Neurological Outcome of Ischemic Stroke in Children: a Single Center Study / 대한소아신경학회지

PURPOSE: Ischemic stroke is rarely seen in children, but it could cause mortality and result in developmental disabilities such as motor paralysis, cognitive dysfunction, and epilepsy. In this study, the neurological outcomes of ischemic stroke in children were reviewed and the factors associated with the neurological outcomes were to be analyzed. METHODS: Medical records of patients younger than 15 years of age who were newly diagnosed with ischemic stroke between January 2006 and December 2016 in Chonnam National University Hospital were reviewed. RESULTS: This study consisted of 38 patients with ischemic stroke (male/female= 18/20, mean age=6 years 1 month±4 years 8 months). Neurological outcomes assessment was done at least 1 year after the onset of ischemic stroke. 10 patients (26.3%) had no neurological impairments. Motor paralysis was noted in 22 (57.9%), cognitive dysfunction was in 9 (23.7%), and epilepsy in 20 (52.6%). Among the possible risk factors for neurological impairments (age, sex, early seizures, characteristics of the infarcted lesions, abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG) findings), abnormalities on EEG findings were significantly associated with cognitive dysfunction (P=0.026) and the occurrence of early seizures with epilepsy (P=0.000). CONCLUSION: Neurological impairments were remained in 73.7% of children one year after ischemic stroke. Cognitive dysfunction was associated with abnormalities on EEG findings within 2 weeks after the onset of ischemic stroke and epilepsy with the occurrence of early seizures.

Thyroid autoimmunity in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE: This study aim to investigate the occurrence of autoimmune thyroid disease in children and adolescents at onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and to assess whether the presence of diabetes-specific autoantibodies can predict the autoimmune thyroid disorder. METHODS: Seventy-three children with T1DM were recruited. Glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA), islet cell antibodies (ICA), insulin autoantibodies (IAA), and thyroid antibodies were determined in all patients at the time of diagnosis. RESULTS: The majority of patients (87.7%) had at least one pancreatic antibody (74.0% for GADA, 20.5% for ICA, and 24.7% for IAA). Thyroid autoantibodies were found in 19 of 73 patients (26.0%) at diagnosis. Thyroid autoimmunity (TA) incidence was not statistically significant by GADA or ICA positivity, but significantly higher by IAA positivity (P=0.03), and IAA positivity showed odds ratio, 4.931; 95% confidence interval, 1.323-18.381 for TA. CONCLUSION: The IAA positivity in children and adolescents with TIDM was strongly related to positivity of thyroid autoantibodies and thus it could serve as an index for early prediction of the development of the thyroid autoimmune disorder among children and adolescents with TIDM.

Acute Kidney Injury and Postobstructive Diuresis Caused by a 4 mm Urinary Calculus

Urinary obstructions from ureteral calculi are one of the causes of postrenal acute kidney injury (AKI). Here we present a case of AKI caused by a 4 mm ureteral calculus with postobstructive diuresis following the spontaneous passage of the calculus. A 13-year-old girl who underwent nephrectomy for the removal of a neuroblastoma eight years previously, visited our institution because anuria had developed over the preceding five days. The serum creatinine level was elevated at 13.4 mg/dL. Radiological examinations showed the right solitary kidney with moderate hydronephrosis and a 4 mm calculus in the upper right ureter. The patient immediately underwent hemodialysis. After the ureteral calculus was passed spontaneously on day 2 of hospitalization, urinary output increased to more than 5,200 mL per day. Intravenous fluid replacement with careful monitoring of weight, intake, output, and serum and urine electrolytes was performed. On day 5 of hospitalization, the patient's condition stabilized.

Random Urinary Calcium/Creatinine Ratio for Screening Hypercalciuria in Children with Hematuria

BACKGROUND: Hypercalciuria is one of the most common causes of unexplained isolated hematuria. The diagnostic methods for hypercalciuria have not yet been standardized. The aim of this study was to assess whether random urinary calcium/creatinine ratio could be used as a screening tool for hypercalciuria in children with hematuria. METHODS: This prospective study included 264 children with primary hematuria for whom both random and 24 hr urinary evaluations were performed. Pearson correlation and ROC curve were used to assess the correlations. A multiple linear regression model was used to analyze effects of age, weight, height, body mass index, and body surface area on random urinary calcium/creatinine ratio. RESULTS: There was a moderately strong correlation between random urinary calcium/creatinine ratio and 24 hr urinary calcium excretion (r=0.584, P<0.001). The most appropriate cutoff value of random urinary calcium/creatinine ratio for the estimation of hypercalciuria was 0.075 mg/mg (sensitivity, 77.8%; specificity, 64.3%; area under the curve, 0.778). Body mass index and 24 hr urinary calcium excretion significantly affected random urinary calcium/creatinine ratio with a low coefficient of determination (r2=0.380, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Random urinary calcium/creatinine ratio is not suitable for screening hypercalciuria in children with hematuria. Twenty-four hour urinary analysis should be performed to diagnose hypercalciuria in children with hematuria.

