Ability of S100B to predict post-concussion syndrome in paediatric patients who present to the emergency department with mild traumatic brain injury.

INTRODUCTION: Among children who sustain mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), 10-30% develop a cluster of cognitive, physical, and emotional symptoms commonly referred to as post-concussion syndrome (PCS). Symptoms typically resolve within 7-10 days, but a minority of patients report symptoms that persist for months or even years. The aim of our study was to identify a neurobiochemical marker after mTBI that can predict the presence of post-concussion syndrome three months after head injury in paediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children between 7 and 16 years of age who had head trauma and no other complaints were included. Three months after the initial visit, participants or parents/guardians were interviewed in person about the children's PCS symptoms using the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ). RESULTS: The mean value of S100B protein in serum in 38 patients without signs of PCS was 0.266 µg L-1, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.221 - 0.310 µg L-1. Among the 22 patients with signs of PCS, the mean value of S100B protein in serum was 0.845 µg L-1, with a 95% CI of 0.745-0.945 µg L-1. Patients with signs of PCS had higher S100B protein levels than those without signs of PCS (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our prospective study showed that S100B protein is a useful neurobiomarker for detecting paediatric patients at risk for post-concussion syndrome. We found that the biomarker S100B correlated with the severity of traumatic brain injury (number of lesions on CT) and the presence of post-concussion syndrome.

Endoscopic management of vesicoureteral reflux in children in kosova.

INTRODUCTION: Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children has been treated with subureteric deflux injection of Deflux (dextranomer hyaluronic acid copolymer) since 2009. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of endoscopic treatment of VUR in our clinic. METHODS: Between March 2009 and December 2013, fifty-five children underwent endoscopic subureteral injection of Deflux in 78 ureters. Two months postoperatively voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) was performed. This study examined the disappearance of VUR and urinary tract infection (UTI) as well as the quality of life during long-term follow-up. RESULTS: The study included 55 patients (40 females and 15 males) with 78 refluxing ureters. There were 22 refluxed ureters altogether and 33 children had a unilateral reflux (two duplicated systems). All patients were treated, from the age 6 months up to 12 years old. The mean age of patients was 5.2 years. There has been no complications, but with few recurrences. In 6 patients (16.6%), endoscopic treatment with deflux was done twice, while in three patients (8.5%), the endoscopic treatment with deflux was performed three times, because of recurrence. CONCLUSION: We recommend the use of endoscopic Deflux injection as first line treatment for children with VUR. Endoscopic subureteral injection of Deflux is a minimally invasive method for VUR treatment in pediatric patients and is associated with low morbidity.