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Achalasia of the cardia is rare in children, who account for between 2% and 4% of all patients with the disorder. Manometric, radiocinematographic and combined pharmacological and radiological investigations are reported in 7 children. Manometry of the oesophagus revealed pathognomonic curves without spasm present in the cardia. This method is useful for early diagnosis and also for differentiating for other pathological conditions of the cardia. It may replace routine Xray examinations. The most important radiological features are described. Cinematography provided a valuable functional diagnostic aid to demonstrate movement at the cardia. Combined pharmacological and radiological studies utilizing β-receptor stimulants in conjunction with β-blockers demonstrated β-receptors in the cardia; an obser vationpreviously noted at in vitro studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty-three 6 month to 13 year (average 9 years) old children subjected to femoral artery catheterisation in the 1960s were reviewed 2-9 years (average 5 years) later. They were then 7-18 years old (average 14 years). The review included measurement of the circumference of each calf and oscillography. Of the patients in whom either of these methods had suggested obstruction of the circulation, 10 were selected at random and examined with plethysmography and/or arteriography. The relatively high frequency of impaired circulation and growth of the limb found, appeared to warrant the conclusion that vascular catheterisation of children should always be followed by careful investigation for vascular obstruction, preferably with oscillography, and, if thrombosis is suspected by supplementary arteriography. A firm diagnosis of thromboembolism after catheterisation with occlusion of a major limb artery motivates thromboectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A disposable equipment is available in three sizes for the selective catheterisation of the abdominal and cerebral arteries in infants and children. This equipment is specially designed to minimize trauma to the artery and flow disturbance during the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]