Prevention of new sensitizations in asthmatic children monosensitized to house dust mite by specific immunotherapy. A six-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Specific immunotherapy (SIT) is a recognized way of treating IgE-mediated respiratory diseases. The clinical outcome is usually better in allergic children than in adults. OBJECTIVE: To increase our knowledge of the ability of SIT to prevent the onset of new sensitizations in monosensitized subjects, so far poorly documented. METHODS: 134 children (age range 5-8 years), who had intermittent asthma with or without rhinitis, with single sensitization to mite allergen (skin prick test and serum-specific IgE), were enrolled. SIT was proposed to all the children's parents, but was accepted by only 75 of them (SIT Group). The remaining 63 children were treated with medication only, and were considered the Control Group. Injective SIT with mite mix was administered to the SIT Group during the first three years and all patients were followed for a total of 6 years. All patients were checked for allergic sensitization(s) by skin prick test and serum-specific IgE every year until the end of the follow-up period. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable in terms of age, sex and disease characteristics. 123 children completed the follow-up study. At the end of the study, 52 out of 69 children (75.4%) in the SIT Group showed no new sensitization, compared to 18 out of 54 children (33.3%) in the Control Group (P < 0.0002). Parietaria, Gramineae and Olea were the most common allergens responsible for the new sensitization(s). CONCLUSIONS: According to our data, SIT may prevent the onset of new sensitizations in children with respiratory symptoms monosensitized to house dust mite (HDM).     

Tetralogy of Fallot: MR findings

Surgical treatment of patients with tetralogy of Fallot requires accurate definition of all anatomic structures, particularly the central pulmonary arteries. Magnetic resonance (MR) images of 22 patients with tetralogy of Fallot were studied to assess their usefulness in providing information regarding the spectrum of anatomic abnormalities in this condition. MR findings were compared with information obtained at catheterization (in 16 patients) and at surgery (in nine patients), both of which were performed within 3 months of MR imaging. Ventricular chamber enlargement and wall hypertrophy were clearly delineated in most of the 17 patients who were examined before definitive surgical repair, and ventricular septal defects were visualized in all 17. Palliative systemic-to-pulmonary shunts were visualized in 11 patients and could be evaluated for patency. Most important, the morphology and size of the right ventricular outflow tract and central pulmonary arteries could be accurately assessed. Pulmonary artery measurements obtained from MR images demonstrated excellent correlation with angiographic measurements. In six patients examined after complete surgical repair, MR images accurately reflected changes in pulmonary artery outflow tract morphology and complications, such as residual pulmonary artery stenosis and thrombosis. The findings suggest that MR imaging can complement or obviate catheterization in the evaluation of tetralogy of Fallot with regard to suitability for definitive surgical repair.     

Craniosynostosis in X-linked hypophosphataemic rickets

A report of three cases of craniosynostosis in X-linked hypophosphataemic rickets (XLH) is presented. The literature is reviewed, suggesting that craniosynostosis is relatively common in XLH and that boys may be more at risk than girls. It is recommended that radiological screening be offered to all patients with XLH.     

The thoracic aorta studied by MR imaging

Thirty-three patients with a variety of disorders of the thoracic aorta (aneurysm, dissection, Marfan syndrome, coarctation/pseudocoarctation, L-transposition, and Takayasu disease) were evaluated with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MR imaging delineated the presence and extent of thoracic aortic aneurysms and showed the relationship of the aneurysm to arch vessels; it also demonstrated intimal flaps and individual lumina in types A and B aortic dissection. Dilation of the ascending aorta in Marfan syndrome and focal narrowing of the aorta in coarctation were well visualized. The anteroposterior and side-to-side relationships of the aorta and pulmonary artery in L-transposition were demonstrated, as were aortic wall thickening and branch vessel narrowing in Takayasu arteritis. Initial experience suggests that MR imaging may provide a noninvasive method for evaluating thoracic aortic disease. Limitations include inferior spatial resolution, occasional difficulty in imaging the entire region of interest in one section, lack of signal from calcifications, and inability to monitor critically ill patients.