An analysis of cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging findings after normal computed tomographic imaging findings in pediatric trauma patients: ten-year experience of a level I pediatric trauma center.

BACKGROUND: A variety of radiologic screening protocols exist for evaluation of pediatric trauma patients with potential cervical spine (c-spine) injuries. The purpose of this study was to describe findings on c-spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after previously normal c-spine computed tomographic (CT) scan findings at a Level 1 trauma center. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of trauma patients evaluated at Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, between January 2000 and February 2010 was conducted. Trauma patients who were younger than 18 years, placed in c-spine precautions, had a normal c-spine CT scan, who subsequently had a c-spine MRI were included. The sample was subdivided into patients who underwent CT scans between January 1, 2000 to July 31, 2005 (early group), and August 1, 2005 to February 28, 2010 (late group), to compare results between different CT scan resolutions. RESULTS: A total of 173 patients met inclusion criteria. With 100% of patients demonstrating normal c-spine CT scan findings, 83% of c-spine MRI findings were also negative (p < 0.001). Thirty patients (17%) demonstrated significant abnormalities on MRI. Of the 30, 5 (2.9%) required operative c-spine stabilization. Eighty-five patients underwent CT scan in the early group, and 88 in the late group. All 5 patients with unstable injuries not discovered on CT scan were from the early group, compared with none in the late group (p = 0.027). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that high-resolution CT scan with sagittal and coronal reconstructions may be comparable with MRI for the detection of unstable c-spine injuries in pediatric trauma patients. Although minimizing CT scan radiation exposure remains essential, high-resolution c-spine CT scan may allow for earlier c-spine clearance with reduction of associated hard collar comorbidities in centers where MRI is not available or in situations where the patient's clinical stability precludes obtaining MRI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic study, level III.

Exchange blood transfusion in the management of severe pertussis in young infants.

We analyzed data from 10 young infants who received exchange blood transfusions for management of severe pertussis. Our data are insufficient to address efficacy of the procedure, but our data, as well as previous reports in the literature, indicate that if the procedure is to be successful, it should be done before organ failure has occurred and immediately if shock/hypotension occur.

Characteristics of Severe Bordetella pertussis Infection Among Infants ≤90 Days of Age Admitted to Pediatric Intensive Care Units - Southern California, September 2009-June 2011.

BACKGROUND: Bordetella pertussis infection can cause severe illness and death among young infants. METHODS: We collected demographic and clinical information from the medical records of infants who were ≤90 days of age and hospitalized for pertussis in 5 Southern California pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) from September 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011. Infants who died or were diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension were considered to have more severe pertussis. RESULTS: Thirty-one infants were admitted to a participating PICU. Eight infants had more severe infections, 6 infants had pulmonary hypertension, and 4 infants died. The 8 infants with more severe infections had white blood cell counts that exceeded 30 000, heart rates that exceeded 170, and respiratory rates that exceeded 70 more rapidly after cough onset than the 23 infants with less severe illness. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying higher-risk infants earlier might allow for more rapid implementation of interventions.