 September 1999     

小儿流行性感冒的临床特点和诊断要点

流行性感冒 (简称流感 )是由流感病毒引起的急性呼吸道传染病。其特点是起病急 ,传染性强 ,流行广泛 ,传播迅速 ,易引起流行和大流行。小儿流感的临床特点既与流感病毒 (ＩＦＶ)的特性有关 ,又与小儿年龄和免疫状况以及流行情况有关。一、小儿流感的临床特点1.小儿对流感比成人更具普遍易感性 ,并可反复患病。我国自 1988年以来人群中出现的主要是Ｈ3Ｎ2亚型病毒 ,武汉曾分离出Ａ/武汉 /35 9/95毒株 ,这是当前流感的病原。成人患甲型流感后 1周可获得同型病毒免疫力 ,2～ 3周达高峰 ,1～ 2个月后开始下降 ,1年左右降至最低水平。流感恢复期…     

Sonographic features of bowel perforation and calcific meconium peritonitis in utero

The prenatal diagnosis of fetal bowel obstruction with perforation and meconium peritonitis is described. Characteristic ultrasound findings include polyhydramnios, fetal ascites, and echogenic calcific foci with acoustical shadowing.     

不同病期小儿结核性脑膜炎神经影象学改变与临床的关系

为了解不同病期结核性脑膜炎（TM）患儿的头颅CT、MRI改变及与临床的关系，对91例不同病期TM患儿的头颅CT、MRI及临床进行分析。结果头颅CT检查67例，异常58例，异常率为86．6％；头颅MRI检查38例，异常35例，异常率为92．1％。CT改变特点与MRI基本一致，早期公为脑池改变或轻度脑实质低密度影；中期则发展为脑水肿、脑积水；晚期可见脑实质低密度、混杂高密度影及脑池受压、闭塞、粘连等。临床疗效良好者影像学改变轻，疗效差者影像学改变重。提示CT、MRI检查，尤其MRI对TM的诊断、病期和预后判定有重要意义。     

Perforated tubular duplication of the transverse colon: a rare cause of meconium peritonitis with prenatal diagnosis

The transverse colon is an exceptional location of intestinal duplication. Perforated duplications are rarely described in neonates. Meconium peritonitis (MP) can originate from prenatal perforated intestinal duplication. The authors report a case of a baby girl with prenatal diagnosis of MP. Rapid worsening of clinical aspects at birth and the presence of a pneumoperitoneum on systematic abdominal plain radiographs led to urgent surgery on the 1st day of life. Laparotomy showed a perforated necrotizing tubular duplication of the transverse colon. Removal of the duplication followed by limited segmental colonic resection and double colostomy were carried out. Follow-up was uneventful.     

儿童胸膜炎190例临床特点与病因分析

目的 探讨儿童胸膜炎病因与临床特点方法对2004年1月-2007年lO月住院的190例胸膜炎资料进行回顾性分析.结果 ①190例中干性胸膜炎61例(32.1%),渗出性胸膜炎112例(58.9%),化脓性胸膜炎17例(9.0%).感染154例(81.1%),其中以支原体(MP)最多见,共101例,其次为细菌、结核及病毒感染.恶性病因10例(5.3%),其他26例(13.7%).②不同年龄组病因有所不同,大龄组MP及结核感染居多.而细菌和病毒者较少.恶性病因无明显年龄差异.③56例胸腔积液示细菌组细胞数最高,肿瘤组蛋白量最高,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.001).结核组与MP组腺苷脱氨酶(ADA)及γ干扰素(IFN-γ)明显高于其他组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)除病毒组外均增高,差异无统计学意义.肿瘤组检测癌胚抗原(CEA)阳性3例(37.5%).胸水培养阳性9例(16.1%).结论 儿童胸膜炎以感染为主,主要为MP、细菌、结核感染.要重视恶性病因及其他病因的胸膜炎诊断.胸腔积液多项指标联合检测有助于胸腔积液病因的鉴别.     

