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To evaluate the impact of the addition of quantitative apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) data into the diagnostic performance of the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADSv2) scoring system to predict clinically significant prostate cancer (CSPCa). We retrospectively included 91 consecutive patients who underwent prostate multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) and histopathological evaluation. Mp-MRI images were reported by the PI-RADSv2 scoring system and patients were divided into groups considering the likelihood of CSPCa. ADC value and ratio were obtained. Findings were correlated with histopathological data. CSPCa was found in 41.8% of cases (n = 38). PI-RADSv2 score 3–5 yielded a sensitivity of 97.4% (95% confidence intervals 86.5–99.5), a specificity of 50.9% (37.9–63.9), and AUC of 0.74 (0.67–0.81) to predict CSPCa. ADC value

The lung acinus is the most distal portion of the airway responsible for the gas exchange. The normal acini are not visible on conventional computed tomography (CT), but the advent of micro-CT improved the understanding of the microarchitecture of healthy acini. The comprehension of the acinar architecture is pivotal for the understanding of CT findings of diseases that involve the acini. Centriacinar emphysema, for example, presents as round areas of low attenuation due to the destruction of the most central acini with compensatory enlargement of proximal acini due to alveolar wall destruction. In pulmonary fibrosis, intralobular septal fibrosis manifests as acinar wall thickening with an overlap of acinar collapse and compensatory dilation of surrounding acini constituting the cystic disease typical of the usual interstitial pneumonia pattern. This is a state-of-the-art review to describe the acinar structure from the micro-CT perspective and display how the comprehension of the acinar structure can aid in the interpretation of its microarchitecture disruption on conventional CT.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of using ultra-low-dose computed tomography of the chest with iterative reconstruction without anesthesia for assessment of pulmonary diseases in children. Methods: This prospective study enrolled 86 consecutive pediatric patients (ranging from 1 month to 18 years) that underwent ultra-low-dose computed tomography due to suspicion of pulmonary diseases, without anesthesia and contrast. Parameters used were: 80 kVp; 15–30 mA; acquisition time, 0.5 s; and pitch, 1.375. The adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction technique was used. Subjective visual evaluation and quantitative assessment of image quality were done using a 5-point scale in 12 different structures of the chest. Results: Mean age was 66 months (interquartile range, 16–147). Final diagnosis was performed in all exams, and 44 (51.2%) were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, 27 (31.4%) with bronchiolitis obliterans, and 15 (17.4%) with congenital pulmonary airways malformations. Diagnostic quality was achieved in 98.9%, of which 82.6% were considered excellent and 16.3% were slightly blurred but did not interfere with image evaluation. Only one case (1.2%) presented moderate blurring that slightly compromised the image, and previous examinations demonstrated findings compatible with bronchiolitis obliterans. Mean effective radiation dose was 0.39 ± 0.15 mSv. Percentages of images with motion artifacts were 0.3% for cystic fibrosis, 1.3% for bronchiolitis obliterans, and 1.1% for congenital pulmonary airways malformations. Conclusion: Chest ultra-low-dose computed tomography without sedation or anesthesia delivering a sub-millisievert dose can provide image quality to allow identification of common pulmonary anatomy and diseases. Resumo: Objetivo: Avaliar a viabilidade do uso de tomografia computadorizada com ultrabaixa dose com reconstrução iterativa sem anestesia para avaliação de doenças pulmonares em crianças. Métodos: Este estudo prospectivo envolveu 86 pacientes pediátricos consecutivos (um mês a 18 anos) submetidos à tomografia computadorizada com ultrabaixa dose por suspeita de doenças pulmonares, sem anestesia e contraste. Os parâmetros utilizados foram: 80 kVp; 15-30 mA; tempo de aquisição, 0,5 s; e pitch de 1,375. Foi utilizada a técnica de reconstrução estatística adaptativa iterativa. A avaliação visual subjetiva e a avaliação quantitativa da qualidade da imagem foram feitas com uma escala de 5 pontos em 12 estruturas do tórax. Resultados: A média de idade foi de 66 meses (intervalo interquartil, 16-147). O diagnóstico final foi feito em todos os exames e 44 (51,2%) foram diagnosticados com fibrose cística, 27 (31,4%) com bronquiolite obliterante e 15 (17,4%) com malformação congênita pulmonar das vias aéreas. A qualidade diagnóstica foi alcançada em 98,9% dos casos, dos quais 82,6% foram considerados excelentes e 16,3% alteração leve na definição, mas isso não interferiu na avaliação da imagem. Apenas um caso (1,2%) apresentou alteração moderada na definição, comprometeu discretamente a imagem, e exames prévios demonstraram achados compatíveis com bronquiolite obliterante. A dose de radiação média efetiva foi de 0,39 ± 0,15 mSv. As porcentagens de imagens com artefatos de movimento foram de 0,3% para fibrose cística, 1,3% para bronquiolite obliterante e 1,1% para malformação congênita pulmonar das vias aéreas. Conclusão: É possível realizar a tomografia computadorizada com ultrabaixa dose torácica sem sedação ou anestesia, administrando uma dose de submilisievert, com qualidade de imagem suficiente para a identificação pulmonar anatômica e de doenças pulmonares comuns. Keywords: Computed tomography, Thorax, Ultra-low-dose radiation, Iterative reconstruction, Pediatric patients, Palavras-chave: Tomografia computadorizada, Tórax, Radiação de dose ultrabaixa, Reconstrução iterativa, Pacientes pediátricos

