Correlation between esophageal pH-metry and esophagitis in gastroesophageal reflux disease in children.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is the intermittent or permanent passage of stomach content into the esophagus and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the reflux which triggers a whole set of symptoms or complications. The study compares the 24-hours esophageal pH-metry, used for diagnosis of the GERD, with the esophagitis degree observed at the upper digestive endoscopy.72 children were included, aged over 4 years old, admitted in a pediatric gastroenterology regional center in Northeast Romania, diagnosed with GERD by 24 hours pH-metry (with a positive Boix-Ochoa score), which also underwent the upper digestive endoscopy.Out of the 72 children diagnosed with GERD, 47 (65.28%) had grade A esophagitis and 25 (34.72%) grade B esophagitis. In GERD associated with grade B esophagitis the Boix-Ochoa score is statistically significant higher, compared with the GERD associated with grade A esophagitis (F = 9.76, P = .0036, 95% CI).Upper digestive endoscopy performed in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease shows the constant presence of esophagitis at all patients. There were only grade A and B esophagitis due to the fact that they are young patients with a relative short history of the disease. The correlation tests show a perfect parallel between the pH-metry scores and the endoscopic lesion. The correlation is so accurate that the pH-metry scores can be sufficient to prove GERD and the grade of esophagitis, the upper digestive endoscopy being reserved only for the cases that does not respond to the medical treatment or have other complications.

Different evolution in the treatment of a severe persistent asthma in 2 twins: Case report and review of the literature.

RATIONALE: Asthma is a multifactorial disease with complex genetic inheritance. In children under the age of 5 years, the diagnosis of asthma is a challenge. PATIENT CONCERN: We present the case of twin sisters under the same treatment for persistent asthma, but with different evolution over the time. DIAGNOSES: One of the sister is diagnosed with severe persistent bronchial asthma associated with bronchiectasis and dyslipidemia and the other one only with mild persistent asthma. INTERVENTIONS: At each admission the treatment for the exacerbations and the underlying respiratory infections was represented by antibiotics, short-acting ß2 agonists, and, sometimes, oxygen and systemic corticosteroids. As chronic treatment, they received in the last period inhaled corticosteroids associated with long-acting ß2 agonist. OUTCOMES: Until the age of 6.5 years, they had similar diagnoses and treatment; from this point one was asymptomatic, with normal pulmonary function tests. The other one had a more complicated evolution which led to a severe crisis by the age of 10 years old. LESSONS: Although asthma is a multifactorial disease with complex genetic inheritance, the genetics has its limits. Our twins had a similar onset with the same genetic inheritance, with the same risk factors, with the same comorbidities and with the same treatment. In this context, different evolutions of severe persistent asthma require more extensive genetic investigations. PATIENT CONCERN: We present the case of twin sisters under the same treatment for persistent asthma, but with different evolution over the time.

"Message from a turtle": otitis with Salmonella arizonae in children: Case report.

RATIONALE: Salmonella enterica subsp arizonae is a common gut inhabitant of reptiles (snakes are the most common reservoir, but it also occurs in turtles). Alhough human cases owing to this organism are exceedingly rare, it may occasionally infect young infants and immunocompromised individuals with a history of intimate associations with reptiles. Our case is the 20th one among the infections with S arizonae in children, but the 2nd one of otitis and the first of mastoiditis. The other cases had different anatomical locations, such as gastroenteritis, osteomyelitis, meningitis, ankle infection, wound infection, and sinusitis. PATIENT CONCERNS AND DIAGNOSIS: We report a rare case of otitis with Salmonella in a previously healthy adolescent, which was most likely acquired after bathing in a lake. The ear infection was complicated with mastoiditis. Audiometric testing showed a moderately conductive hearing loss (60 dB on pure-tone average). INTERVENTION: Standard therapy for S arizonae was initiated. The surgery revealed a "hidden" cholesteatoma. Surgical management comprised of canal wall up mastoidectomy with attico-antrotomy and posterior tympanotomy followed by tympanoplasty. OUTCOMES: Daily postoperative dressing care of the incision, along with antibiotic lavage of the external auditory canal packing, ensured a favorable evolution. The functional gain was important; the 1-month postsurgical pure tone audiogram indicated nearly normal hearing (a mean of 25 dB for air conduction thresholds). LESSON: Salmonella enterica serotype arizonae is a rare cause of human infection, being a common organism in reptiles, like snakes and turtles. Young children are at a particular risk for acquiring such infections. Our study might encourage further epidemiologic investigations into these infections to generate a more effective strategy among public health agencies.

Silent presentation of multiple metastasis Burkitt lymphoma in a child: A case report and review of the literature.

