Clinical Presentation of Toddlers With New Intracranial Space-Occupying Lesions: A Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: Intracranial space occupying lesions (ICSOLs) like tumors and abscesses can be life-threatening conditions. It can be especially difficult to diagnose these conditions in toddlers. We aimed to describe symptoms and signs present in a sample of toddlers with ICSOLs. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 15 toddlers with intracranial tumors, abscesses, or infected cysts. We collected data on the presence of various signs and symptoms on presentation to the emergency department. RESULTS: Eight toddlers (53%) presented with vomiting. A change in behavior was the second most common symptom (6, 40%). Seven children (47%) had motor weakness, and 5 (33%) had ataxia. Eleven of the 12 children with tumors (92%) had documented abnormal neurologic signs on initial physical examination. CONCLUSIONS: Vomiting, a change in behavior, and an abnormal neurologic examination were common signs and symptoms in our sample of toddlers with ICSOLs. An accurate history and appropriate neurologic examination can help physicians make this challenging diagnosis in this age group.

Mortality Benefit From the Passive Leg Raise Maneuver in Guiding Resuscitation of Septic Shock Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.

BACKGROUND: Fluid therapy plays a major role in the management of critically ill patients. Yet assessment of intravascular volume in these patients is challenging. Different invasive and non-invasive methods have been used with variable results. The passive leg raise (PLR) maneuver has been recommended by international guidelines as a means to determine appropriate fluid resuscitation. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to determine if using this method of volume assessment has an impact on mortality outcome in patients with septic shock. METHODS: This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched available data in the MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases from inception until October 2020 for prospective, randomized, controlled trials that compared PLR-guided fluid resuscitation to standard care in adult patients with septic shock. Our primary outcome was mortality at the longest duration of follow-up. RESULTS: We screened 1,425 article titles and abstracts. Of the 23 full-text articles reviewed, 5 studies with 462 patients met our eligibility criteria. Odds ratios (ORs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality at the longest reported time interval were calculated for each study. Using random effects modeling, the pooled OR (95% CI) for mortality with a PLR-guided resuscitation strategy was 0.82 (0.52 -1.30). The included studies were not blinded and they ranged from having low to high risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. CONCLUSION: Our analysis showed there was no statistically significant difference in mortality among septic shock patients treated with PLR-guided resuscitation vs. those with standard care.

Comprehensive meta-analysis reveals association between multiple imprinting disorders and conception by assisted reproductive technology.

PURPOSE: To determine whether a history of conception by assisted reproductive technology (ART) is associated with occurrence of one or more imprinting disorders of either maternal or paternal origin. METHODS: We implemented a systematic review of scholarly literature followed by comprehensive meta-analysis to quantitatively synthesize data from reports relating to use of ART to occurrence of any imprinting disorder of humans, including Beckwith-Wiedemann (BWS), Angelman (AS), Prader-Willi (PWS), and Silver-Russell (SRS) syndromes, as well as transient neonatal diabetes mellitus (TNDB) and sporadic retinoblasoma (RB). RESULTS: The systematic review identified 13 reports presenting unique data from 23 studies that related conception following ART to occurrence of imprinting disorders. Multiple studies of four disorder were identified, for which meta-analysis yielded the following summary estimates of associations with a history of ART: AS, summary odds ratio (sOR) = 4.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.6-8.5, 4 studies); BWS, sOR = 5.8 (95% CI 3.1-11.1, 8 studies); PWS, sOR = 2.2 (95% CI 1.6-3.0, 6 studies); SRS, sOR = 11.3 (95% CI 4.5-28.5, 3 studies). Only one study reported on each of TNDB and RB. CONCLUSION: Published data reveal positive associations between history of ART conception and each of four imprinting disorders. Reasons for these associations warrant further investigation.