An audit of the management of heart murmurs on the postnatal wards.

BACKGROUND: Investigation and management of neonatal heart murmurs varies widely and is dependent on local resources. In order to standardise the management of heart murmurs in our hospital a guideline (based on clinical examination with selective cardiology review) was introduced. AIMS: To establish adherence to and safety of the guideline; to review workload implications and to define the causes of neonatal heart murmurs in our population. METHODS: Patients were prospectively identified over a 2-year period (August 2006 to July 2008). Case notes were reviewed and examination findings, investigations, follow up and diagnosis recorded. RESULTS: 89 babies were identified. The guideline was generally well adhered to. In total 51 (57%) of babies were referred for cardiology assessment. In 40 babies this assessment included an echocardiogram. 30 babies (34%) had an underlying cardiac malformation: 25 were identified before discharge home. 15/30 (50%) of the babies with a cardiac malformation remain under cardiology follow up at the age of 1 year. No baby discharged from follow up without cardiology review subsequently presented with a cardiac problem. CONCLUSION: A significant minority of babies with a heart murmur have an underlying cardiac malformation. Our guideline appears to ensure the timely identification of these babies and rationalises our use of specialist services.

Solitary osteosclerotic plasmacytoma: association with demyelinating polyneuropathy and amyloid deposition.

A 51-year-old man presented with a 1-year history of polyneuropathy necessitating the use of a wheelchair. Initial diagnosis was idiopathic chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and associated monoclonal gammopathy. Investigations for multiple myeloma, including bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, were negative. What was initially felt to be an incidental osteosclerotic focus noted on the radiographic bone survey was eventually shown to be a solitary osteosclereotic plasmacytoma with associated amyloid. This dramatically altered treatment. This case emphasizes the importance of including osteosclerotic plasmacytoma in the differential diagnosis of a focal sclerotic bone lesion in the clinical setting of polyneuropathy. These lesions are less likely to progress to multiple myeloma than lytic plasma cell neoplasms, and the presence of polyneuropathy often results in earlier diagnosis and treatment with enhanced prospect of cure. The finding of amyloid deposition within the osteosclerotic lesion may be of prognostic importance.

Society of Breast Imaging residency and fellowship training curriculum.

A recently developed Society of Breast Imaging curriculum for residency training is intended to provide guidance to residents and their mentors, and to practicing radiologists who want to keep up to date in screening, diagnosis, and interventional procedures. The curriculum contains lists of key concepts in 14 subject areas: epidemiology; anatomy; pathology, and physiology; equipment and technique; quality control; interpretation; problem-solving mammography; ultrasound; interventional procedures; reporting and medicolegal aspects; screening; MR imaging; therapeutic considerations; and patient management principles. The curriculum also makes recommendations about residency training, including the number of examinations the resident should interpret, and the time the resident should spend in breast imaging. Recommendations for fellowship training are also discussed.