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the mechanism of insulin modulation on somatotrophic response, inflammation, and lipid metabolism in critically ill children. DESIGN Open-label randomized mechanistic study. SETTING Two-center, tertiary PICU study. PATIENTS Thirty critically ill children between 1 month and 14 years old, requiring mechanical ventilation and with evidence of two or more organ system failures. INTERVENTIONS Randomized physiologic design of hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp using continuous insulin infusion at 0.1 U/kg/hr versus conventional management. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Thirteen children underwent hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Blood samples for somatotrophic, inflammatory, and metabolic evaluation were obtained before randomization, and 24 and 72 hours later. A growth hormone oscillation profile was obtained during the first night. There was no difference between groups at baseline. Growth hormone resistance, increased proinflammatory cytokines, and increased lipolysis with low lipoprotein levels were present in all patients. Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp did not affect growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 or insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 levels. By day 2, insulin reduced insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 levels. Tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β were similar in both groups, whereas interleukin-6 levels reduced over time only in children receiving hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp also decreased free fatty acid levels, which was accompanied by increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and relative increase in high-density lipoprotein levels. Total cholesterol and triglycerides were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS Insulin does not reverse most of the somatotrophic changes induced by the stress of critical illness. Rather, it may improve lipid metabolism and down-regulate some markers of the inflammatory response.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in identifying terminal ileitis in patients with Crohn’s disease. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of 38 consecutive patients with Crohn’s disease who underwent magnetic resonance enterography with DWI in a 3.0 T scanner. The patients were divided into two groups, on the basis of colonoscopy and biopsy findings: active inflammation; and inactive disease. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were determined, as were the magnetic resonance index of activity (MaRIA) and the Clermont score. Results: Of the 38 patients evaluated, 18 (47%) had active inflammation. The patients with active inflammation showed greater restricted diffusion, more pronounced mucosal edema, greater wall thickening, a higher MaRIA, and a higher Clermont score than did those with inactive disease. The level of interobserver agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient) was excellent for the MaRIA and the Clermont score, whereas it was substantial for the ADC values. For identifying colonoscopy-proven inflammation, the best ADC cut-off point was 2.1 × 10−3 mm2/s, which had a sensitivity of 88.8% and a specificity of 95.0%, whereas DWI presented an overall accuracy of 89.4%, with a sensitivity of 88.9% and a specificity of 90.0%. Conclusion: Visual analysis of the DWI sequence has good accuracy in detecting terminal ileitis in patients with Crohn’s disease. In addition, low ADC values have good sensitivity for detecting colonoscopy-proven inflammation. Resumo Objetivo: Determinar a acurácia da ressonância magnética com difusão na identificação de sinais de inflamação ileal distal em pacientes com doença de Crohn. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo com 38 pacientes consecutivos com doença de Crohn que foram submetidos a enterografia por ressonância magnética. Os pacientes foram alocados em duas categorias, utilizando a positividade na endoscopia e na biópsia como referência: doença ativa ou não ativa. Foram determinados os valores do coeficiente de difusão aparente (ADC), assim como o magnetic resonance index of activity (MaRIA) e o escore Clermont. Resultados: Dezoito pacientes (47%) apresentaram doença inflamatória ativa. Os pacientes com inflamação ativa tiveram maior restrição na difusão, edema de mucosa, espessamento de parede, MaRIA e escore Clermont quando comparados aos pacientes sem inflamação. A correlação de concordância interobservador foi excelente para o MaRIA e para o escore Clermont e considerável para o ADC. Os melhores pontos de corte no estudo para identificação de inflamação pela colonoscopia para o ADC foi 2,1 × 10-3 mm2/s, com sensibilidade de 88,8% e especificidade de 95,0%. A imagem ponderada em difusão apresentou acurácia de 89,4%, sensibilidade de 88,9% e especificidade de 90,0% em relação à identificação de inflamação na colonoscopia. Conclusão: A análise visual das sequências de difusão possui boa acurácia na detecção de inflamação ileal distal em pacientes com doença de Crohn. Valores baixos de ADC possuem boa sensibilidade na detecção de inflamação na colonoscopia.

SummaryBackground There has been a growing amount of evidence indicating that excess visceral fat is associated with alterations in brain structure and function, including brain cortical thinning in adults. Objectives This study aims to investigate the relationship between brain cortical thickness with obesity assessments, in adolescents. Methods In this study, we measured three different obesity assessments within an adolescent population (aged 15 – 18 years): body mass index (BMI), visceral fat ratio measured with an MRI and hepatorenal gradient measured with an ultrasound. Volunteers also underwent an MRI scan to measure brain structure. Results Results indicated that there was no relationship of BMI or hepatorenal gradient with brain cortical dimensions. However, there was a significant association between visceral fat ratio and an increase of cortical thickness throughout the brain. Conclusions These results suggest that visceral fat, but not BMI, is correlated with cortical thickening in adolescence.

Purpose To determine the range of asymptomatic abnormal findings in adolescent soccer players at 3.0T MRI of the knee. Materials and Methods In all, 87 knees of asymptomatic 14–17-year-old male adolescents were evaluated at 3T, using a standardized examination protocol comprising four sequences: two fat-suppressed T2-weighted fast spin-echo sequences (T2 FSE), in the sagittal (repetition time / echo time [TR/TE], 5.300/71, echo train length [ETL] 17) and coronal planes (TR/TE, 4234/70, ETL 17), one fat-suppressed proton density (PD) sequence in the axial plane (TR/TE, 2.467/40, ETL 9), and one T1-weighted spin-echo (T1 SE) sequence in the sagittal plane (TR/TE, 684/12.5). Soccer players (46 knees) were paired with controls (41 knees) by age and weight. Bone marrow, articular cartilage, meniscus, tendons, ligaments, fat pad abnormalities, and joint fluid were assessed. Results One or more abnormalities were detected in 31 knees (67.4%) in the soccer player group, compared to 20 knees (48.8%) in the control group. The prevalence of bone marrow edema was higher in the soccer group (19 knees, 41.3%) than in the control group (3 knees, 7.3%), P = 0.001. Other abnormalities found in this sample (joint effusion, cartilage lesions, tendinopathy, ganglion cysts, and infrapatellar fat pat edema) were not significantly different between the two study groups. Conclusion Asymptomatic adolescents had a high prevalence of abnormal findings on knee imaging, especially bone marrow edema. This prevalence was higher among soccer players. Level of Evidence: 4 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:59–65.

Purpose To date, few studies have validated the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System Version 2 (PI-RADS v. 2) for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Our aim was to validate PI-RADS v.2 using 3 Tesla (T) MRI. Materials and Methods This is a retrospective study of 54 consecutive patients who underwent 3T MRI with a body-array coil for diagnostic confirmation of prostate cancer or cancer staging between June 2013 and June 2015. Sensitivity, specificity, and agreement were calculated based on a criterion of PI-RADS score = 3. Inter-examiner agreement was determined by the weighted kappa statistic. Results Histological findings were positive for cancer in 33 patients and negative in 21 patients. Considering a PI-RADS score of 3 as positive for cancer, the accuracy of each reader was 85.20% and 70.40%, respectively, and agreement coefficients were κ = 0.69 and κ = 0.35. Considering PI-RADS 3 as absence of cancer, the accuracy of each reader was 77.80% and 77.80%, respectively, and agreement was κ = 0.55 and κ = 0.54. Inter-reader agreement was moderate/good (weighted κ = 0.53; 95% confidence interval: 0.39–0.66; P = 0.038). Conclusion High accuracy was obtained for the diagnosis of prostate cancer using 3T MRI with a body coil and the PI-RADS v.2 score. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1354–1359.

