Intussusception in a premature neonate: A rare and often misdiagnosed clinical entity

Intussusception is a very rare cause of intestinal obstruction in neonates. It is of extremely rare occurrence among premature neonates. We present a case of 11-day-old premature neonate who presented with abdominal distension, intolerance to feeds, vomiting, significant bilious aspirate and bleeding per rectum. The initial diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) led to a delay in the diagnosis. On exploratory laparotomy, it turned out to be a case of ileo-colic intussusception with Meckel''s diverticulum as a lead point. This site of intussusception (ileo-colic) and presence of a lead point among premature neonate is of exceedingly rare occurrence and very few such cases have been reported.In this article, the published work about clinical features and management on intussusceptions in premature neonates has been reviewed. The authors intend to highlight the difficulty in distinguishing the NEC and intussusception. Subtle clinical and radiological features which can help in differentiating the two conditions have been emphasized. This can avoid the delay in diagnosis and management which can prove critical. High index of suspicion with timely intervention is the key for optimizing outcome. A diagnosis of intussusception should always be considered in any preterm infant with suspected NEC.     

Experience with Cyclosporine in Children with Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria

Abstract: Background: The identification of an autoimmune mechanism for many patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) was used as a rational for a controlled clinical trial of cyclosporine for adults with CIU not responsive to usual measures. That randomized placebo controlled clinical trial demonstrated clinical efficacy, acceptable safety, and a suggestion of inducing remission in such patients. Objective: To report our experience with cyclosporine in pediatric patients with CIU. Methods: Fifty‐four patients with CIU were referred to us during the period from 2000 through June of 2005. Seven of those, aged 9–16, failed therapy with high dose antihistamines even with the addition of alternate morning prednisone. Neoral brand of cyclosporine, 3 mg/kg/day divided b.i.d., was initiated in these patients. Cyclosporine serum concentrations, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and blood pressure were routinely monitored. Results: All had cessation of hives. This occurred after 1–4 weeks for six of the seven and 8 weeks for one. While some experienced relapses, all were eventually off of all medications and free of hives. None of the seven experienced any adverse effects. Conclusions: Our experience in children is consistent with a previous controlled clinical trial in adults and supports the efficacy and safety of cyclosporine for CIU. However, we recommend that it be reserved for those whose CIU that is resistant to conventional measures and that patients be carefully monitored with cyclosporine serum concentrations and measures of renal function.     

Long-term outcome of vocal cord dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is an involuntary functional disorder commonly misdiagnosed as asthma. Previous reports describe the disorder and treatment but not the long-term outcome. OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term outcome of VCD. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review identified 49 patients, ages 8 to 25 years, diagnosed as having VCD from 1989 to 2002. Telephone contact was attempted in all. RESULTS: Of the 49 patients, 41 had previously been treated for asthma; that diagnosis was confirmed by us as a comorbidity in only 12 patients. Two distinct phenotypes of VCD were observed. Symptoms were limited to exercise-induced VCD (EIVCD) in 29 and spontaneously occurring VCD (SVCD) in 20, only 4 of whom additionally had EIVCD. Twenty-eight of the 49 were successfully contacted by telephone. Eight of the 11 contacted patients with SVCD followed the recommendation to see our speech therapist, all of whom learned to control symptoms. However, 2 who also had EIVCD continued with that problem. Pretreatment with an anticholinergic inhaler prevented EIVCD in 6 patients in whom this was tried. Complete absence of symptoms, at times ranging from 1 week to 5 years (median, 5 months), was reported in 26 of the 28 contacted patients. CONCLUSIONS: VCD continues to be frequently misdiagnosed as asthma. Two phenotypes of VCD are apparent: EIVCD and SVCD. Speech therapy provides relief of symptoms for SVCD. Prevention of EIVCD with an anticholinergic inhaler in 6 patients suggests that a controlled clinical trial is warranted. Regardless of treatment, eventual spontaneous resolution was common.     

1,450 nm Long-Pulsed Diode Laser for Nonablative Skin Rejuvenation

Background:. There has been growing patient demand for laser technology to treat rhytids and to refine skin texture without the associated lifestyle hindrance common to ablative cutaneous procedures. Nonablative laser systems have been developed to meet this need and, in many instances, have replaced ablative lasers as the preferred treatment modality.
Objective:. To review long-pulsed diode laser technology in the treatment of a variety of cutaneous disorders.
Materials and Methods. All publications involving 1,450 nm long-pulsed diode laser technology were reviewed and discussed.
Results. The latest generation of nonablative lasers, in the midinfrared electromagnetic spectrum, selectively targets and heats dermal tissue to stimulate collagen remodeling while sparing the epidermis.
Conclusions. Demonstrating efficacy in the treatment of a wide range of cutaneous disorders, including facial rhytids, acne vulgaris, and atrophic scars, the 1,450 nm diode laser is a useful addition to the nonablative laser armamentarium.     

Effects of pertussis toxin treatment on human natural killer cell function.

Membranes from highly purified natural killer (NK) cells were ADP ribosylated by treatment with pertussis toxin (PTX). PTX treatment resulted in a single band of 32P incorporation at M(r) 41,600. PTX treatment of NK cells diminished their ability to lyse K562 tumour cells by about 50%. However PTX treatment had no measurable effect on cAMP levels in NK cells. PTX pretreatment also had no effect on the ability of target cells to induce phosphoinositide turnover or on the ability of the NK cells to conjugate with the K562 tumour cells. Movement toward the chemoattractants interleukin-2 (IL-2) and formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (FMLP) was significantly inhibited indicating that a PTX substrate in NK cells may be involved in the transduction of signals which are involved in cell motility.