Primary lung metastases in pediatric malignant non-Wilms renal tumors: data from SIOP 93-01/GPOH and SIOP 2001/GPOH

Malignant non-Wilms renal tumors (NWRT) are a small but relevant subgroup of renal neoplasms in children. In this study we analyzed corresponding data from the trials SIOP 93-01/GPOH and SIOP 2001/GPOH of the Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology.Data of 22 patients with NWRT and primary lung metastases were retrospectively reviewed. Analyses included epidemiology, tumor characteristics, chemotherapy, local treatment, and outcome.The following diagnoses were registered: Malignant Rhabdoid tumor of the kidney (MRTK, n=15), Renal-cell carcinoma (RCC, n=3), Clear-cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK, n=3), and primitive neuro ectodermal tumor (PNET, n=1). Median age of patients at diagnosis was 14 months. Overall survival was 36.36% (8/22). Of the 15 children with MRTK 3 survived, 3/3 patients with RCC, 1/3 patients with CCSK, and 1/1 patient with PNET survived. Lung metastases disappeared in 6 patients after initial chemotherapy, 6/8 patients undergoing local treatment of lung metastases (surgery, irradiation, or both) achieved complete remission. Only patients with complete clearance of lung lesions, either through neoadjuvant chemotherapy or subsequent local treatment, survived. Mean Follow up was 31 months (1-137).Survival of patients with stage IV NWRT is dismal. Complete removal of lung metastases seems mandatory for survival. An aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach seems justified in affected children.     

Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney. A study of 13 cases]

Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) also called a "bone-metastasizing renal tumor of childhood" is the second common pediatric renal neoplasm. This tumor is associated with a higher rate of relapse and a wider distribution of metastases than Wilms' tumor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have reviewed records of 13 cases of CCSK among 277 renal tumors (5%) diagnosed at the children's hospital of Rabat between 1990 and 2002. RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis was 14 months (5 months-9 years). The male to female ratio was 5.5:1.00. Abdominal mass, usually the first physical finding, was associated with hematuria in four cases. No congenital malformation syndrome or familial Wilms' tumor were observed. Imaging studies found out seven right and six left intrarenal processes. Preoperative chemotherapy was given according to the SIOP9, SIOP93-01 and GFAOP 98 protocols. Twelve of 13 children underwent nephrectomy. Tumor measurements varied through 450-3450 g and 7-26 cm. The classic morphologic pattern was seen in nine cases (69%). The distribution local stage was I: three cases; II: three cases; III: six cases; IV: one case. Postoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy (21 600-30 600 cGy) was done in 10 cases. With a median follow up of 44 months, four patients showed bone metastases (31%), four are alive in CR, four are lost for follow up and five died. CONCLUSION: CCSK remains the pediatric renal tumor most frequently misdiagnosed. Its aggressiveness and its ability to give bone metastases need to recognize early this diagnosis for an adapted treatment.     

中晚期儿童肾透明细胞肉瘤10例的诊治及预后分析

目的探讨中晚期儿童肾透明细胞肉瘤(CCSK)的临床特点、诊治经过及预后特点。方法收集2014年1月至2017年12月在首都医科大学附属北京同仁医院儿科住院治疗的10例中晚期CCSK患儿的临床资料,对其临床特征、诊疗经过及预后情况等进行回顾性分析。结果1.临床特点:10例CCSK病例中男6例,女4例;中位发病年龄为32个月;7例为左侧CCSK,3例为右侧CCSK。初次诊断时Ⅲ期9例,Ⅳ期1例;其中4例初次诊断时误诊为肾脏其他肿瘤(40%,4/10例)。5例Ⅲ期病例治疗及随访过程中出现肿瘤复发及转移,主要远处转移部位为肺、骨、肝脏及脑。2.治疗及预后:10例中给予手术联合放疗及化疗者7例,未规范化治疗放弃者3例。中位随访时间33.5个月,7例存活,3例死亡,3年总生存率为65.6%。Ⅲ期患儿3年总生存率为74.1%,Ⅳ期患儿3年总生存率为0,Ⅲ期与Ⅳ期预后比较差异有统计学意义(χ^2=9,P=0.003)。5例复发病例中仅1例完全缓解,2例部分缓解,1例进展,1例死亡;3例无复发病例均完全缓解,且均为给予手术、化疗及放疗规范化治疗者。结论儿童CCSK初诊误诊率高,Ⅲ期病例治疗及随访过程中复发及远处转移风险高;Ⅲ期病例积极给予手术、化疗及放疗的规范化治疗,预后良好,而发生复发及远处转移者死亡率高。     

Renal sonography with Doppler for detecting suspected pediatric renin-mediated hypertension – is it adequate?