AIM The purpose of this study was to assess the association with automated US measurements of carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) with anthropometric, laboratory data and ultrasonographic measurements of fat, in order to identify potential markers that could be used to prevent the development and progression of cardiovascular pathology in adolescents. METHOD Forty-five patients aged 10 to 17 years were enrolled in this study. Blood samples and anthropometric measurements were obtained from all subjects. All patients underwent an ultrasonic assessment of subcutaneous tissue, pre-peritoneal fat, and intra-abdominal fat. All patients received an US assessment of the common carotid artery intima-media thickness. RESULTS There was a positive association of minimum beds of pre-peritoneal fat, on both sides, with cIMT. Additionally, cIMT on the right side was positively associated with HOMA-IR. In our multivariate analysis, HOMA-IR remained independently associated with cIMT (left) and measurement of the minimum bed of pre-peritoneal fat was associated with right cIMT. There was no association of cIMT with sex, BMI z-score, demographic variables or laboratory findings. CONCLUSION Pre-peritoneal fat and HOMA-IR are associated with automated ultrasound measurements of both carotid intima-media thickness. Carotid intima-media thickness was not associated with any other demographic variables nor with other laboratory findings when assessed with our automated US method.

The aim of this study was to determine whether US reduces number of puncture attempts, procedure time, and complication rate during IJV access in children.A prospective study was performed in children (age ≤18years) admitted to our institution, from September 2013 to July 2014, with indications for central venous access. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria were randomized to the US-guided or control groups. The same physician performed all IJV cannulations in both groups. The end-points for comparison were: length of time to venous access, number of attempts, and rate of complications.Fifty-one patients were included: 23 in the US-guided group and 28 in the control group. There were no between-group differences in weight, age, or sex. In the US-guided group, the number of punctures needed to achieve IJV access (median [interquartile range], 3 [2-5] vs. 1 [1, 2]; P0.001), time to achievement of venous access, and complication rate (39% vs. 4.3%, P0.009) were significantly lower.US guidance is a useful adjunct to central venous access in children, facilitating the procedure, decreasing time to cannulation, and increasing safety.Prospective randomized study.1.

summary Background & aims: Few studies have evaluated how well ultrasonographic measurements of fat correlate with anthropomorphic measurements and insulin resistance in juveniles. Moreover, the significance of an accumulation of visceral versus subcutaneous fat in obese children and young adults remains controversial. The hypothesis of this study was that ultrasonographic measurements of fat would show better correlations with insulin resistance than with anthropometric measurements. Among the variables associated with insulin resistance, we tried to identify those that had the best correlations with ultrasonographic measurements of fat. Methods: Forty-five adolescent volunteers (age range: 10e17 years) were enrolled in this study. Subjects were classified as obese or eutrophic according to their body mass index z-score for Brazilian children and adolescents. Blood samples and anthropometric measurements (waist circumference, waist-toheight ratio, and conicity index) were obtained from all subjects. All patients underwent an ultrasonic assessment of subcutaneous tissue, pre-peritoneal fat, and intra-abdominal fat. Results: Ultrasonographic measures of abdominal fat were associated with anthropometric measurements, glucose level, insulin level, and the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMAIR), with the exception that glucose level was not associated with the maximal pre-peritoneal fat. Body mass index z-score, conicity index, and HOMA-IR remained independently associated with the subjects’ total fat in multivariate analysis. Only minimal subcutaneous fat was independently associated with HOMA-IR. Conclusion: Subcutaneous fat may be more useful than visceral fat as a marker for insulin resistance in juveniles.

Rationale and Objectives To evaluate the presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in eutrophic and obese adolescents with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and its relationship to insulin resistance and other potential biomarkers. Materials and Methods A total of 50 adolescents (aged 11–17 years), including 24 obese and 26 eutrophic adolescents, were evaluated using MRI exams for NAFLD diagnosis. Blood analysis was performed to measure glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, fibrinogen, aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-gt, and C-reactive protein. The Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) index was also calculated. Laboratory test results and anthropometric assessment were statistically analyzed to determine potential correlation with NAFLD prevalence. Results The prevalence of NAFLD among the obese was significantly higher (83.3%; CI 95: 64.5–94.5%) than that of the eutrophic group (19.2%; CI 95: 7.4–37.6%). In multivariate analysis, only HOMA-IR was an independent risk factor for diagnosis NAFLD using MRI. Compared to eutrophic adolescents, the obese adolescents had significantly higher levels for all parameters measured except for total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which were significantly lower. Conclusion The prevalence of NAFLD was 19.2% among eutrophic patients and 83.3% among obese patients. Only HOMA-IR was determined to be an independent risk factor for NAFLD.

Objective: ultrasound (US) has been an important diagnostic tool to identify several causes of gastrointestinal bleeding. Infants with cow's milk allergy (CMA) may present hematochezia and the confirmation of the diagnosis can be difficult. The aim of this study is to describe grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound findings in patients with CMA. Methods: we retrospectively studied 13 infants with CMA. All infants presented severe hematochezia and abdominal pain. All underwent an US study with the diagnosis of allergic colitis. This diagnosis was based on clinical findings, recovery after infant or mother exclusion diets in the case of exclusive breastfeeding and positive oral challenge test. Results: the mean age ranged from 1 to 6 months (mean = 3.53). Seven out of 13 infants (53.8%) had grayscale and color Doppler sonographic repeated after exclusion diet. Twelve out of 13 (92,3%) showed abnormalities at US and CDUS at beginning. The positive findings suggesting colitis were thickened bowel walls and increased vascularity, especially in the descending and sigmoid colon. Colonoscopy and histopathological findings were compatible with allergic colitis. After a diet change the 13 infants recovered and their oral challenge tests were positive. Conclusion: Doppler US may be very useful in diagnosing secondary colitis, such as CMA, and to exclude several other abdominal diseases that can emulate this disease. Resumo: Objetivo: O ultrassom (US) tem sido uma importante ferramenta de diagnóstico para identificar várias causas de hemorragia gastrointestinal. Neonatos com alergia ao leite de vaca (ALV) podem apresentar hematoquezia, e a confirmação do diagnóstico pode ser difícil. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever achados com ultrassom em escala de cinza e com Doppler colorido em pacientes com ALV. Métodos: Estudamos, retrospectivamente, 13 neonatos com ALV. Todos eles apresentaram hematoquezia severa e dor abdominal e foram submetidos a um estudo com US, com o diagnóstico de colite alérgica. O diagnóstico teve como base os achados clínicos, a recuperação após a dieta de exclusão do neonato ou da mãe, no caso de amamentação exclusiva, e o teste de provocação oral positivo. Resultados: A idade média variou de um a seis meses (média = 3,53). Sete dos 13 neonatos (53,8%) passaram novamente por ultrassonografia em escala de cinza e com Doppler colorido após a dieta de exclusão. Dentre eles, 12 dos 13 (92,3%) mostraram anormalidades no US e no ultrassom com Doppler colorido (USDC) no início. Os achados positivos que sugeriram colite foram paredes intestinais espessas e aumento na vascularização, principalmente no cólon descendente e sigmoide. Os resultados da colonoscopia e histopatológicos foram compatíveis com colite alérgica. Após uma mudança na dieta, os 13 neonatos se recuperaram e seus testes de provocação oral foram positivos. Conclusão: O US com Doppler pode ser muito útil para diagnosticar a colite secundária, como a ALV, e para excluir várias outras doenças abdominais que podem imitar essa doença. Keywords: Cow's milk allergy, Colitis, Ultrasound, Palavras-chave: Alergia ao leite de vaca, Colite, Ultrassom

