ABSTRACT
Prenatal diagnosis of congenital atresia of the larynx is difficult but is possible by the findings of increased lung echogenicity and size coexisting with fetal ascites in ultrasonography. Sonographic findings may not always be typical. We report on a case of congenital laryngeal atresia diagnosed prenatally by the findings of fetal hydrops and hyperechogenic lungs. Our case presented with oligohydramnios. We also review syndromes that demonstrate laryngeal anomalies.
Subject(s)
Laryngostenosis/diagnostic imaging , Larynx/abnormalities , Ultrasonography, Prenatal , Abortion, Eugenic , Adult , Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital/diagnostic imaging , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Laryngostenosis/congenital , Laryngostenosis/pathology , Larynx/diagnostic imaging , Male , PregnancyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Natural cell death due to apoptotic mechanisms has been described in various species. Relatively few studies examined this process in humans. AIM: To investigate the distribution of apoptosis in fetal brain tissue. DESIGN: We examined apoptosis in the frontal region of human fetal brain by the TUNEL method in nine fetuses with no neurological conditions, gestational age 14-26 weeks, and three fetuses with structural anomalies of the nervous system (lumbar meningomyeloceles, n=2, hydrocephalus, n=1). RESULTS: In normal fetuses, TUNEL-positive cells were most concentrated in the intermediate zone (IZ) and between 18 and 22 weeks of gestation; cortical apoptosis was not prominent. The fetus with hydrocephalus had increased numbers of TUNEL-positive cells while those with neural tube defects did not differ from normals. CONCLUSION: The definition of normally occurring apoptosis may provide a basis for further studies directed at central nervous system (CNS) malformations.
Subject(s)
Apoptosis/physiology , Frontal Lobe/embryology , Nervous System Malformations/embryology , Organogenesis/physiology , Biomarkers/analysis , Cell Count , DNA Fragmentation/physiology , Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct , Frontal Lobe/metabolism , Frontal Lobe/pathology , Gestational Age , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , In Situ Nick-End Labeling , Male , Nervous System Malformations/metabolism , Nervous System Malformations/pathologyABSTRACT
Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a multisystemic vasculitis. Nervous system involvement is usually underestimated. Headaches, mental status changes and seizures are the most frequent neurologic symptoms. Ataxia and mononeuropathy are both very rare. We present an 11-year-old boy with HSP who suffered from ataxia during the initial presentation and peripheral neuropathy at the time of a relapse. Brainstem vasculitic involvement was shown by magnetic resonance imaging, while cranial tomography was normal. All the neurologic symptoms and signs resolved following bolus methylprednisolone administration. Ten months later he had a second course of HSP with skin and renal involvement. A percutaneous renal biopsy, which was performed due to persistent hematuria, revealed mesangial proliferation with IgA deposition. During that period the patient experienced pain and numbness in the right foot and leg; electromyography showed signs of mononeuritis multiplex involving the right posterior tibial nerve. The patient responded to steroid therapy.
