Imaging recommendations and algorithms for pediatric tuberculosis: part 1-thoracic tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health problem and is the second leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, behind the novel coronavirus disease of 2019. Children are amongst the most vulnerable groups affected by TB, and imaging manifestations are different in children when compared to adults. TB primarily involves the lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes. Clinical history, physical examination, laboratory examinations and various medical imaging tools are combined to establish the diagnosis. Even though chest radiography is the accepted initial radiological imaging modality for the evaluation of children with TB, this paper, the first of two parts, aims to discuss the advantages and limitations of the various medical imaging modalities and to provide recommendations on which is most appropriate for the initial diagnosis and assessment of possible complications of pulmonary TB in children. Practical, evidence-based imaging algorithms are also presented.

Imaging recommendations and algorithms for pediatric tuberculosis: part 2-extrathoracic tuberculosis.

Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment in recent years, tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health concern. Children are amongst the most vulnerable groups affected by this disease. Although TB primarily involves the lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes, it can affect virtually any organ system of the body. Along with clinical history combined with physical examination and laboratory tests, various medical imaging tools help establish the diagnosis. Medical imaging tests are also helpful for follow-up during therapy, to assess complications and exclude other underlying pathologies. This article aims to discuss the utility, strengths and limitations of medical imaging tools in the evaluation of suspected extrathoracic TB in the pediatric population. Imaging recommendations for the diagnosis will be presented along with practical and evidence-based imaging algorithms to serve as a guide for both radiologists and clinicians.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Pneumococcal Vaccination with the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide NTHi Protein D Conjugate Vaccine in the Philippines.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the cost-effectiveness of a universal mass vaccination (UMV) program with a 2 + 1 schedule of a 10-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV) against two strategies: 1) a no-vaccination strategy and 2) a pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV13) 2 + 1 strategy in the Philippines. METHODS: A published Markov cohort model was adapted to simulate the epidemiological and economic burden of pneumococcal diseases (meningitis, bacteremia, pneumonia, and acute otitis media) within a projected birth cohort in 2012 of 1,812,137 newborns over lifetime. Analyses were conducted at an annual discount rate of 5% from the perspective of the Philippine government. The current evaluation was updated with the best available local/regional clinical epidemiological data and published efficacy evidence. RESULTS: Compared with the no-vaccination strategy, the PHiD-CV 2 + 1 UMV program was projected to prevent 3,343 deaths due to invasive pneumococcal diseases and pneumonia and 326,862 cases of pneumococcal diseases, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 50,913 pesos/quality-adjusted life-year gained, which was considered to be highly cost-effective according to the threshold recommended by the World Health Organization. In comparison with the PCV13 2 + 1 strategy, the PHiD-CV 2 + 1 strategy was estimated to have a substantial reduction in acute otitis media (127,680 cases) and therefore a cost saving of potential 92.5 million pesos assuming price parity between PHiD-CV and PCV13 (US $1 = 42.13 pesos in 2012). CONCLUSIONS: The PHiD-CV 2 + 1 UMV program is projected to be cost-effective, compared with no vaccination, and would provide substantial savings with higher quality-adjusted life-year gains as compared with the PCV13 2 + 1 strategy in the context of the Philippines.