We evaluated a low cost device for digitizing X-ray films. It consisted of a locally-made wooden box and a readily-available digital camera. Two experienced paediatric radiologists interpreted the original X-ray films (the reference standard) and the corresponding images obtained in the photo light box. Ninety paediatric chest X-ray films were used (30 were normal chest radiographs, 30 showed pneumonic-consolidation and 30 had interstitial infiltrates). The presence or absence of the three signs most frequently found in acute respiratory pathologies were evaluated: normal pulmonary transparency, pneumonic consolidation and interstitial infiltration. There was very good agreement between the X-ray films and the digitized images, with kappa values from 0.86 to 0.98. There was good agreement between the two observers, with kappa values from 0.67 to 0.90. The low-cost photo light box represents an accessible and low-cost approach to transmitting X-ray images, allowing findings or a second opinion from a specialist radiologist to be obtained from a distance.

OBJETIVO: Calcular as frequências de pielonefrite aguda e cicatriz renal em pacientes menores de dois anos com cintilografia renal com 99mTc-DMSA com primeiro quadro de infecção do trato urinário em hospital universitário brasileiro, comparando com dados da literatura internacional. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram revisados laudos cintilográficos de crianças menores de dois anos de idade que realizaram cintilografia renal com 99mTc-DMSA em um hospital universitário no Rio Grande do Sul, entre 2006 e 2009, para pesquisa de pielonefrite aguda/cicatriz renal. Revisaram-se a presença de refluxo vesicoureteral, o uso precoce de antibiótico, e a presença de comorbidades que constassem nos prontuários eletrônicos. Calculou-se a amostra com base num estudo de revisão sistemática e obteve-se um mínimo de 147 pacientes. Excluíram-se pacientes sem registro eletrônico. RESULTADOS: Cento e cinquenta e sete crianças preencheram critérios de inclusão do estudo, 48 tiveram pielonefrite aguda e 8 destas apresentaram cicatriz renal. Nem a idade nem o gênero dos pacientes apresentaram associação significativa com pielonefrite aguda (p = 0,405 e p = 0,124, respectivamente). Não houve diferença estatística nas associações de refluxo vesicoureteral e pielonefrite aguda (p = 1,0) e outras comorbidades (p = 0,470) e em relação ao uso precoce de antibiótico com pielonefrite aguda (p = 0,130) e cicatriz renal (p = 0,720). CONCLUSÃO: As frequências de pielonefrite aguda e cicatriz renal obtidas concordam com os resultados da maioria dos estudos publicados.OBJECTIVE: To calculate the frequencies of acute pyelonephritis and renal scarring in patients under the age of two, with first episode of urinary tract infection in a Brazilian university hospital, comparing with data reported in the international literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Scintigraphic reports of children less than two years old submitted to 99mTc-DMSA renal scintigraphy in a university hospital in Rio Grande do Sul between 2006 and 2009 were reviewed to investigate acute pyelonephritis/renal scarring. Additionally, the presence of vesicoureteral reflux, early use of antibiotics, and comorbidities were investigated on electronic records. The sample size calculation was based on a systematic review study and obtained a minimum of 147 patients. Patients whose electronic records were not available were excluded. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-seven children met the inclusion criteria; among them 48 had acute pyelonephritis and 8 of these had renal scars. Neither age nor sex presented any significant association with acute pyelonephritis (p = 0.405 and p = 0.124, respectively). No statistical significance was observed in the association between vesicoureteral reflux and acute pyelonephritis (p = 1.0) and other comorbidities (p = 0.470), and in relation to early use of antibiotics with acute pyelonephritis (p = 0.130) and renal scarring (p = 0.720). CONCLUSION: The frequencies found in the present study for acute pyelonephritis/renal scarring are in agreement with the results reported by most studies in the literature.

Purpose: To disseminate the current knowledge about the intestinal inflammatory processes in children and its approach by ultrasound (US) and provide necessary information to pediatricians for early diagnosis through this complementary method. Source of Data: The sources of data were selected by Medline, the international manuscripts, international medical journals more relevant in the last 20 years about Gray Scale and Color Doppler Ultrasound in the evaluation of inflammatory bowel disease in children and adolescents. Conclusions: Several authors have suggested that the ultrasound should be the first study in the diagnostic investigation process in suspected inflammatory bowel disease to determine the most affected region and monitor the therapy response. While colonoscopy still remains as the reference diagnostic method, the literature suggests that US can be an extremely useful tool in the context of the suspected diagnosis of a wide variety of intestinal inflammatory processes in children.

BACKGROUND AND AIMSComputed tomography, which uses ionizing radiation and expensive software packages for analysis of scans, can be used to quantify abdominal fat. The objective of this study is to measure abdominal fat with 3T MRI using free software for image analysis and to correlate these findings with anthropometric and laboratory parameters in adolescents.METHODSThis prospective observational study included 24 overweight/obese and 33 healthy adolescents (mean age 16.55 years). All participants underwent abdominal MRI exams. Visceral and subcutaneous fat area and percentage were correlated with anthropometric parameters, lipid profile, glucose metabolism, and insulin resistance. Student's t test and Mann-Whitney's test was applied. Pearson's chi-square test was used to compare proportions. To determine associations Pearson's linear correlation or Spearman's correlation were used.RESULTSIn both groups, waist circumference (WC) was associated with visceral fat area (P = 0.001 and P = 0.01 respectively), and triglycerides were associated with fat percentage (P = 0.046 and P = 0.071 respectively). In obese individuals, total cholesterol/HDL ratio was associated with visceral fat area (P = 0.03) and percentage (P = 0.09), and insulin and HOMA-IR were associated with visceral fat area (P = 0.001) and percentage (P = 0.005).CONCLUSIONS3T MRI can provide reliable and good quality images for quantification of visceral and subcutaneous fat by using a free software package. The results demonstrate that WC is a good predictor of visceral fat in obese adolescents and visceral fat area is associated with total cholesterol/HDL ratio, insulin and HOMA-IR.

