Clinical features and outcomes of 76 patients with COVID-19-related multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children

Clinical Rheumatology - Multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a less understood and a rare complication of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Given the scarce data regarding...     

Atypically located pericardial cysts

Pericardial cysts are uncommon benign abnormalities and are most often found in either cardiophrenic angle. We present the cases of 3 patients with a cyst in the mediastinum and review the literature. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of pericardial cyst. Clinicians should include pericardial cyst in the differential diagnosis of mediastinal masses.     

Blind vs. video-laryngoscope-guided laryngeal mask insertion: A prospective randomized comparison of oropharyngeal leak pressure and fiberoptic grading

Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing - Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) insertion may not always be smooth without complications. Controversial results of several studies evaluating ideal...     

A case of peduncular hallucinosis presenting as a primary psychiatric disorder

Peduncular hallucinosis usually occurs due to vascular or infectious midbrain lesions or brain stem compression by tumors. We present a peduncular hallucinosis case in a 63-year-old female with brain stem infarction, which can easily be misdiagnosed as a psychiatric disorder.Key Words: Cerebrovascular accident, peduncular hallucinosis, midbrain     

Desferoxamine and Urinary Zinc Excretion in β-Thalassemia Major

This study has been undertaken to find out whether urinary zinc excretion, which is already increased in patients with thalassemia, is further increased by usual and high doses of desferrioxamine (DF). A total of 11 β-thalassemia major patients were included. DF infusions have been performed with doses, either 50 mg/kg or 150 mg/kg. Nine age and sex matched normal children were taken as the control group. The mean basal-Zn excretion of the patients was significantly higher than the mean Zn excretion observed in controls. No significant difference is observed between the mean Zn excretion obtained on different doses of DF. However, they are both significantly higher than the mean basal-Zn levels of the controls.     

Chemotherapy of locally aggressive head and neck tumors in the pediatric age group: Desmoid fibromatosis and nasopharyngeal angiofibroma

Our experience with the use of systemic chemotherapy in the management of locally aggressive head and neck tumors in the pediatric age group (desmoid fibromatosis and nasopharyngeal angiofibroma) is presented. Objective decreases in the size of tumors was found in all patients with desmoid fibromatosis was treated with chemotherapy before definitive surgical resection was performed. The changes noticed on examination correlated with the histologic and radiologic findings. Two patients with recurrent juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas showed striking therapeutic improvement in their residual tumor mass as witnessed by radiographic studies and biopsies. Toxicity and side effects of the treatment are discussed.     

Hb D Punjab - Alpha Thalassaemia Combination in a Turkish Family

Data are presented of a Turkish family in whom Hb D and alfa-thalassaemia were present. Hb D was identified as Hb D Punjab by amino acid analysis. The propositus had a combination of Hb D Punjab and alfa-thalassaemia disease and suffered from a rather severe anaemia, therefore, a possibility of hypersplenism in addition to hereditary haemoglobin defects was considered.     

MOPP regimen as primary chemotherapy for brain tumors in infants

Summary Seventeen infants with central nervous system malignancies, all with tissue diagnosis, were treated with the combination chemotherapy nitrogen mustard, vincristine, procarbazine and a steroid (MOPP) as primary therapy following surgery. Diagnoses include: 7 astrocytomas (grade: 3-I, 3-II, 1-III), 6 medulloblastomas, 2 ependymoma/astrocytoma mixed, 1 ependymoma and 1 primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Fourteen were under 2 years of age, 2 between 2 and 3 years of age, and 1 between 3 and 4 years of age. Fifteen responded and 2 failed. Of the responders, 6 are in continuous complete remission (median duration 28.9+ months) and 9 are in relapse (median duration of remission 10.3 months). Of the 2 patients who failed and 9 who relapsed, 4 expired and 6 are living in partial or complete remission. We conclude that MOPP therapy is well tolerated, has effectiveness, and allows postponement of potentially debilitating radiotherapy in infants with brain tumors. Address for offprints: Jan van Eys, PhD MD, Department of Pediatrics, Box 87, UT MD Anderson Hospital, 6723 Bertner Avenue, Houston, Texas 77030.