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Anatomic Abnormalities (anatomic + abnormality)
Selected AbstractsReview article: the role of surgery in gastro-oesophageal reflux diseaseALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 12 2007N. VAKIL Summary Background, Rates for laparoscopic fundoplication are declining in the United States and there is no consensus on the indications for referral to surgery in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Aim, To highlight recent studies on the outcomes of laparoscopic fundoplication in adults that cast doubt on the traditional indications for surgery in reflux disease. Results, Patients who are well maintained on medical therapy have more to lose with surgical intervention than to gain, and should not be offered surgery. Likewise, the notion that surgery prevents oesophageal cancer is a hypothesis that is not supported by current evidence, therefore surgical intervention should not be offered to these patients. The only clear-cut candidates for surgery include: patients with anatomic abnormalities such as a large hiatus hernia, or those with persistent regurgitation that causes troublesome symptoms despite medical therapy; and carefully selected patients with extra-oesophageal disorders who have symptoms of reflux disease such as heartburn and regurgitation, an incomplete response to medical therapy and persistent plus demonstrable reflux on pH or impedance testing that is associated with their symptoms. Patients should be aware of the high likelihood of needing continued acid inhibitory therapy following surgery and the possibility of side-effects. Conclusion, Only a few carefully selected patients should undergo fundoplication for reflux disease. [source] New insights into pediatric rhinosinusitisPEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2007N. Principi Rhinosinusitis is a common children's disease. Most cases are acute, follow an episode of common cold, and are the consequence of a superimposed bacterial infection. If mild, they are characterized by the persistence of signs and symptoms of upper respiratory tract disease for more than 10 days; if severe, they involve fever and a purulent nasal discharge, and can cause a substantial decline in general health. Recurrent acute or chronic cases are usually diagnosed in children with predisposing factors, such as recurrent respiratory tract infections, allergic rhinitis, cystic fibrosis, immunodeficiency, ciliary dyskinesia, anatomic abnormalities or reflux. Therapy is based on antibiotics, administered orally in mild, and intravenously in severe cases. On the basis of recently highlighted antibiotic resistances and the possibility of spontaneous resolution, experts agree in considering amoxicillin the drug of choice for mild cases, and an antibiotic capable of overcoming all possible resistance for severe cases. [source] Aspiration during swallowing in typically developing children of the first nations and inuit in CanadaPEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 10 2006Gina R. Rempel MD Abstract Children of the First Nations and Inuit in Canada have a high propensity for lower respiratory tract infections. Overcrowding, poor housing, passive smoke exposure, and lack of breast feeding (Martens P, Bond R, Jebamani L, Burchill C, et al. http://www.umanitoba.ca/centres/mchp/reports/pdfs/rfn_pdfs/rfn_report.pdf.; MacMillan H, Walsh C, Jamieson E, Crawford A, Boyle M. http://www.hcsc.gc.ca/fnihbdgspni/fnihb/aboriginalhealth/reports_summaries/regional_survey_ch1.pdf.; Wardman AE, Khan NA. Int J Circumpolar Health 2004;63:81,92) have been cited as important contributing factors in the occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections. However, aspiration during swallowing has thus far not been considered as a co-factor in the occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections in these children. We present a retrospective case series of seven typically developing children of the Canadian First Nations and Inuit, in whom aspiration during swallowing was detected in the course of investigating associations with recurrent lower respiratory tract infections. None of the children had any of the known risk factors for aspiration during swallowing such as developmental variation, prematurity, neuromotor problems, or anatomic abnormalities of the upper aerodigestive tract. We speculate that aspiration during swallowing in typically developing children may be an important, previously unrecognized co-factor in the occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections, particularly in the communities of the Canadian First Nations and Inuit. Further prospective studies will be needed to determine whether aspiration during swallowing represents an independent risk factor for the occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections in these children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2006, 41:912,915. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Unusual CNS infection from a subtorcular dermal sinusACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 4 2010PM Kanev Abstract A 14-month-old toddler with a previously unrecognized dermal sinus tract presented with hydrocephalus and raised intracranial pressure. CT and MRI revealed a large posterior fossa dermoid mass. Cultures obtained from CSF and posterior fossa subdural empyema were positive for both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. To the authors's knowledge, this is the first such report. Conclusion:, This case suggests that children who present with CNS infections with unusual pathogens should be carefully evaluated for the presence of anatomic abnormalities including dermal sinus tracts. [source] Utility of positron emission tomography for the detection of disease in residual neck nodes after (chemo)radiotherapy in head and neck cancerHEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 3 2005FRANZCR, Sandro V. Porceddu MBBS Abstract Background. This study evaluates the utility of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) in patients with a node-positive mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who achieved a complete response at the primary site but had a residual mass in the neck 8 weeks or more after definitive (chemo)radiotherapy. Methods. Between October 1996 and July 2002, 39 eligible patients were identified. The reference PET scan was performed at a median of 12 weeks (range, 8,32 weeks) after treatment. Results. PET showed no metabolic activity in the residual mass in 32 patients. Five of these patients had a neck dissection and were all pathologically negative. The remaining 27 patients were observed for a median of 34 months (range, 16,86 months), with only one locoregional failure. The negative predictive value of PET for viable disease in a residual anatomic abnormality was 97%. Conclusion. Patients who have achieved a complete response at the primary site but have a residual abnormality in the neck that is PET negative approximately 12 weeks after treatment do not require neck dissection and can be safely observed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck27: 175,181, 2005 [source] |