Background

Renal Doppler US is used to evaluate suspected vascular causes of hypertension in children, despite mostly unknown diagnostic performance characteristics.

Objective

To evaluate renal Doppler US for detecting vascular causes of hypertension in children with high clinical suspicion of aortic or renal artery narrowing.

Materials and methods

We identified pediatric renal Doppler US examinations performed for hypertension between January 1995 and June 2010 at our institution. We excluded children without follow-up angiography (CT-, MR-, or catheter-based). Two pediatric radiologists reviewed imaging studies and documented relevant findings. Intrarenal spectral Doppler resistive index measurement <0.5 or tardus parvus waveform constituted a positive examination.

Results

Thirty-five boys and 13 girls underwent renal Doppler US and confirmatory imaging (mean age? =? 9.0 years). Nineteen US examinations were truly negative, two were falsely negative, 18 were truly positive (16 involved narrowing of the aorta or main renal artery) and nine were falsely positive. Sonography had a sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 68%, respectively, for detecting a vascular cause of hypertension.

Conclusion

Renal Doppler sonography reliably detects renin-mediated hypertension caused by aortic or main renal artery narrowing in children. More studies are needed to determine its ability to detect intrarenal and accessory renal artery stenoses.     

BCOR‐CCNB3 fusion‐positive clear cell sarcoma of the kidney

Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) is the second most common malignant pediatric renal tumor. Two of the recurrent somatic alterations reported in CCSK are BCL‐6 corepressor (BCOR) internal tandem duplication (ITD) and YWHAE‐NUTM2B/E gene fusion. A minority of patients with CCSKs have other rare somatic alterations. We report two patients with CCSK showing BCOR‐CCNB3 (where CCNB3 is cyclin B3) fusion, who had similar clinical presentation of a large renal mass with tumor thrombus extending through the inferior vena cava into the right atrium and a favorable response to chemotherapy. We recommend BCOR‐CCNB3 fusion testing for all patients with CCSK who lack BCOR‐ITD or YWHAE‐NUTM2B/E gene fusions.     

Whole-body MRI of Langerhans cell histiocytosis: comparison with radiography and bone scintigraphy

Background In Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) evaluation of the extent of disease is one of the major predictors of patient outcome. Historically this is undertaken using plain radiography and bone scintigraphy. Recently, whole-body (WB) MRI has been reported to be useful in detecting skeletal and extraskeletal metastases in both adults and children. Objective To evaluate the usefulness of WB MRI in patients with LCH in comparison with plain radiography and bone scintigraphy. Materials and methods In nine children (1–7 years of age; mean 3.3 years) who had a pathological diagnosis of LCH and had either plain radiography or bone scintigraphy for comparison, 43 WB MR examinations were performed. Skeletal and extraskeletal lesions of the disease on WB MRI were compared with those on plain radiography and bone scintigraphy. Results LCH showed unifocal single-system involvement in one patient, multifocal single-system involvement in three, and multifocal multisystem disease in five. WB MRI identified additional skeletal lesions in three (38%) of eight patients, compared with plain radiography, and in two (25%) of eight, compared with bone scintigraphy. WB MRI detected extraskeletal lesions of the disease in five (56%) of the nine patients exclusively, except for one patient whose lung lesions were also detected on plain radiography. In two patients, treatment was changed according to WB MRI findings. Conclusion WB MRI is a useful initial and follow-up diagnostic method to assess the extent of LCH because WB MRI not only identifies more skeletal lesions of the disease than do plain radiography and bone scintigraphy, but also detects extraskeletal lesions of the disease.     