To determine the range of asymptomatic abnormal findings in adolescent soccer players at 3.0T MRI of the knee.In all, 87 knees of asymptomatic 14-17-year-old male adolescents were evaluated at 3T, using a standardized examination protocol comprising four sequences: two fat-suppressed TOne or more abnormalities were detected in 31 knees (67.4%) in the soccer player group, compared to 20 knees (48.8%) in the control group. The prevalence of bone marrow edema was higher in the soccer group (19 knees, 41.3%) than in the control group (3 knees, 7.3%), P = 0.001. Other abnormalities found in this sample (joint effusion, cartilage lesions, tendinopathy, ganglion cysts, and infrapatellar fat pat edema) were not significantly different between the two study groups.Asymptomatic adolescents had a high prevalence of abnormal findings on knee imaging, especially bone marrow edema. This prevalence was higher among soccer players.4 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:59-65.

Blood flow volume in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) measured by pulsed Doppler has been used in adults to evaluate Crohn disease but has not been utilized in children and adolescents.To establish a cutoff point for normal SMA blood flow using pulsed Doppler US measurement in healthy children and adolescents.The study included healthy volunteers from an urban community, divided into two age groups, children (5-9 years) and adolescents (10-17 years). Anthropometric measurements included waist circumference and body surface area classified according to the z-score of body mass index. Heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and temperature were measured immediately before US evaluation.The average age of the 60 participants was 12.2 years. Of these, 21 (35%) were ages 5-9 years and 39 (65%) were ages 10-17 years; 21 (35%) were boys. Findings of the two examiners coincided for 58 of the 60 (96.7%) participants. SMA blood flow was significantly lower in the children (mean ± SD = 556 ± 122 ml/min) than in adolescents (mean ± SD 775 ± 311 ml/min) (P 0.001). SMA blood flow showed statistically significant positive associations with body surface area.We found that superior mesenteric artery blood flow is significantly lower in children than in adolescents and is associated with body surface area.

Objective To evaluate surfactant production and function in term neonates with transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN). Study design Samples of gastric aspirates collected within 30 minutes of birth from 42 term newborns with gestational age ≥37 weeks (21 patients with TTN and 21 control subjects), delivered via elective cesarean delivery, were analyzed with lamellar body count and stable microbubble test. Results Results of lamellar body counts and stable microbubble tests were significantly lower in the TTN group than in control subjects ( P = .004 and .013, respectively). Lamellar body counts were significantly lower in infants with TTN requiring oxygen for ≥24 hours after birth than in infants requiring oxygen for P = .029). When the cutoff point was 48 hours, the stable microbubble count was significantly lower in the group requiring oxygen for ≥48 hours than in the group requiring oxygen for P = .047). Conclusions Term infants with TTN had low lamellar body counts associated with decreased surfactant function, suggesting that prolonged disease is associated with surfactant abnormalities.

To evaluate three-dimensional (3D) measurements of the lower extremity using a biplanar low-dose X-ray device in children and adolescents. Firstly, 3D measurements of eight dried bones were analysed by a biplanar low-dose X-ray device (LDX) using stereoscopic software and compared with 3D computed tomography (CT). Secondly, 47 lower limbs of children and adolescents were studied using LDX two-dimensional (2D) and 3D measurements. Both parts were evaluated for femoral and tibial lengths and mechanical angles, frontal and lateral knee angulations, and the femoral neck-shaft angle. The 3D specimen comparison between LDX and CT measurements showed no significant differences: femoral length (P = 0.069), tibial length (P = 0.059), femoral mechanical angle (P = 0.475), tibial mechanical angle (P = 0.067), frontal knee angulation (P = 0.198), lateral knee angulation (P = 0.646) and femoral neck-shaft angle (P = 0.068). The comparison between LDX 2D and 3D measurements showed significant differences in tibial length (P = 0.003), femoral mechanical angle (P

The objective of our study was to evaluate whether gray-scale and color Doppler ultrasound can reveal intestinal inflammation in infants with cow's milk allergy (CMA).This study evaluated the clinical findings and grayscale and color Doppler sonograms of 34 infants. Seventeen 0- to 6-month-old infants with suspected CMA and 17 nonsymptomatic age-matched infants were evaluated by a blinded investigator who determined the percentage of vessel density and the thickness of different parts of the bowel. Clinical and sonographic variables were evaluated in the same regions of bowel considering three time points: presentation, after 4 weeks of feeding only amino acid-based formula, and after challenge test. Likelihood ratios and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to define a cutoff point for vascular density percentage.The difference in the percentage of vessel density between patients with CMA (mean, 28.1%) and control infants (mean, 7.77%) was statistically significant. ROC analysis showed that a cutoff point of 18.7% could differentiate between patients with CMA and control infants with 81.8% sensitivity and 94.1% specificity. The area under the curve was 0.941. We found statistical differences in bowel wall thickness between control patients and patients with CMA.There was a significant increase in vessel density in infants younger than 6 months with CMA compared with healthy age-matched infants. The most appropriate cutoff point for vessel density was 18.7%. The results of this study suggest that Doppler ultrasound could be used as a screening tool to diagnose CMA.

Background: Most lesions of the spine of athletes, which often are detected incidentally, do not cause important symptoms or make the athletes discontinue their physical activities. To better understand the significance of these lesions, new imaging studies have been conducted with asymptomatic athletes in several sports, aiming to detect potentially deleterious and disabling abnormalities. Purpose: To compare the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lumbar spine findings in a group of asymptomatic adolescent rowers and in a control group of adolescents matched according to age and sex who do not practice any regular physical activity. Study Design: Cohort study (prevalence); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Our study evaluated 44 asymptomatic adolescent boys distributed in 2 groups of 22 rowers and 22 control subjects. All the examinations were performed using a 0.35-T open-field MRI unit and evaluated by 2 experienced radiologists blinded to the study groups. Each MRI scan was analyzed for the presence of disc degeneration/desiccation, herniated or bulging disc, pars interarticularis stress reaction, and spondylolysis. The Student t test and the Fisher exact test were used for statistical analyses. Results: Nine rowers (40.9%) had at least 1 abnormality detected by MRI in the lumbar spine, whereas only 2 participants (9.1%) in the control group had at least 1 MRI abnormality ( P = .03). Seven disc changes (31.8%) and 6 pars abnormalities (27.3%) were found in the group of elite rowers. In the control group, 3 disc changes (13.6%) and no pars abnormalities were found in the MR scans. The comparison between groups showed statistically significant differences in stress reaction of the pars articularis. Conclusion: Disc disease and pars interarticularis stress reaction are prevalent abnormalities of the lumbar spine of high-performance rowers.

