Transthoracic lung and pleura ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool of pulmonary edema in dogs and cats.

Despite the consensus on the role of lung and pleura ultrasound in human medicine, veteri- nary medicine questions credibility of the pulmonary evaluation in ultrasound examination, based on the analysis of artifacts in animals with clinical signs of respiratory failure and possibility of pulmonary edema diagnosis with recognition of the degree of its severity. The study was conduct- ed on 47 animals (29 dogs and 18 cats) of different breeds, age and sex. In all of animals prior to the transthoracic lung and pleura ultrasound examination (TLPUS), all animals were subjected to a clinical examination and hematological blood test as well as chest radiography examination in three projections. Ultrasound imaging of the chest in each animal was performed at designated four defined segments. TLPUS in dogs and cats based on an analysis of artifacts allows recogni- tion of pulmonary edema, to the degree comparable to chest X-ray examination. The number of depicted B-lines artifacts is proportional to the degree of pulmonary edema. These results allow to reduce the number of radiographs and allow the shortening of the diagnostic process for pa- tients in life-threatening condition.

Extrarenal Wilms tumour.

INTRODUCTION: Nephroblastoma is one of the most common solid tumours in children. It also is the most frequent tumour found in the kidneys. In 5 % of cases it affects both kidneys at the same time. About 70 - 80 new cases of Wilms tumour are registered in Poland annually, usually in patients aged from 1 to 7 years. Extrarenal Wilms tumours are extremely rare. Due to its rarity, series with more cases are based upon material collected from many clinical centers. AIM: We would like to present a case of a boy in whom we diagnosed nephroblastoma in the retroperitoneal space 14 years after he had completed a complex therapy for bilateral Wilms tumour. CONCLUSION: The development of an extrarenal tumour 14 years after complex treatment for bilateral nephroblastoma is related to the survival of metanephros located outside the kidney.

[The value of the ultrasonography and computed tomography in diagnosis and monitoring of treatment of renal abscesses in children]. / Wartosc ultrasonografii i tomografii komputerowej w rozpoznawaniu i monitorowaniu leczenia ropni nerek u dzieci.

A retrospective study of 14 patients from 2 to 13 years old with renal abscess was performed. We evaluated the diagnostic value of ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) in diagnostic investigation and treatment of renal abscess, which have changed during the past ten years from classic surgical treatment to percutaneous drainage. US and CT have revealed the diagnosis by showing a hypoechogenic or hypodense mass in all 14 patients. All had an intensive course of antibiotic treatment. In 10 of them the abscess were drained percutaneously by US guided drainage. Percutaneous drainage was unsuccessful in 2 patients, who subsequently underwent classic surgical exploration, incision and drainage for uncontrolled infection. We conclude that US and CT greatly facilitate the diagnosis and permit the percutaneous drainage of renal abscess in paediatric age group, which benefits from this minimally invasive therapy.

[Hydronephrosis in the course of primary psoas abscess]. / Wodonercze w przebiegu pierwontego ropnia miesnia biodrowo-ledzwiowego.

Primary psoas abscess is rare and presents a difficult diagnostic challenge. We present an unusual case of primary psoas abscess causing hydronephrosis in a 11-year-old boy. The presence of hydronephrosis complicated diagnosis, that was definitely confirmed by computerized tomography. Percutaneous drainage of the abscess under ultrasonography guidance combined with antibiotic therapy provided an effective treatment. Culture of the pus showed Staphylococcus aureus. The subject is discussed noting incidence, etiology and methods of treatment of primary and secondary psoas abscesses.

[Algodystrophy--Sudeck syndrome]. / Algodystrofia--zespól Sudeck'a.

Modern views are presented on the development of algodystrophy illustrated with own material with a detailed description of characteristic cases. In the whole material of 175 patients, four age groups, and two groups according to trauma site (hand and foot) were isolated. All patients were subjected to clinical, X-ray, and some to radioisotope examinations. Greatest number of cases of algodystrophy was found in the age group over 60 years which confirmed the observations of other authors. On the basis of the presented material the authors think that of greatest importance are early diagnosis, treatment with of greatest importance are early diagnosis, treatment with analgesics, blood flow improving drugs, and salmon calcitonin, and rehabilitation treatment. It seems also that treatment with magnetic field may be beneficial--however, too small material of patients makes general conclusions impossible.

[Radiologic evaluation of changes occurring in bone under the influence of gentamycin-septopal]. / Radiologiczna ocena zmian zachodzacych w kosci pod wplywem Gentamycyny-Septopalu.

On the basis of several-year experience it was acknowledged that in treatment of chronic blood-derived and traumatic inflammations of bones the introduction of chains of Septopal to treatment was an obvious progress. The changes occurring in the bones of the patients for whom Septopal was left for good in the marrow cavity under the influence of antibiotic were evaluated. The observation included 89 patients for whom X-ray examinations were made many times in various intervals. Initially the chains of antibiotic were surrounded with a thin layer of connective tissue, and after several new-generating osseous tissue grew into them. In none of the observed cases any reaction indicating recoil of the carrier of the antibiotic was noticed.