Follow-up in neuroblastoma: comparison of metaiodobenzylguanidine and a chimeric anti-GD2 antibody for detection of tumor relapse and therapy response

Early and correct diagnosis of local tumor recurrence, occurrence of metastases, and therapy response are essential in patients with neuroblastoma stage IV. The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of metaiodobenzylguanidine (mIBG) and a chimeric GD2 antibody in the follow-up of patients with neuroblastoma. In a prospective study, mIBG (N = 31 scans) and immunoscintigraphy were compared with a chimeric antiganglioside antibody, ch14.18 (MAb) (N = 31 scans), labeled with technetium Tc 99m in the follow-up of 18 patients with stage IV neuroblastoma. The findings were compared with histologic findings, other imaging examinations, and clinical changes over the course of 4 to 6 years. For the diagnosis of local tumor recurrences, sensitivity was 80% for MAb and 70% for mIBG. Specificity was 93% for MAb and 72% for mIBG. The MAb was superior for the detection of skeletal metastases, with a sensitivity of 82% compared with 72% for mIBG. Specificity was 100% for both techniques. Also, for soft tissue/lymph node metastases, sensitivity for MAb was higher (50%) than for mIBG (31%). Specificity was 100% for each technique. In sequential studies, metastases were detected earlier with MAb (mean: 2.3 m for skeletal metastases, 3.6 m for soft tissue metastases) than with mIBG. After therapy, tumor uptake was visualized longer with mIBG (mean 6.3 m) than with MAb. The chimeric antibody ch14.18 is likely to be valuable for follow-up examinations and for assessment of therapy response because of earlier detection of new metastases.     

The role of DMSA scans in evaluation of the correlation between urinary tract infection, vesicoureteric reflux, and renal scarring

The correlation between urinary tract infection (UTI), vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) and renal scarring was studied in 89 patients (177 renal units; 1 solitary kidney) during the period 1997–2000. There were 63 males and 26 females; ages ranged from neonates to 14 years. UTI was diagnosed on the basis of a positive urine culture, VUR was diagnosed and graded by micturating cystourethrogram (MCU), and renal scarring was assessed by technetium 99 m Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan. Ultrasonography (US) was done to evaluate renal tract dilatation and other structural abnormalities. A follow up DMSA scan was performed approximately 6 months after the initial scan. VUR was present in 106 of the 171 renal units in which it was studied and absent in 65 units. The majority of the VUR was grade V. Renal scars were seen in 90 of 177 renal units at presentation and in 72 of the 163 renal units studied at follow-up. Some information was lacking in 31 patients; hence, the correlation between UTI, VUR, and renal scarring was done in 58 patients. The majority of the suspected scars at presentation were not seen at follow-up, but most of the established scars persisted. Only 2 renal units showed scars for the first time on follow-up. On US, approximately 50% of normal kidneys showed either suspicious or established scars on DMSA scan, and patients with bilateral abnormality on US showed renal scars. Renal scars were seen in 15 of 23 children without VUR, 17 of 18 with unilateral VUR, and 16 of 17 with bilateral VUR. Thus, there is a cause-and-effect relationship between UTI and renal scarring that is made worse by VUR. DMSA scans have been shown to be the most reliable method of assessing renal scarring, and an abnormal US scan showing upper-tract dilatation or a structural abnormality may have a predictive value in the detection of renal scarring. Accepted: 18 April 2001     

Whole-body MRI of paediatric malignant tumours: comparison with conventional oncological imaging methods

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of whole-body (WB) MRI for detecting metastases from paediatric malignant tumours in comparison with conventional oncological imaging methods. Materials and methods: Using a 1.5-T system, a coronal short tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequence was obtained in all patients. In addition, sagittal fat-suppressed T2-weighted, sagittal STIR, or coronal fat-suppressed pre-contrast and post-contrast T1-weighted sequences were performed. Patients who underwent WB MRI and conventional oncological imaging within 15 days were enrolled in the study. In total, 58 bone scintigraphies, 26 iodine-123 (¹²³I) meta-iodo-benzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphies, and 48 CT scans were available for comparison in 36 patients (median age 3.5 years; 21 boys, 15 girls) who underwent 82 WB MRI examinations. Skeletal and extraskeletal metastases were evaluated for a variety of tumour types. Results: Concordance rate of WB MRI between two readers was 74%. In detecting metastases, WB MRI had higher sensitivity (99%) and PPV (94%) than bone scintigraphy (26 and 76%, respectively). In detecting skeletal metastases, WB MRI revealed higher sensitivity (100%) than ¹²³I-MIBG scintigraphy (25%) and CT (10%). In contrast, WB MRI showed lower PPV in detecting skeletal and extraskeletal metastases (8 and 57%, respectively) than ¹²³I-MIBG scintigraphy (100%), and lower sensitivity (60%) in detecting extraskeletal metastases than CT (100%). In 2 of 11 untreated patients, tumour staging was upgraded from stage 3 to 4 according to WB MRI findings. In 3 patients, WB MRI revealed early treatment responses (<1 year) of skeletal metastases. Conclusions: WB MRI can substitute for bone scintigraphy in detecting skeletal metastases of paediatric malignant tumours, and it is useful in evaluating initial tumour staging and early treatment responses. However, it still has only a complementary role in detecting extraskeletal metastases.     

