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Background Anastomotic stricture is the most common postoperative complication in infants undergoing repair of esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF). Stricture indices (SIs) are used to predict infants at risk for stricture requiring dilation. We sought to determine the most accurate SI and optimal timing for predicting anastomotic dilation. Materials and methods A retrospective study of infants undergoing repair of EA/TEF between 2008 and 2013 was performed. Esophagrams were used to calculate four SIs (upper pouch esophageal anastomotic stricture index [U-EASI], lower pouch esophageal anastomotic stricture index [L-EASI], lateral SI, and anterior/posterior SI). The best performing SI was identified. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine if a first or second esophagram SI threshold was associated with dilation. A receiver operating characteristic curve measured the accuracy of the model using SIs to predict dilation. Results Of 45 EA/TEF infants included, 20 (44%) had postoperative strictures requiring dilation. As the best performing SI, logistic regression analysis showed that U-EASI as a continuous variable was predictive of dilation ( P = 0.03) but was not significant at U-EASI ≤ 0.37. However, U-EASI ≤ 0.37 was associated with needing earlier dilation. On second esophagram (median, 38 days), U-EASI of ≤0.39 was significantly associated with dilation (OR: 7.8, 95% CI: 1.05-57.58, P = 0.04). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the U-EASI model controlling for days to esophagram demonstrated improved predictive ability from first (AUC 0.73) to second esophagram (AUC 0.81). Conclusions Calculation of the SI utilizing a U-EASI ≤ 0.39 on the delayed esophagram is associated with future anastomotic dilation. A multi-institutional study is necessary to confirm the predictive ability of the U-EASI.

Objective Evaluate the effect of near-infrared light (NIR) on immediate production of ATP by osteoblasts and fibroblasts in vitro , and the healing process of rat femur fractures with intramedullary fixation. Background NIR is one potential treatment option for complications of fracture healing, which has shown to stimulate cellular proliferation and to enhance the healing process. Methods Cell culture – MC3T3-E1 and 3T3-A31 cells were subjected to NIR at 660 nm, 830 nm, or both combined. ATP was assayed at 5, 10, 20, and 45 min after exposure. Animal study – 18 rats had surgery with retrograde intramedullary pins inserted into their femurs, which then underwent closed, transverse femur fracture. Rats were randomly divided into 3 study groups of 6 each: nonirradiated controls, 660 nm, and 830 nm NIR. Healing process was assessed by a blinded radiologist, assigning a healing score of 1–6 for radiographs taken on days 0, 7, 14, and 21. Results Cell culture – All groups gave significant increase in ATP within 5–10 min, with decay to baseline by 45 min. 660 nm NIR was significantly more effective than 830 nm with fibroblasts or either wavelength with osteoblasts. Animal study – A significant increase in the fracture healing grade in the 660 nm group at day 14, but with no differences at day 21. Conclusion The study demonstrated an immediate increase in ATP production in vitro and an initial acceleration of callus formation in the fracture healing process, in the presence of NIR.

The concept of normal contralateral kidney growth rate was introduced as a parameter to consider in conjunction with others in the evaluation of unilateral hydronephrosis in asymptomatic neonates and infants. Historically measurements of renal size obtained at different times from different patients have been relied on to construct normal renal growth charts. We report normal kidney growth rates in year 1 of life derived from interval ultrasound measurements of renal size in the same newborns and infants longitudinally with time.We reviewed 333 normal renal ultrasound studies performed between 1991 and 1995 in 55 patients during year 1 of life. These longitudinal measurements were made bilaterally 2 to 8 times (median 3) per patient. Growth curve models that consider random patient effects were used to estimate the mean growth curve and ascertain its form. We also reviewed an additional 91 ultrasound studies in 10 patients with myelomeningocele without hydronephrosis or reflux. We analyzed the kidney growth rate in a similar manner and compared the results with those in the normal patients.Analysis of the normal cases revealed a changing growth rate during year 1 of life estimated to be 3.1 mm. per month at birth, decreasing gradually during the first 7 months of life to 0.25 mm. per month and remaining constant thereafter (p = 0.0064). Mean kidney size at birth was estimated to be 42.8 mm. (95% confidence limits 27.0 to 58.5). At age 7 months mean size was 60.7 mm. (95% confidence limits 40.1 to 81.3).These data demonstrate that normal kidney growth is age dependent. A rapid but slowly decreasing growth rate during the first 7 months of life is followed by a more constant and lower rate. The data also suggest that unusually rapid growth, such as that which may occur in the normal contralateral kidney in unilateral obstruction, may also be age dependent, exceeding 5.0 mm. per month during the first 7 months of life and 2.0 mm. per month thereafter.