To evaluate the correlation of grey-scale and colour Doppler sonography with colonoscopy and histology to detect bowel inflammation in children.The records of 72 patients with suspected bowel inflammation were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were included in the study if sonography had been performed up to 30 days before colonoscopy. Grey-scale and colour Doppler sonography were used to evaluate bowel wall thickness and vascularity for the detection of distal bowel inflammation. Findings were correlated with colonoscopy and histological findings. The sensitivity and specificity of sonographic wall thickness to detect inflammation was determined. Spearman's coefficient (rs) was used to determine the correlation of Doppler findings with colonoscopy/histology.Sonograms of 372 bowel segments were evaluated and results were correlated with colonoscopy and histological findings of 352 segments. The sensitivity and specificity of sonographic bowel thickness to detect inflammation in the terminal ileum and the right colon were high; in the other segments, specificity was high but sensitivity was low. The correlation of Doppler sonography with colonoscopy and histology to detect inflammation in the terminal ileum was strong (rs: 0.84; p0.001) and in the other segments, weak to moderate; when the interval between examinations was shorter than 10 days, the correlation was stronger in all segments. Of nine patients with abnormal small bowel sonograms but normal colonoscopies, three had Crohn's disease.Sensitivity and specificity of grey-scale sonography to detect inflammation in the terminal ileum and the right colon were high, and the correlation of Doppler with colonoscopy and histology was very strong in the same segments.

To evaluate the agreement between ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) in detecting intracranial calcification in infants with congenital toxoplasmosis.Forty-four infants referred for investigation of congenital toxoplasmosis were prospectively evaluated, and the diagnosis was confirmed or ruled out by serological testing and by follow-up in the first year of life. The investigation protocol included cranial US and cranial CT, and examinations were conducted and interpreted by two radiologists blinded to the results of the other imaging test and to the diagnostic confirmation.The diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis was confirmed in 33 patients, and agreement between US and CT findings was found in 31 of these cases. Both methods detected calcifications in 18 patients, and neither detected calcifications in 13 patients. Overall agreement was 94% and the kappa coefficient was 0.88 (95% confidence interval: 0.71, 1; p0.001), which revealed almost perfect agreement between the two diagnostic methods.In this study, US and CT demonstrated equal sensitivity in the detection of intracranial calcification in infants with congenital toxoplasmosis.

Objective:To compare the accuracy of computer-aided ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by means of hepatorenal gradient analysis in the evaluation of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adolescents.Materials and Methods:This prospective, cross-sectional study evaluated 50 adolescents (aged 11–17 years), including 24 obese and 26 eutrophic individuals. All adolescents underwent computer-aided US, MRI, laboratory tests, and anthropometric evaluation. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy were evaluated for both imaging methods, with subsequent generation of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calculation of the area under the ROC curve to determine the most appropriate cutoff point for the hepatorenal gradient in order to predict the degree of steatosis, utilizing MRI results as the gold-standard.Results:The obese group included 29.2% girls and 70.8% boys, and the eutrophic group, 69.2% girls and 30.8% boys. The prevalence of NAFLD corresponded to 19.2% for the eutrophic group and 83% for the obese group. The ROC curve generated for the hepatorenal gradient with a cutoff point of 13 presented 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. As the same cutoff point was considered for the eutrophic group, false-positive results were observed in 9.5% of cases (90.5% specificity) and false-negative results in 0% (100% sensitivity).Conclusion:Computer-aided US with hepatorenal gradient calculation is a simple and noninvasive technique for semiquantitative evaluation of hepatic echogenicity and could be useful in the follow-up of adolescents with NAFLD, population screening for this disease as well as for clinical studies. ResumoObjetivo:Comparar a acurácia do ultrassom (US) com análise computadorizada mediante cálculo do gradiente hepatorrenal na avaliação da doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica (DHGNA), utilizando a ressonância magnética (RM) como referência.Materiais e Métodos:Este estudo, transversal prospectivo, avaliou 50 adolescentes (idades de 11 a 17 anos), sendo 24 deles obesos e 26 eutróficos. Todos os adolescentes foram submetidos a exames de US com análise computadorizada, RM, exames laboratoriais e avaliação antropométrica. Foram calculados sensibilidade, especificidade, valores preditivos positivos e negativos e acurácia, seguindo a posterior geração de curva ROC (receiver operating characteristic) e cálculo da área sob a curva estabelecida, para determinar o melhor ponto de corte para o gradiente hepatorrenal, para predizer graus de esteatose, utilizando os resultados da RM como padrão ouro.Resultados:Resultados: No grupo de obesos, 29,2% foram meninas e 70,8% foram meninos, e no grupo de eutróficos, 69,2% foram meninas e 30,8% foram meninos. A prevalência de DHGNA foi 19,2% nos eutróficos e 83% nos obesos. A curva ROC gerada para o gradiente hepatorrenal, com ponto de corte de 13, apresentou sensibilidade de 100% e especificidade de 100%. Considerando o mesmo ponto de corte para os eutróficos, haveria 9,5% de falso-positivos (especificidade de 90,5%) e 0% de falso-negativos (sensibilidade de 100%).Conclusão:O US com análise computadorizada, com o cálculo do gradiente hepatorrenal, é técnica simples e não invasiva para avaliação semiquantitativa da ecogenicidade hepática e poderá vir a ser de ajuda no seguimento de adolescentes com DHGNA, no rastreamento populacional dessa doença e para estudos clínicos.

The purpose of our study was to determine the size and appearance of normal and torsed testicular appendages on color Doppler sonography.Thirty-three patients with acute scrotal pain underwent gray-scale and color Doppler sonography and subsequent surgery. Twenty-two patients had torsion of the appendix testis, six had epididymitis, three had torsion of the testis, and two had torsion of the appendix epididymidis. The testicular appendages of 30 patients and the testes of three were excised and sent to the laboratory for histopathologic examination.A testicular appendage was identified on color Doppler sonography in 23 patients (21 patients with torsed appendages and two patients with epididymitis). The torsed appendixes testis measured from 4.1 to 16.3 mm, and the normal appendixes in the two patients with epididymitis measured 4.1 and 5.6 mm. With the visualization of an appendix larger than 5.6 mm as the sonographic diagnostic criterion for torsion of a testicular appendage, sensitivity was 68.2% (95% confidence interval (CI), 45.1-85.3%), and specificity was 100% (CI, 74.7-100%).The identification of a testicular appendage larger than 5.6 mm is suggestive of torsion. Therefore, depending on the patients' clinical conditions, these cases can be treated conservatively when an appendage larger than 5.6 mm is identified.

OBJECTIVE. We know of only one previous study that has described the sonographic appearances of the inflamed Meckel's diverticulum in several cases (nine patients). Our study reviews sonographic, clinical, and pathologic findings in 10 patients with an inflamed Meckel's diverticulum. We also describe unique findings on color Doppler sonography for two of our patients.CONCLUSION. Sonographic findings of an inflamed Meckel's diverticulum may mimic findings for acute appendicitis or intestinal duplication. In patients with rectal bleeding due to diverticulitis, the visualization of a tubular hyperechoic structure on sonography is suggestive of Meckel's diverticulum. The inflamed Meckel's diverticulum may present as a cyst, but its mucosal layer is more irregular than that found in an intestinal duplication. We found that routine color Doppler sonography revealed anomalous vessels and signs of inflammation on the wall of the Meckel's diverticulum.

