Uveitis Patterns and Severity: An Epidemiologic Study from a Tertiary Care Private Referral Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

PURPOSE: To report uveitis' spectrum in a private practice cohort in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. METHODS: Retrospective review at Instituto de la Visión (November 2011-October 2015). Standard demographics, ethnicity and Native American aboriginal ancestry were recorded. RESULTS: Among 212 patients, median age 45 (6-97), 10% pediatric, 35% bilateral, 72% non-idiopathic, 36% infectious. Anterior uveitis presented in 50%, followed by posterior (32%), intermediate (9%) and panuveitis (8%). Frequent visits (≥ 6 per year) needed by 29%: posterior, non-idiopathic disease with 79% systemic immunosuppression requirement was their main presentation. Native American aboriginal ancestry was reported by 22.64% of the whole cohort and 37% of frequent visits' subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral, non-idiopathic, non-infectious anterior uveitis was the most frequent presentation, in agreement with reports coming from western developed cities. The multi-racial Argentinian population with specific Native American aboriginal ancestry might contribute to certain forms of posterior uveitis and their response to treatment.

Group B streptococcal disease in infants: a case control study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe and quantify the maternal and neonatal factors associated with Group B streptococcus (GBS) disease in infants <90 days of age. SETTING: Neonatal Units in London, Oxford, Portsmouth and Bristol. PATIENTS: Cases were infants <90 days of age with invasive GBS disease diagnosed between 2000 and 2003, and controls were healthy infants born in the same hospital and in the same birth weight category. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic and clinical data on the mother, baby, birth and neonatal stay. RESULTS: 138 cases and 305 controls were recruited. The majority of cases (74%) presented in the first week of life (early onset, EO); most on day 1 (89%). 65% of EO cases had one or more clinical risk factors (prematurity, prolonged rupture of membranes (PROM), known maternal GBS carriage, fever during labour). A multivariable logistic regression analysis found that the strongest independent associations with GBS disease were known maternal carriage of GBS (odds ratio (OR) 6.9), maternal infection in the peripartum period (OR 4.2) and maximum temperature in labour (OR 2.2 per degrees C). GBS disease was associated with twice the likelihood of PROM and fetal tachycardia (p = 0.05 and 0.07 respectively). EO cases had lower Apgar scores and were more likely to have respiratory distress and convulsions, and to require tube feeding than controls. They spent longer in hospital than controls, requiring longer stays at all levels of care. CONCLUSIONS: Independent of birth weight, a number of maternal, birth and neonatal factors are significantly associated with GBS disease. The management of babies with GBS disease results in an appreciable use of hospital resources.

Quantifying and minimizing radiation exposure during pediatric cardiac catheterization.

This study reports findings from evaluations of new technologies to measure radiation exposure during pediatric cardiac catheterization procedures. A strategy of pulsed fluoroscopy and low power settings resulted in significantly lower patient radiation exposure compared to conventional 60 frames/sec, high-power settings during fluoroscopy. During radiofrequency ablation procedures, thyroid and thoracic skin sites outside the direct fluoroscopic field received minimal radiation exposure. Intrathoracic radiation exposure was measured with the use of an esophageal dosimeter. In conclusion, strategies to reduce total radiation exposure should be employed, radiation dose should be measured, and assessment of radiation skin injury should be included in post-catheterization assessment.

Fracture brace for the treatment of humerus shaft fractures caused by gunshot wounds.

Humeral shaft fractures are amenable to conservative treatment. In this article, the authors define their indications and methods of treatment of gunshot-caused fractures of the humerus. They emphasize use of a humeral fracture brace. Successful fracture brace treatment requires attention to and comprehension of proper technique. When used appropriately, fracture bracing is safer, less expensive, and more effective than surgical alternatives.

Accessory peroneus brevis muscle.

The authors report an anomalous tendon during routine cadaver dissection. This accessory peroneus brevis tendon arose with the peroneus brevis muscle. The tendon passed through a channel in the peroneus tertius and inserted into the extensor hood apparatus of the fifth digit.

Osteomyelitis and sepsis: severe complications of fetal monitoring.

Sophisticated modern methods of fetal monitoring during labor have improved the prognosis for high-risk infants, but the possible adverse side effects have not yet been fully documented. One infant with osteomyelitis and one with streptococcal sepsis are reported. In the future, greater attention should be paid to such potential complications and new noninvasive techniques of fetal monitoring should be developed.