Does regular follow-up influence the survival of patients with sarcoma after recurrence? The Miri Shitrit pediatric oncology department experience

Despite comprehensive management of pediatric sarcomas, only 60% to 70% of children become long-term survivors. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether regular follow-up improves overall survival of children with recurrent sarcomas. The medical charts of 107 children diagnosed with soft tissue and bone sarcomas were reviewed, of whom 29 relapsed. They were divided into 2 groups according to the way of relapse diagnosis: due to complaints/physical examination (14) or on routine imaging studies (15). All were followed by regular physical examination and imaging studies (chest computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and bone scan/positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan with fluorodeoxyglucose) at regular intervals. Analysis of the results showed that (1) regular imaging studies do not facilitate earlier recognition of relapse in children with sarcomas; (2) regular follow-up with imaging studies does not influence overall survival of children with sarcomas; (3) other diagnostic and treatment approaches are needed to improve the survival of children with recurrent sarcomas.     

Value of routine bone scans in patients with bone sarcomas before local treatment

During modern treatment of children with bone sarcomas, the children undergo multiple diagnostic imaging procedures, including bone scan (BS) with Tc99m. The aim of the BS is to establish the metastatic status of the skeletal system at the time of initial diagnosis and thereafter. We retrospectively reviewed 85 medical charts of patients with osteosarcoma (n = 40) and Ewing sarcoma (n = 45) who had been treated in our department between 01.01.1995 and 01.11.2009. Every patient underwent routine imaging studies including BS at the time of initial diagnosis and before local treatment. Median age of all patients was 15.5 years (range, 8 to 29). Fifteen patients had metastases at diagnosis. All patients were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. No patient with localized disease developed metastatic disease to the skeletal system before local treatment; those with localized disease who developed metastases did so some time after completion of the treatment plan. As the probability of developing bone metastatic disease while receiving therapy is very low, routine BS in asymptomatic patients before local treatment may safely be omitted.     

Is screening for vesicoureteral reflux mandatory in infants with antenatal renal pelvis dilatation?

AIM: To determine whether postnatal ultrasound (US) can guide the use of voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) in infants with antenatally detected renal pelvis dilatation (ARPD). METHODS: 14,000 pregnant women consecutively underwent routine US examination during the second trimester. US examinations later in pregnancy were performed as follow-up of previous anomalies or on obstetrical indications. One hundred and six fetuses with ARPD > or =5 mm were identified. Two postnatal US examinations were performed in the newborns: on the 5th to 7th day and during the 3rd week of life. The findings were considered normal when renal pelvis dilatation (RPD) was < or =7 mm on both US examinations, and no calyceal or ureteric dilatation or signs of renal dysplasia or other anomalies were present. VCUG was done 6 to 8 wk after birth. RESULTS: In 53 of 103 analysable infants, the postnatal ultrasonographic findings were normal. The VCUG was abnormal in three of these 53 infants, all with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) grade I. Of 50 infants who had abnormal US examinations, six had VUR, four of which were grade IV and V reflux. CONCLUSION: In infants with ARPD who undergo two postnatal US examinations with RPD < or =7 mm and have no other abnormalities, VCUG is unnecessary.     