O divertículo de Meckel é a anomalia congênita mais comum do trato gastrintestinal e a hemorragia é a complicação mais frequente. Cintilografia, ultrassonografia modo B e com Doppler, e tomografia computadorizada podem ser utilizadas para detectar complicações. Descrevemos dois casos de divertículo de Meckel complicado detectados à ultrassonografia, cujos achados foram diferentes dos descritos na literatura.

A literatura relata somente alguns casos de recém-nascidos com ascite urinária, geralmente secundária a ruptura de bexiga urinária e não de um cálice renal. Este relato de caso descreve um caso raro de ascite urinária em recém-nascido com válvula de uretra posterior que teve ruptura de um cálice renal, neste caso diagnosticada, até onde sabemos, pela primeira vez por ultrassonografia.

Trichuriasis affects children at an estimated prevalence rate of 17% in the world population. It sometimes affects the colon and causes unspecific symptoms and laboratory findings. This case describes a child with unspecific abdominal symptoms. Color Doppler sonography showed signs of diffuse colitis and colonoscopy demonstrated colonic infection by Trichuris. US was useful to orient the investigation. We describe color Doppler sonography findings and review the medical literature about the radiological findings of this entity.

OBJECTIVE. This study evaluates noncompressive sonography of appendicitis in children according to the potential positions of the appendix. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. We evaluated 425 consecutive boys and girls clinically suspected of having appendicitis. Noncompressive sonography used a 5.0-MHz curved-array transducer to assess deep layers. We systematically investigated the possible positions of the appendix by evaluating the right retrocecal region through the flank, the pelvis through the suprapubic region with the urinary bladder full, and the right lower quadrant. Whenever the appendix was not visualized, graded compression examination was performed with 5.0-MHz curved-array and 7.5-MHz linear transducers, and the remainder of the abdomen was thoroughly examined with 5.0- and 3.75-MHz curved-array transducers. Sonographic findings were correlated with pathology findings after surgery in 212 cases and with clinical follow-up in 213. RESULTS. Of the 425 patients with abdominal pain, 199 had surgically confirmed appendicitis; noncompressive examination accurately identified 135 (31.7%) of these 425 cases, and the combined noncompressive and compressive examinations diagnosed 196 cases. The combined noncompressive and compressive techniques had a sensitivity of 98.5% (95% confidence interval, 96.8‐100), specificity of 98.2% (96.5‐99.9), positive and negative predictive values of 98.0% (99.9) and 98.7% (97.2‐100), respectively. CONCLUSION. The noncompressive technique is a valuable tool in sonographic investigation of appendicitis.

Prenatal exposure to cocaine has been associated with a wide spectrum of structural abnormalities in infant brains. The growing use of crack, a smokable and extremely addictive form of cocaine, could exacerbate the situation. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency, type and severity of cerebral lesions detected by transfontanellar US in newborns exposed to crack during gestation. This was a retrospective study, involving a review of the medical records of children who were born to crack-using women and who were subjected to transfontanellar US imaging during their first days of life. Transfontanellar US revealed abnormalities in 45/129 newborns examined (34.9%). The changes detected were subependymal cysts in 24 infants (18.6%), lenticulostriate vasculopathy in 18 infants (14%), subependymal hemorrhage in 9 infants (7%), and choroid plexus cysts in 9 infants (7%). All of the abnormalities found by US examination were discrete and likely without clinical significance for the babies. However, prospective studies with a long period of tracking are needed to determine whether there are later consequences on the neurodevelopment of children with prenatal exposure to crack.

Background Swimming is a widespread sporting activity generally regarded as an ideal form of exercise, which has little or no impact on the knees. However, overuse or repetitive microtrauma injuries may often affect the knee joint of young competitive swimmers. These early lesions are frequently asymptomatic for a considerable period of time before causing discomfort or joint pain. Purpose The aim of the present study is to use MRI to evaluate the knee joints of asymptomatic young elite swimmers and to compare them with age- and sex-matched controls who do not practice any impact sports regularly. Study design Cross-sectional case–control study. Material and methods The authors performed a cross-sectional controlled study to evaluate 54 knees of 27 asymptomatic male adolescents aged 14–15 years, paired by age and weight. Participants were divided in two groups: 13 elite swimmers and 14 control adolescents. The authors performed all the exams using a 0.35-T open-field MRI unit and evaluated by two experienced radiologists blinded to study groups. The images were evaluated to detect the presence or absence of abnormalities. Results One or more imaging abnormalities were detected in 18 knees in the group of swimmers (69.2%; p=0.013). The most prevalent findings in the athletes were infrapatellar fat pad edema (53.8%; p=0.049), followed by bone marrow edema (26.9%; p=0.022), edema of prefemoral fat pad (19%; p=0.022) and joint effusion (15.3%; p=0.047). Conclusion Significantly more MRI abnormalities were found in the knee joints of asymptomatic adolescent elite swimmers. This high prevalence of positive imaging findings in swimmers may correspond to benign changes or preclinical lesions, which should be evaluated in a follow-up study.

Over the past few years, the development of newtechnologies applied to different imaging modalities hasdetermined a considerable impact on the diagnosis, stag-ing and treatment of neoplastic diseases. Consequentlyan increase has been observed in patient survival aswell as in cure rates. Among neoplasms, Hodgkin’s lym-phomas (HL) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL)have been highlighted, with a considerable prevalencein the pediatric population.Malignant lymphomas correspond to approxi-mately 5% to 6% of all malignant neoplasias, and arethe fifth most frequent type of cancer in the UnitedStates

The knee is the joint that is most frequently injured in boys 12-15 years old who practice soccer, and MRI is an accurate method of diagnosing sports-related injuries. The objective of this cross-sectional case-control study was to evaluate the knees of asymptomatic adolescent soccer players using open MRI.We evaluated 56 knees of 28 asymptomatic male adolescents 14-15 years old. Participants were divided into two groups and paired by age and weight: soccer players (28 knees) and control subjects (28 knees). All the examinations were performed using a 0.35-T open-field MRI unit and were evaluated by two experienced radiologists blinded to study groups. Bone marrow signal, articular cartilage, meniscus, and fat pad abnormalities and the amount of fluid were assessed.In the group of soccer players, 18 knees (64.3%) had one or more MRI abnormalities, whereas in the control group nine knees (32.1%) had at least one MRI abnormality (p = 0.03). The prevalence of bone marrow edema was much greater in the group of soccer players (14 knees, 50%), whereas the same abnormality was found in only one knee (3.6%) in the control group (p = 0.0001). Other abnormalities that were not statistically significant with regard to study group were also found in the two groups: infrapatellar fat pad edema, popliteal cysts, and ganglion cysts.Bone marrow edema is a prevalent abnormal finding on MRI scans of knees of asymptomatic adolescent soccer players. MRI findings should be interpreted cautiously and in close correlation with clinical findings.

