Cervical lymphadenopathy in children: a diagnostic approach

To determine the common causes of persistent cervical lymphadenopathy in children and to test a diagnostic approach. This study was conducted at King Hussein Medical Center/pediatric clinic over one year period to look for all children between ages of 6 months and 14 years with persistent lymph node enlargement. Persistent enlargement is defined as a lymph node > 1 cm in diameter, and > 2 weeks duration. A management algorithm was proposed and followed in the management. One hundred and thirty children presented to infectious diseases clinic with persistent lymph nodes enlargement. In 70 children [53%] the nodes regressed in 2 weeks time, in another 30 children [23%] they regressed in 4 weeks time. Fifteen children [12%] had tuberculous lymphadenitis; 10 children [8%] had lymph node abscess; 3 children [2%] had Epstein Barr virus infection and 2 children [1.5%] had Hodgkin's lymphoma on initial presentation. Reactive lymphadenitis is the commonest cause of cervical lymph node enlargement in children. Majority of lymph nodes regress in 4 weeks time. Persisting lymph nodes more than 4 weeks warrant histological examination. Tuberculosis is a common cause of cervical lymphadenopathy among Jordanian children

Cystic adenomatoid malformation: Unusual cause of neonatal respiratory distress

Cystic adenomatoid malformation is a unilateral hamartomatous lesion that generally presents as marked respiratory distress within the first days of life. This disorder account for 95% of cases of congenital cystic lung disease. We report on a newborn male baby, a product of normal vaginal delivery following uneventful, full term pregnancy born to a healthy, multigravida Jordanian mother. The baby was admitted to neonatal intensive care unit immediately after delivery with respiratory distress. Chest ultrasound revealed a multicystic fluid filled mass lesion in the right lower lobe consistent with the diagnosis of adenomatoid malformation later confirmed by histopathology. The baby underwent surgical excision of the mass lesion that was confined to the right lower lobe. The baby did very well postoperatively and was discharged home in good condition; he is now two years old healthy, asympytomatic and growing normally. Evidence indicates long term prognosis, depending on the amount of normal lung tissue left after surgical resection, is generally good

Holt-oram syndrome: a case report at King Hussein Medical Center

Holt-Oram syndrome [heart- hand syndrome] is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by distinctive skeletal abnormalities of the upper limbs that are frequently associated with congenital heart disease. The cause of these disparate clinical features is unknown. Here we present a case of Holt-Oram syndrome in a newborn that has absent left radius and atrial septal defect. To our knowledge this is the first case to be reported in King Hussein Medical Center and in Jordan