The term "inflammatory myofibrohistiocytic proliferation" (IMP) has been proposed to replace the conventional designations of plasma cell granuloma and inflammatory pseudotumor. Three cases of extrapulmonary IMP in children are reported, including an intracerebral lesion which has been formerly undescribed. In children, IMP may be associated with microcytic hypochromic anemia, hypergammaglobulinemia, and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In this clinical setting, differentiation of a rapidly growing but benign IMP from a bona fide sarcoma is of paramount importance.

We report an infant with a mixed Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma brain abscess who was successfully treated with intravenous doxycycline and erythromycin. Therapeutic concentrations of doxycycline were demonstrated in cerebrospinal fluid. This report is evidence of the potential for Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma to produce focal central nervous system infection, as well as meningitis, in neonates and that use of doxycycline can be efficacious in the therapy of such infections.

The nail-patella syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by deformities of a variety of mesodermal and ectodermal elements. Most affected patients exhibit hypoplasia, dysplasia, or absence of the fingernails and toenails. Other common sites of involvement include the skin, kidneys, pelvis, knees, and elbows. In many cases, the earliest radiographic manifestations of this disorder in infants and children is osteocartilage exostoses (iliac horns) of the iliac wings. These exostoses may be detected with skeletal scintigraphy, and should not be confused with other pathologic conditions

Larsen syndrome is characterized by anomalies present at birth. These include a flat face, hypertelorism, cleft palate, cleft uvula, and laxity of joints with dislocations. In addition, there are central nervous system abnormal- ities, congenital heart defects, and neurological impairment due to cord compression. Not all anomalies may be present, and the condition is frequently under diagnosed. Our patient presented with right leg pain and limitation of motion of the right hip. The diagnosis of Larsen syndrome was not known. A radionuclide bone scan was performed to rule.out an acute injury. The examination demonstrated extraossoeous accumulation of tracer in the right thigh. An MRI scan showed edema involving the entire right sartorius muscle. This was secondary to repeated dislocations of the hip because of Larsen syndrome, which was established with genetic consultation.

A 6-year-old boy was examined for left leg and arm weakness. The patient had a left Wilm's tumor resected 6 years earlier. Treatment also consisted of chemotherapy and abdominal radiation. The child was asymptomatic until the present admission. A radionuclide bone scan was performed as part of the evaluation for metastatic bone disease. The examination demonstrated several regions in the skeleton with metastatic deposits. In addition, an area of abnormal extraosseous accumulation was identified in the right parietal region. A computed tomograph examination confirmed metastatic cerebral metastases. The case illustrates necessity to carefully evaluate the extraosseous components of the radionuclide bone images.

A 30-month-old girl was evaluated with Ga-67 imaging to identify foci of abnormal inflammation. Biopsy of a cutaneous lesion demonstrated manifestations of periarteritis nodosa, which included polymorphic exanthemata-purpuric, urticarial, and multiform in character. There was also severe subcutaneous hemorrhage resulting from necrotizing arteritis. Ga-67 imaging shows the only abnormality located to the posterior neck muscles at sites of cutaneous involvement. Other areas were normal

This 8-year-old girl presented with let flank pain, fever, and inability normally to extend and flex the back. The radionuclide bone scan was abnormal at the site of the epidural abscess. Computed tomography and MRI studies both showed the specific character and extent of the epidural pathology

A 12-year-old girl had a gradual onset of abdominal detention. A computed tomographic study of the abdomen showed a fluid-filted peritoneal cavity without masses. The fluid was chylous in nature. A lymphoscintigram was performed to evaluate for the site of obstruction or leakage. A positive contrast