Cranioplasty in Frontometaphyseal Dysplasia

Frontometaphyseal dysplasia is a rare genetic syndrome first described by Gorlin and Cohen in 1969. This disease affects the skeletal system and connective tissue, and could be characterized by hyperostosis of the skull, prominence of supraorbital ridges, additional skeletal and extraskeletal abnormalities. It is believed that the condition is an X-linked dominant trait with severe manifextations in males and extreme variability in females. We described a case of 15-year-old boy manifested a pronounced supraorbital ridge associated with exorbitism. He also had bilateral progressive hearing deficit, thoracic spine scoliosis, chest wall deformity, bilateral maxillary sinusitis and both 5th finger arachnodactyly. The patient underwent a fronto-temporo-orbital cranioplasty through a coronal incision. The frontal bone including supraorbital region, orbital lateral rim and temporal bone were extensively contoured with burr. And then, burring of the medial aspect of lateral orbital wall was made to increase both orbital volume for correction of exorbitism. Postoperative results show well corrected prominent supraorbital ridge, hyperostosis of frontotemporal bone and exorbitism. The patient was satisfied with the improved appearance. No recurrence occurred during the 6 months of follow-up period. We report this case as it shows esthetically good result without any complication.

Clinical Efficacy of 7-French Catheter for Initial Treatment of Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Goal of the initial treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax is re-expansion of the lung by evacuation of air from pleural space. Authors thought small caliber catheter could reach to this goal instead of conventional large bore chest tube. This retrospective study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of 7-French (Fr) catheter for the initial treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between May 2003 and April 2005, 111 patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax were managed with tube drainage; 7 Fr catheter for 86 patients and 24-French chest tube for 25 patients. We analyzed catheter indwelling time, use of analgesics, re-expansion of the lung, and catheter related problems by medical records. RESULT: Mean catheter indwelling time was 2.4+/-1.1 days in 7 Fr group and 2.3+/-1.3 days in chest tube group (p>0.05). All patients with 24 Fr catheter needed analgesics injection but never in 7Fr group. Complete re-expansion of the lung based on plane chest radiograph was obtained in 77% of 7 Fr group. The problem related with 7 Fr catheter was kinking, which showed in 5.6%. CONCLUSION: Application of the 7 Fr catheter for initial management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax was as effective as 24 Fr catheter.

Noble Tip for Reduction of V-limb of C-V Flap for Nipple Reconstruction

A nipple can be reconstructed either by nipple sharing or local flap. But donor site scar is inevitable when nipple is reconstructed with local flap method. The scar which remains inside the nipple areolar complex can be hidden by medical tattooing, but elongated scar, which cross over the areolar border leads to poor esthetic result. So as to solve this problem, we used purse string suture method. We reconstructed nipple with C-V flap for 9 patients who previously reconstructed breast with extended latissimus dorsi flap. Purse string suture with 3-0 nylon was used for donor site closure. We minimize 10.7% of the scar length with this method. Enhancement of nipple projection due to the flattening of V limb was attained in addition. We expect the reduction of V-limb of C-V flap and amount of absorption of the reconstructed nipple with purse string suture method.

Endoscopic Excision of Forehead Masses

Conventional direct surgical excision has been the most reliable method in the treatment of the benign tumor in the face but it inevitably leaves visible scar. Although studies of endoscopy-assisted excision in forehead and lateral brow masses representing a diverse group of lesions including lipoma, dermoid cyst and osteoma have been reported, the number of patients was limited. We treated 33 cases of various benign forehead masses with endoscopy-aided surgery from April, 1999 to July, 2004, and the age of the patients ranged from 5 to 54 years. Two slit incisions less than 1.5cm were placed behind the anterior hairline and tumor was excised after the subperiosteal pocket dissection. All masses were completely excised and pathologists confirmed that 19 cases were lipomas, 8 were dermoid cysts and 6 were osteomas. The size of the masses varied from 0.9x0.8cm to 5.0x4.0 cm. Complications such as tumor recurrence, scalp numbness and frontalis paralysis did not occur. There was no contour irregularity found in our series. Incision scars were hidden well posterior to the hairline, so patients were satisfied with the final results. After many experiences, we concluded that endoscopic excision is a simple and undoubtedly safe method, and provides excellent cosmesis in treating not only lipoma but also dermoid cyst and osteoma. It is an effective method for complete excision of various types of tumors in the forehead and brow.