先天性肾发育不良合并单输尿管异位开口的诊治

目的：报告先天性肾发育不良合并单输尿管异位开口的诊断与治疗。方法：1985年以来对先天性肾发育不良合并单输尿管异位开口女性患儿11例，采用发育不良肾脏及输尿管切除治疗。术前经静脉尿路选影（IVU）、CT、MRI、利尿B超和彩色多普勒超声（CDI）检查。结合手术探查及病理发现对这些检查手段进行评价。结果：本组8例输尿管异位开口于阴道，3例开口于前庭。除1例逆行造影发现肾脏外，IVU，CT，MRI和常规B超仅能发现间接征象。利尿B超检查8,5列发现患肾；CDI检查7例中，5例发现肾脏。结论：先天性肾发育不良合并单输尿管异位开口较为少见，超声检查（处尿B超和彩色多普勒超声）为首选的检查手段，其治疗原则上均应行发育不育肾脏及输尿管切除术。     

Management of primary non-refluxing upper urinary tract dilation: an analysis of 219 pediatric patients

Antenatal ultrasound (US) examinations have changed the diagnostic approach to and management of malformative uropathies. Primary non-refluxing upper urinary tract (UUT) dilation is one of the urinary malformations that has undergone significant evolution in recent years. From January 1972 to June 1991, 219 children with primary non-refluxing megaureter (caliber more than 10 mm on radiologic examination) were admitted to our pediatric surgical department; 37 (16.8%) had bilateral UUT dilatation, an overall 256 renal units. The patients were divided into two groups: from January 1972 to June 1985 and from July 1985 to June 1991. In the latter period there was a considerable and progressive increase in admissions of infants in whom a prenatal US diagnosis of UUT dilation was made. A total of 186 renal units in 166 patients were operated upon; the success rate was 92%. A total of 70 megaureters (17 bilateral) in 53 patients were managed conservatively. The percentage of conservatively managed cases has increased in recent years; in almost all these patients the diagnosis was made antenatally. Our criteria for conservative management have been absence of obstruction and normal renal function as assessed by dynamic diuretic DTPA renography. These patients were carefully followed by serial US examinations and diuretic DTPA renograms. The follow-up of these 53 patients ranged from 6 months to 16 years with an average of 3 years 6 months; 47 have had a minimum follow-up of 18 months. In all these patients there has been progressive, spontaneous reduction or normalization of the dilation and no deterioration of renal function. In the authors opinion less than 50% of infants with grossly dilated non-refluxing megaureter diagnosed prenatally should be considered candidates for surgery, while the majority can be successfully managed without surgery. Correspondence to: G. Belloli     

Outcome of pediatric renal tumor treated using the Japan Wilms Tumor Study-1 (JWiTS-1) protocol: a report from the JWiTS Group

Purpose

In 1996, the Japan Wilms Tumor Study (JWiTS) group was founded to elucidate the efficacy and safety of the regimen established by the National Wilms Tumor Study (NWTS) group in the USA, and a multicenter cooperative study (JWiTS-1) was started in Japan. This report reviews the results of JWiTS-1.

Methods

A total of 307 patients with malignant renal tumor were enrolled in the JWiTS-1 study between 1996 and 2005. Central pathological diagnosis and follow-up data were available in 210 cases. The protocol regimens were similar to the NWTS-5 regimens. Clinical stage was classified according to the Japanese Staging System.

Results

Five-year overall survival (OS) rate was 91.1% for nephroblastoma, 72.9% for clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK), and 22.2% for rhabdoid tumor of the kidney (RTK). In the nephroblastoma patients, 5-year OS was 90.5% for stage I disease, 92.2% for stage II, 90.9% for stage III, 86.7% for stage IV, and 78.7% for stage V.

Conclusions

The OS of patients in the JWiTS-1 study were comparable with the results of other multicenter studies in the USA and Europe. The outcome for patients with nephroblastoma and CCSK was fair. In contrast, the cure rate for those with RTK was not satisfactory. New treatment strategies are needed for patients with RTK.     

Blunt injury of the abdomen: a plea for CT

A 3-year-old boy was brought to the emergency unit 1 h following a deceleration injury. On clinical examination there were no signs of injury and US showed only free intraperitoneal fluid. The following morning, contrast-enhanced CT showed the right kidney did not enhance and delayed scans showed contrast medium in the renal vein. This is an indirect sign of post-traumatic renal artery occlusion. Failure to recognise this sign may have disastrous consequences in a patient with solitary kidney or bilateral renal artery occlusion. Contrast-enhanced CT scan remains the most widely available investigation for accurate staging of blunt renal trauma. Received: 15 March 2000/Accepted: 29 March 2000     

LCH-I: A randomized trial of etoposide vs. vinblastine in disseminated langerhans cell histiocytosis

