Imaging of pediatric extragonadal pelvic soft tissue tumors: A COG Diagnostic Imaging Committee/SPR Oncology Committee White Paper

The most common pediatric extragonadal pelvic cancers include germ cell tumors, sacrococcygeal teratomas, and rhabdomyosarcomas (arising from the urinary bladder, prostate, paratesticular tissues, vagina, uterus, and perineum). This paper describes the radiological and nuclear medicine features of these entities and provides consensus-based recommendations for the assessment at diagnosis, during, and after treatment.     

A Delphi method based consensus statement for surgical management of proliferative diabetic retinopathy in India

Purpose:To derive consensus statements for surgical management of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) for vitreoretinal (VR) surgeons.Methods:Thirteen prolific VR surgeons representing all regions of India were invited to participate in a 42-point questionnaire based on the Delphi methodology describing various surgical scenarios commonly encountered in PDR. Consensus was derived using predefined robust analytics. Scenarios that returned a moderate consensus in round 1 were taken to round 2 as per the Delphi methodology. After considering all inputs, the final consensus criteria were developed.Results:A strong consensus was derived about waiting for 4 weeks before considering vitrectomy. In treatment-naïve eyes with fresh vitreous hemorrhage (VH), the wait time was slightly shorter for extramacular tractional retinal detachment (2–4 weeks) and longer (4–6 weeks) for eyes treated previously with laser or anti-VEGF agents. The expert panel recommended using preoperative anti-VEGF only in eyes with large membranes requiring extensive dissection. For post vitrectomy VH, while a conservative approach was recommended for the first episode of VH, experts recommended immediate vitreous lavage for recurrent episodes of VH. In eyes with iris neovascularization, the panel recommended immediate anti-VEGF injection followed by early vitreous lavage in nonresponsive eyes. A strong consensus was derived for stopping antiplatelet agents before surgery, while there was only a moderate consensus for performing vitrectomy for recalcitrant macular edema unresponsive to anti-VEGF injections in the absence of traction.Conclusion:This study provides valuable consensus on managing the different scenarios encountered during surgical management of PDR and should help guide the VR surgeons in clinical decision-making.     

ChILD: A Pictorial Review of Pulmonary Imaging Findings in Childhood Interstitial Lung Diseases

Childhood interstitial lung disease (chILD) is a group of lung disorders characterized by lung remodeling leading to abnormal gas exchange. ChILD is classified differently from adult interstitial lung disease and encompasses 2 broad categories: “disorders more prevalent in infancy” (<2 years) and “disorders not specific to infancy” (>2 years). High-resolution computed tomography can play an important role in the evaluation of chILD by narrowing the differential diagnosis and preventing unnecessary invasive procedures if typical imaging patterns are recognized. Thus, the pediatric radiologist should consider chILD in children with respiratory distress and identify the imaging patterns to suggest the diagnosis.     

Quantitative analysis of retinal microvascular changes in prediabetic and diabetic patients

Purpose:To evaluate and correlate retinal microvascular changes in prediabetic and diabetic patients with functional and systemic parameters.Methods:Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was performed on all subjects after medical evaluation and laboratory investigations for blood sugar, glycosylated hemoglobin, and others. Automated quantification of vascular indices of the superficial plexus were analyzed.Results:Hundred and eleven persons (222 eyes) were grouped into prediabetic (PDM) (60 eyes), diabetic without retinopathy (NDR) (56 eyes), diabetic with retinopathy (DR) (66 eyes), and healthy controls (CTR) (40 eyes). The superficial retinal capillary plexus showed no significant changes in the prediabetic and NDR groups; however, central foveal thickness (CFT) was significantly reduced in PDM (P = 0.04). The circularity of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) (P = 0.03) and the vessel density (VD) (P = 0.01) showed significant reduction from PDM to NDR. All vascular parameters were significantly reduced in DR and correlated with disease severity. The CFT correlated significantly with FAZ area. The VD and perfusion density were seen to correlate significantly with HbA1c and contrast sensitivity. The visual acuity was significantly correlated with the FAZ. Logistic regression revealed VD [OR 20.42 (7.9–53)] and FAZ perimeter [OR 9.8 (4.2–23.2)] as the strongest predictors of DR.Conclusion:The changes in OCTA can help predict onset of DR. FAZ changes are seen in early stages and are correlated well with systemic parameters, making it an easy target to monitor and screen for severity of DR. Significant reduction in the CFT in PDM suggests that neuronal damage precedes vascular changes.     

Epidemiological shift, seasonal variation and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among enteric fever pathogens in South India

Between January 2005 and December 2006, a higher incidence of paratyphoid fever (53.8%) compared to typhoid fever (44.9%) has been observed at a tertiary hospital in South India. A definite seasonal pattern of incidence is seen in paratyphoid fever (peak incidence during October-December, i.e., post monsoon period) but not in typhoid fever. Decreased fluoroquinolone susceptibility is much higher in S. Paratyphi A (98.8%) as compared to S. Typhi (46.5%). These findings are of importance in therapeutic decision making, development of vaccination strategies and implementing public health measures for disease control.     

Plantar Pressure Distribution in a Hyperpronated Foot before and after Intervention with an Extraosseous Talotarsal Stabilization Device—A Retrospective Study

Plantar pressure measurements have long been used by clinicians to provide information regarding potential impairments and disorders of the foot and ankle. Elevations in peak plantar pressures or a poor distribution of these pressures can be an indication of pathomechanics in the foot. Lower extremity deficits such as sensory impairment, foot deformities, limited joint mobility, and reduced plantar tissue thickness have been associated with high plantar pressures. The total pressures, pressure distribution, and peak pressures provide useful information to evaluate the abnormal functioning of the talotarsal joint. Instability of the talotarsal joint can result in excessive forces exerted on the joints and surrounding tissues in the foot that can then lead to dysfunction of the proximal musculoskeletal kinetic chain. In the present study, we performed a retrograde analysis of the pre- and postoperative measurements of the peak plantar pressures, peak forces, and area of contact between the foot and the ground during each phase of the gait cycle for 6 patients (12 feet) who had undergone a bilateral extraosseous talotarsal stabilization procedure using a type II extraosseous talotarsal stabilization device. After the procedure, a significant reduction was seen in the peak pressures (42%) over the entire foot and a significant increase in the contact area (19.7%) between the foot and the floor. This could imply that the extraosseous talotarsal stabilization procedure was effective in stabilizing the talotarsal joint complex, thus eliminating abnormal hindfoot motion and restoring the normal biomechanics of the foot and ankle complex, as indicated by a reduction and realignment of the peak plantar pressures and forces.