Abdominal Radiography for the Evaluation of Acute Fecal Impaction in Children in Pediatric Emergency Department: Comparison of Three Scoring Methods

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate suitable tools for an approach to acute fecal impaction by comparison of the Leech, Barr and Blethyn scoring methods in pediatric emergency department (PED). METHODS: Children with diagnosis of fecal impaction were included in this study at PED of Seoul National University Hospital. Of them, 50 children were randomly selected and their radiographs were independently scored on two occasions at two weeks intervals using three scoring methods by nine emergency physicians and one radiologist. Inter-observer and intra-observer agreement were assessed by calculating intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Likert scale was used to assess the easiness and effectiveness of Leech, Barr and Blethyn scoring methods. RESULTS: (I) Inter-observer agreement: The ICC values of the Leech, Barr and Blethyn were 0.861, 0.887, and 0.821 at first trial and 0.889, 0.891, and 0.827 at second trial, respectively (p0.8) were 5, 6 and 2 in Leech, Barr and Blethyn, respectively. (III) Easiness and effectiveness: The mean Likert scale of the Leech, Barr and Blethyn in easiness was 4.4, 1.4, and 3.9 and in effectiveness, 3.9, 2.9, and 3.2, respectively; it showed significant differences for both attributes (p<0.001, p=0.03, respectively). In post-hoc test, the Leech was assumed to be easier and more effective than Barr (p<0.001). However, no significant differences in easiness and effectiveness were observed between Leech and Blethyn (p=0.37, p=0.14, respectively). CONCLUSION: The Leech, Barr and Blethyn have all good inter-observer agreement. The Leech has been found to carry better intra-observer agreement than the other two, and may be one of the easiest and most effective tools for the evaluation of acute fecal impaction in children in PED.

Utility of Tetanos Quick Stick(R) Test for Selective Tetanus Prophylaxis

PURPOSE: Tetanus is still one kind of major health problem in many countries, so tetanus prophylaxis is very important. However medical interview and wound description are not always enough to determine the tetanus prophylaxis. Thus, we assessed the utility of Tetanos Quick Stick(R) test for selective tetanus prophylaxis in the emergency department. METHODS: From September 17, 2003 to October 4, 2003, 180 patients were studied for 14 days. Tetanos Quick Stick (R) and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were performed with 180 samples from 180 patients. RESULTS: The Tetanos Quick Stick(R) had a sensitivity of 79.6%, a specificity of 99.2%, a positive predictive value of 97.7 %, a negative predictive value of 91.9%, and an accuracy of 93.3%. CONCILUSION: The results of our study revealed that the Tetanos Quick Stick(R) test is useful for selective tetanus prophylaxis in the emergency department.

Diffusion-weighted Imaging in Isolated Vertigo Patients Having Risk Factors for Stroke

BACKGROUND: The management of vertiginous patients is a great challenge to emergency physicians. We evaluated the diagnostic value of a diffusion-weighted image(DWI) in differentiating central vertigo from the peripheral vertigo in patients who presented no neurological symptoms other than risk factors for stroke. METHODS: From March 2000 to February 2001, we retrospectively analyzed the cases of 68 patients who visited the emergency department with symptoms of isolated vertigo and who had risk factors for stroke. DWIs, computed tomograms(CT), and medical records were reviewed, and the final diagnose, the DWIs and the CT readings, the risk factors for stroke, and the time it took waiting for a DWI or CT scan were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 68 patients, 21(30.8%) had central vertigo: 15 vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attacks(VB-TIA), 4 brain stem infarctions, 1 cerebellar infarction, and 1 cerebellopeduncular infarction. The DWI showed a 28.6% sensitivity, a 97.9% specificity, and an 85.7% positive predictive value in diagnosing central vertigo. It also had a 100% sensitivity in detecting infarctions. CONCLUSION: A DWI had a comparable sensitivity to MRI in detecting central vertigo and small, but potentially, lethal infarctions in our patient population. We recommend clinical application of DWI in the emergency department evaluation of isolated vertigo patients with risk factors for stroke.