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便秘(constipation)是指以大便干燥、排便困难,排便时间间隔久或虽有便意而排不出大便等一系列症状为临床表现的疾病,是儿童时期的常见病与多发病,影响儿童生活质量,给儿童及家长带来痛苦。了解便秘的临床特点及诊治流程,对于合理及有效地治疗便秘有重要的意义。1便秘的流行病学及临床特点1.1便秘的流行病学儿童便秘的发病率高,其中90%～95%为功能性便秘(FC)。由于仅有一小部分患儿会因便秘问题就诊,且诊断标准又多有不同,导致很多对便秘发     

Value of the urine strip test in the early diagnosis of bacterial peritonitis

BACKGROUND: In an effort to detect the presence of leukocytes in the peritoneal dialysate fluid (PDF) a urine dipstick may be practical for the early detection of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients. METHODS: The study was performed in 44 samples of four children with peritonitis. The total counts of white blood cell (WBC) and polimorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) were found using both a hemocytometer (CELDYN 3700 R) and a microscopic method. The existence of leukocytes was investigated by urine dipstick tests. RESULTS: The dipstick test was correlated with both hemocytometer and microscopic methods (r = 0.537, P = 0.001; r = 0.560, P = 0.0001, respectively). Our results revealed no false negative values in all strip categories. At the proposed cut-off point (> 100/mm3 of WBC count), a 3+ reading on the strip test reached a sensitivity of 100% for the detection of peritonitis with a specificity of 100%. A 2+ reading reached a sensitivity of 100% with lower specificity (71.4%) at the same cut-off point. The dipstick test correlated significantly with the total counts of PMNs (r = 0.80, P = 0.0001). All positive strip categories had more than 50% of PMNs with a low PMN percentage of negative strip category in PDF samples. CONCLUSION: It is proposed that the strip test might be a valuable test to diagnose bacterial peritonitis through the detection of both WBC and PMN in peritoneal dialysis patients.     

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目的探讨儿童过敏性结肠炎(AC)的临床特点及诊治方法。方法回顾性分析浙江大学医学院附属儿童医院2008年1月至2010年12月收治的53例AC患儿的临床、结肠镜及病理学表现以及实验室检查和治疗情况等。结果 (1)AC以2岁以下儿童多见,共49例(92.5%)。临床表现以血便[46例(86.8%),包括黏液血便和鲜血便]及腹泻(35例)最常见。(2)内镜下表现为局部红斑33例(62.3%),颗粒样结节31例(58.5%),表面糜烂10例(18.9%),溃疡形成1例(1.9%),镜下黏膜正常3例(5.7%),病变主要累及直肠[43例次(81.1%)]及乙状结肠[45例(84.9%)]。组织病理学主要表现为黏膜固有层嗜酸粒细胞浸润,以6～20个/HP浸润为主(62.3%)。(3)病史及实验室检查结果:16例患儿有特应性体质史,部分食物蛋白及吸入性过敏原特异性抗体检测阳性8例,外周血嗜酸粒细胞升高16例,贫血12例,外周血总IgE升高5例。(4)患儿平均住院时间(6.9±4.0)d,均好转出院。<1岁患儿纯母乳喂养者单独使用白三烯受体拮抗剂较单独更换特殊配方奶粉及二者合用平均住院天数少(P<0.05),而非纯母乳喂养组各种治疗方法的住院天数差异无统计学意义。(5)结肠镜下多发淋巴样颗粒结节表现与组织病理上嗜酸粒细胞浸润程度有相关性(P<0.05)。结论儿童AC临床表现以腹泻及血便为主,内镜下表现各异,多发淋巴样颗粒结节可能是AC较特异性表现,详细的病史询问、体格检查、辅助检查对诊断具有重要意义。回避饮食疗法及抗过敏奶粉治疗是目前儿童AC的主要治疗方法,白三烯受体拮抗剂可能对AC患儿有效。