To evaluate the feasibility and safe operationalization of a pediatric glycemic control protocol in the setting of a general pediatric intensive care unit in a developing country.Prospective, observational cohort study carried out over 12 months.Fourteen-bed pediatric intensive care unit in Brazil.Children requiring mechanical ventilation with at least one organ system dysfunction were included.Glucose was monitored and insulin used for persistent hyperglycemia (glucose140 mg/dL [7.8 mmol/L] for at least two observations separated by at least a 1-hr interval), with a target glucose during insulin use of 60-140 mg/dL (3.3-7.8 mmol/L).Out of 410 admissions, 144 children met the criteria for applying the protocol. One hundred fourteen of 144 (79%) children had at least one peak glucose level that was hyperglycemic, but only 44 (31%) children required insulin. Insulin infusion was most frequently started on day 1 (61%), with a glucose level at the time of 229 ± 79 mg/dL (12.7 ± 4.4 mmol/L). The mean glucose level after 6 hrs of insulin was 172 ± 87 mg/dL (9.6 ± 4.8 mmol/L), and the time to achieve the target glucose range was 9.5 (2-20) hrs (median [interquartile range]). The overall duration of insulin was 24.5 (10-48) hrs, and the average dose required was 0.06 ± 0.03 U/kg/hr. In the whole series, the peak glucose level was 202 ± 93 mg/dL (11.2 ± 5.2 mmol/L), with no difference between survivors and nonsurvivors. There was no difference in mortality when different glucose bands were considered and no association between glucose level and mortality. The overall rate of hypoglycemia (glucose40 mg/dL [2.2 mmol/L]) was 8.3%, and it was more common in those receiving insulin (20% vs. 3%, p.05).Hyperglycemia is frequent in critically ill children managed in a pediatric intensive care unit in a developing country. Using a glycemic control protocol, one-third of these children required insulin, but attendants should be aware of a significant risk of hypoglycemia in this setting. Based on these data, a trial to detect a 20% relative reduction in mortality (power 90%, p = .05) associated with insulin in a similar population would need to screen10,000 patients.

The formation of a prostatic utricle cyst is a congenital abnormality in the involution of Mullerian ducts. This report describes an infant boy with bilateral epididymitis and a prostatic utricle cyst detected using a perineal US approach. According to our literature review, the use of US to detect this abnormality is rare. The perineal approach provides a better visualization of the cyst than the abdominal approach, and the relation between the cyst and the adjacent anatomic structures can be determined.

No simple computer-assisted method for assessing liver echogenicity has been developed to date. This study describes an accessible and reproducible computer-assisted method for measuring liver echogenicity in obese (body mass index [BMI]/= 97th percentile) and normal-weight (BMI from 25th to 75th percentile) children and correlates the results with laboratory test results.Twenty-two children (age range, 6-11 years) were assigned to one of two groups of 11 children each and paired by sex and age. All children underwent ultrasound, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory tests. A hepatorenal index was calculated using software to analyze the difference in echogenicity between the liver parenchyma and kidney cortex. The Student's t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analyses.The hepatorenal index was statistically different between the obese and normal-weight children (33.9 +/- 6.6 vs 14.1 +/- 6.1, p0.001). The analysis of laboratory tests of obese and normal-weight children revealed statistically significant differences in the values of glucose (p = 0.034), insulin (p = 0.008), triglycerides (p = 0.036), uric acid (p0.001), and alkaline phosphatase (p = 0.045).Computer-assisted analysis of ultrasound liver echogenicity using the software is an accessible, reproducible, and easy-to-use diagnostic tool for calculating the hepatorenal index. This tool may be used for follow-up and control in the treatment of fat infiltration in the liver of obese children.

Atherosclerosis, beginning in childhood, is dependent on several risk factors and may be predictive of coronary artery disease in adulthood. The risk factors for subclinical atherosclerosis are similar to those for clinical disease. Carotid intima-media thickness is a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis and a predictor of subsequent vascular events. This study aimed to examine the relationships of carotid intima-media thickness with known risk factors in asymptomatic children. Family history of cardiovascular disease was collected, together with anthropometric, demographic, and clinical data. Body mass index z-scores were calculated. Serum glucose, lipid fractions, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein were determined. High-resolution ultrasonography was used to assess intima-media thickness. Associations and relationships of risk factors with composite intima-media thickness were explored. The study enrolled 93 children (44 girls) ranging in age from 49 to 169 months. The boys had a thicker intima-media (0.46 +/- 0.06 mm) than the girls (0.43 +/- 0.06 mm; p = 0.028). The unadjusted triglyceride levels were significantly higher in the overweight and obese children (p = 0.010). Body mass index and overweight/obesity were positively related to intima-media thickness (r = 0.259; p = 0.012 and r (s) = 0.230; p = 0.027, respectively), whereas family history of cardiovascular disease was unrelated. Only gender and overweight/obesity were related to intima-media thickness in a multiple linear regression model (R (2) = 0.125; p = 0.002). Male gender and overweight/obesity were associated with increased intima-media thickness, whereas family history of cardiovascular disease was unrelated.

To evaluate asymptomatic children and adolescents to determine the rate of detection of the normal appendix at unenhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.This study was approved by the medical ethics committees of the authors' institutions, and informed consent was obtained from participants' parents or guardians. Forty asymptomatic volunteers underwent MR imaging to detect the appendix. Mean age (+/- standard deviation) for the 18 boys was 12.8 years +/- 2.4 (range, 9-17 years) and for the 22 girls was 12.7 years +/- 2.7 (range, 8-17 years). The MR imaging protocol consisted of axial T1-weighted fast spin-echo (SE), axial and coronal T2-weighted fast SE, and axial T2-weighted fat-saturated fast SE sequences. Two observers interpreted results independently, and kappa coefficients were calculated to evaluate agreement. The rate of detection was defined as the percentage of times that the appendix was visualized with at least one sequence. Body mass index was recorded for all participants.The normal appendix was detected by one observer in 19 cases (48%) and by the other in 20 cases (50%). The rate of appendix detection after observers reached a consensus was 48% (95% confidence interval: 32%, 64%). Interobserver agreement for appendix detection was good for most sequences analyzed. The greatest rate of normal appendix detection was found with the axial T2-weighted fast SE sequence (48%).The rate of normal appendix detection in children and adolescents at unenhanced MR imaging was 48%, which is similar to computed tomographic but lower than ultrasonographic detection rates.