ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most common pediatric malignant neoplasms. The most commonly used tumor markers in the diagnosis and follow-up of this tumor are the serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE), ferritin and lactic dehydrogenase and urinary vanillymandelic and homovanillic acid. The common imaging modalities are CT, MRI and 123I or 131I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy. AIM: The aim of this study is to assess the value of 123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy and serum determinations of NSE and ferritin in the diagnosis and evolution of NB patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 20 patients (8 female, 12 male) whose ages ranged from 2 months to 9 years with a mean age of 2.64 years diagnosed of NB. 47 123I-MIBG scans, 47 NSE determinations and 47 ferritin ones were selected. RESULTS: At the time of diagnosis, 100% of the 123I-MIBG scans were positive. 65% of NSE determinations presented clearly pathological levels and 15% were very near to the cut-off point. Only 45% of the ferritin levels were increased. The differences between the lesions visible by 123I-MIBG scanning before and 3 months after treatment as well as NSE and ferritin levels were studied. When the Student's T test was applied, we found statistically significant pre and post-treatment differences in 123I-MIBG scanning and NSE. In the case of ferritin, there was no statistical significance in spite of the decrease in the values. The direct correlation and Spearman correlation between laboratory data and 123I-MIBG scanning as well as correlation between NSE and ferritin were also studied. There was a good correlation between 123I-MIBG and NSE and between NSE and ferritin. We have also studied the data in 7 relapses. CONCLUSIONS: 123I-MIBG scintigraphy and serum determination of NSE are two successful diagnostic tools for the diagnosis and evolution of NB patients.
Subject(s)
3-Iodobenzylguanidine , Biomarkers, Tumor/blood , Ferritins/blood , Iodine Radioisotopes , Neuroblastoma/diagnostic imaging , Phosphopyruvate Hydratase/blood , Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/blood , Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/diagnosis , Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/mortality , Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/therapy , Child , Child, Preschool , Combined Modality Therapy , Female , Ganglioneuroblastoma/blood , Ganglioneuroblastoma/diagnosis , Ganglioneuroblastoma/diagnostic imaging , Ganglioneuroblastoma/therapy , Humans , Infant , Male , Mediastinal Neoplasms/blood , Mediastinal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Mediastinal Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Mediastinal Neoplasms/mortality , Neuroblastoma/blood , Neuroblastoma/diagnosis , Neuroblastoma/mortality , Neuroblastoma/therapy , Predictive Value of Tests , Radionuclide Imaging , Retroperitoneal Neoplasms/blood , Retroperitoneal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Retroperitoneal Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Retroperitoneal Neoplasms/mortality , Retroperitoneal Neoplasms/therapy , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Acute cholecystitis is an uncommon disease in childhood. Few cases in patients under 10 years of age have been found in literature. An eight-year old male patient with no history of interest who had acute acalculous cholecystitis was reported. Ultrasonographic and isotopic studies led to the diagnosis and control of the patient's evolution.
Subject(s)
Cholecystitis/diagnostic imaging , Acute Disease , Child , Humans , Male , Radionuclide Imaging , Radiopharmaceuticals , Technetium Tc 99m Diethyl-iminodiacetic AcidABSTRACT
La colecistitis aguda en la infancia es una patología muy poco frecuente. Son pocos los casos clínicos publicados en pacientes menores de 10 años. Presentamos el caso de un niño de ocho años, sin antecedentes de interés, con colecistitis aguda alitiásica. Los estudios ecográficos e isotópicos contribuyeron al diagnóstico y control de la evolución de este paciente (AU)
