Management of parapneumonic effusion and empyema.

AIMS: To gather data on the clinical presentation of parapneumonic effusion and empyema and to examine the effect of different management strategies on short term outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective case note review of 48 children admitted to a tertiary unit between January 1998 and March 2001. Effusions were classified into three stages dependent on ultrasound findings. RESULTS: The stage of effusion was not associated with duration of previous symptoms or length of previous admission. An interventional procedure was performed on median day 2 of admission in 46 children: eight (17%) had an intercostal drain alone, 14 (29%) had an intercostal drain followed by intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy, and 24 (50%) had a thoracotomy. Three children who had an initial intercostal drain alone returned to theatre for thoracotomy, and two children who had intrapleural fibrinolysis returned for thoracotomy. Median length of stay (interquartile range) for each initial procedure was 15 days (6-20) for intercostal drain alone, 8 days (6-12) for fibrinolytic therapy, and 6.5 days (5-9) for thoracotomy. Stay for intercostal drain alone was significantly longer than for thoracotomy. CONCLUSION: Early surgical management of empyema is associated with a favourable outcome.

A method for bronchoscopic evaluation of salivary aspiration in a disabled child.

Chronic aspiration is a cause of life-threatening respiratory complications and repeated hospital admissions, particularly in children with neurological disabilities. Determining the source of aspiration is important for optimizing treatment. This report describes a simple technique to demonstrate salivary aspiration during fibreoptic bronchoscopy. A child with a history of recurrent pneumonia was given methylene blue orally 2 h prior to fibreoptic bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopy was carried out through a laryngeal mask airway under inhalational anaesthesia. The stained saliva was seen to be pooling in the valleculae and then running down the trachea into the bronchi, confirming salivary aspiration.

Prednisolone in acute childhood asthma: clinical responses to three dosages.

Ninety-eight children aged 1-15 years entered a randomized double-blind study investigating an appropriate dose of oral prednisolone in children admitted to hospital with an acute exacerbation of asthma. None of the children had recently been treated with oral prednisolone. Following admission, the children were randomized to receive prednisolone 0.5 mg kg-1, 1.0 mg kg-1 or 2.0 mg kg-1 in a single daily dose in addition to nebulized bronchodilators. Clinical asthma scores, oxygen saturations, pulse rate, duration of admission and number of nebulizers given were compared in the three treatment groups. Thirty-five children received 0.5 mg kg-1, 33 received 1.0 mg kg-1 and 30 received 2.0 mg kg-1. There were no significant differences in the pattern of recovery between the three treatment groups. There were no advantages in using higher doses of prednisolone. We recommend 0.5 mg kg-1 day-1 of prednisolone as an appropriate dose for treating an acute exacerbation of asthma.

Pilgrim's progress: the effect of salmeterol in older children with chronic severe asthma.

Twenty-four children aged 12-17 years entered a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study investigating the use of salmeterol in chronic severe asthma. In addition to their usual medication, the children were given either placebo or 100 micrograms salmeterol b.d. by dry powder inhalation. Treatment was continued throughout one term at a residential school for asthma. Symptom scores, peak expiratory flow rates, spirometry and quality-of-life scores were compared between the two treatment groups. One child withdrew during the run-in period. Twelve pupils received placebo and 11 pupils received salmeterol. There were consistent improvements in favour of salmeterol, reaching statistical significance for morning and evening peak flow rates and spirometry when measured on four occasions during the study period. There were no medication-related adverse events recorded and no pulse rate changes. Salmeterol (100 micrograms b.d.) is well tolerated and efficacious in older children with chronic severe asthma.