Twenty-seven infants under one year of age with metastatic neuroblastoma were studied for osteomedullary metastases. They were evaluated by at least two imaging procedures: X-ray films and MIBG scan. Taking into account the results of these investigations, 3 groups were defined: osteomedullary metastases were detected in 8 infants by both X-ray and MIBG scan, no osteomedulary sites were detected by either technique in 13 patients, and 6 had osteomedullary foci with positive MIBG uptake but no radiological abnormality. These three groups were apparently different in terms of median age, response to chemotherapy, and long-term survival. The third group, which has not been previously described, appears to have a better prognosis than patients with radiologically detectable bone lesions. Nevertheless it was necessary to use intensive chemotherapy to obtain remission in these particular patients. It should be mandatory to specify the investigatory technique used to describe osteomedullary metastases in infants and treatment should be adapted according to this grouping system. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, inc.     

Splenic nodules in paediatric Gaucher disease treated by enzyme replacement therapy

Background The natural history of focal splenic lesions in paediatric Gaucher disease (GD) is unknown and these lesions are thought to persist despite enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). Objective To assess the prevalence, evolution and resolution of splenic nodules in a cohort of paediatric Gaucher patients treated with ERT. Materials and methods The US findings in 37 children with GD were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 28 children underwent serial abdominal US examinations as part of their initial assessment and during routine follow-up. All patients received ERT. Results Six children (21%) had splenic nodules on US examination, either at presentation or on follow-up examination. In all six patients, the nodules had resolved on follow-up imaging, with resolution taking 17 months to 4 years 8 months. Two sets of siblings developed nodules that resolved over a similar time period. Conclusion Disappearance of focal splenic lesions in children with GD during follow-up has not been previously reported. The development of new focal splenic lesions in children with GD whilst on ERT has not been previously documented.     

Extracorporeal lithotripsy in children. Study of its efficacy and evaluation of renal parenchymal damage by DMSA-Tc 99m scintigraphy: a series of 39 children]

AIM: The objectives of the study were to confirm the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in infants and children and to evaluate potential long-term renal parenchymal damage by 99m Tc DMSA renal scan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 1989 and November 1997, 39 children between 10 months and 17-1/2 years of age (average: 7 years) were treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for kidney or ureteral stones with a Sonolith 3000 lithotriptor (Technomed Corp). Forty-six stones were treated. Eight metabolic and 11 urological abnormalities were identified. The evaluation of the treatment and its consequences were based on a clinical examination, conventional imaging and a DMSA renal scan performed 24 h before extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and at least 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: Treatment was successful (stone fragmented and eliminated) in 84.6% at 3 months after one to four sessions. Sixty-one sessions were necessary and two patients underwent open surgery for failed extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Three recurrences were also retreated. At long term follow-up (6 months to 8 years) no incidents of high blood pressure were observed, nor parenchymal lesions imputable to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of the extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for children is proven. This study also confirms the innocuousness of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for renal parenchyma even in infants. However, long term follow-up and further evaluation with the other categories of lithotriptors are necessary to make definitive conclusions.     

Lung ultrasound in bronchiolitis: comparison with chest X-ray

The diagnosis of bronchiolitis is based mainly on the patient’s medical history and physical examination. However, in severe cases, a further evaluation including chest X-ray (CXR) may be necessary. At present, lung ultrasound (LUS) is not included in the diagnostic work-up of bronchiolitis. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of LUS and CXR in children with bronchiolitis, and to evaluate the correlation between clinical and ultrasound findings. Only patients with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis, who had undergone a CXR, were enrolled in the study. Fifty-two infants underwent LUS and CXR. LUS was also performed in 52 infants without clinical signs of bronchiolitis. LUS was positive for the diagnosis of bronchiolitis in 47/52 patients, whereas CXR was positive in 38/52. All patients with normal LUS examination had a normal CXR, whereas nine patients with normal CXR had abnormal LUS. In these patients, the clinical course was consistent with bronchiolitis. We found that LUS is a simple and reliable tool for the diagnosis and follow-up of bronchiolitis. It is more reliable than CXR, can be easily repeated at the patient’s bedside, and carries no risk of irradiation. In some patients with bronchiolitis, LUS is able to identify lung abnormalities not revealed by CXR. Furthermore, there is a good correlation between clinical and ultrasound findings. Given the short time needed to get a US report, this technique could become the routine imaging modality for patients with bronchiolitis.