RATIONALE: The Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is a very aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It accounts for 34% of lymphoma cases in children. PATIENT CONCERNS: We present the case of a 6-year-old boy diagnosed with BL, who presented multiple contrasting elements of the disease: silent symptomatology, without involvement of the bone marrow at first, but with multiorgan infiltration and a fast evolution, despite starting the treatment shortly after the symptoms appeared. DIAGNOSES: He was diagnosed with BL after immunophenotyping from the pleural fluid. INTERVENTIONS: After a week from admission, chemotherapy was initiated according to protocol NH-BFM therapeutic group III-cytoreductive phase in the acute care ward and subsequently the AA 24 treatment. OUTCOMES: Following the treatment, the patient developed medullary aplasia and cutaneous toxicity. The patient's general state remained severe during the hospitalization. LESSONS: Even though the prognosis of BL has improved over time (up to 90% survival rate), in this case the evolution was unfavorable. In our patient, the symptoms appeared abruptly. They appeared late in the phase of multiple-organ dissemination, which generated the pessimistic prognosis.

Correlation between the different pH-metry scores in gastroesophageal reflux disease in children.

The 24-hour esophageal pH-metry is the most widely used method to diagnose the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The study compares the different scores obtained during the 24-hour esophageal pH-metry. A retrospective study over 5 years including 234 children (1 month and 18 years old) admitted in a pediatric gastroenterology regional center in Northeast Romania, with suspicion of GERD. They underwent 24- hour esophageal pH-metry, and the scores obtained (Boix-Ochoa, DeMeester, Johnson-DeMeester) were compared. Out of the 234 children, 172 (73.50%) had positive Boix-Ochoa score and 62 (26.50%) had normal Boix-Ochoa score (<11.99). Based on the DeMeester score, 149 children (63.68%) were positive and 85 (36.32%) were negative. The correlation of the Demeester score with the Boix-Ochoa score was very high (r = 0.978, P <  < 0.01, 95% confidence interval). Considering the Johnson-DeMeester score, 120 cases (51.28%) had GERD and 114 (48.72%) did not. The correlation of the Johnson-DeMeester score with the Boix-Ochoa score was still high (r = 0.94, P <  < 0.01, 95% 95% confidence interval). As considered until now, the Boix-Ochoa score is the most accurate score to be used in pediatrics for the diagnosis of GERD. The use of the different scores-Boix-Ochoa, DeMeester, Johnson-DeMeester-showed a high sensitivity and specificity of the pH-metry measurements applied to the study lot, but the last score has a higher risk of false-negative results.

Acrodermatitis Enteropathica: A Case Report.

Acrodermatitis enteropathica is a rare genetic autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by periorificial dermatitis, alopecia, and diarrhea. It is caused by mutations in the gene that encodes a membrane protein that binds zinc. We report a 14-month-old boy, admitted for erythematous, scaly and pustular lesions, initially located in the inguinal and perianal regions and on thighs, and very few erythematous lesions on the face. Due to the numerous bacterial skin superinfections with Staphylococcus aureus, including abscesses that required surgical incision, the clinical picture was modified, leading to a delayed establishment of the diagnosis. Later, the symptoms became suggestive for this disease, the diagnostic having been confirmed by low plasma zinc values. Under zinc therapy, skin lesions improved significantly in a few days, with favorable outcome. Two months later, the skin lesions almost disappeared.Abscesses due to bacterial skin superinfections may lead to initially misdiagnosed acrodermatitis enteropathica.

Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup C Causing Primary Arthritis in a Child: Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) is associated with severe invasive infections such as meningitis and fulminant septicemia. Septic arthritis due to N. meningitidis is rare and bone infections have been reported exceptionally. We report the case of a 1-year old girl who presented with a painful, swollen right knee, accompanied by fever and agitation. Arthrocentesis of the right knee, while patient was under anesthesia, yielded grossly purulent fluid, so we made arthrotomy and drainage. The culture from synovial fluid revealed N. meningitidis, sensitive to Ceftriaxone. The patient received intravenous antibiotherapy with Ceftriaxone. The status of the patient improved after surgical drainage and intravenous antibiotic therapy. She recovered completely after 1 month. CONCLUSION: This observation illustrates an unusual presentation of invasive meningococcal infection and the early identification of the bacteria, combined with the correct treatment, prevent the complications and even death.

Heterotopic Gastric Mucosa in the Distal Part of Esophagus in a Teenager: Case Report.

Heterotopic gastric mucosa (HGM) of the esophagus is a congenital anomaly consisting of ectopic gastric mucosa. It may be connected with disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract, exacerbated by Helicobacter pylori. The diagnosis of HGM is confirmed via endoscopy with biopsy. Histopathology provides the definitive diagnosis by demonstrating gastric mucosa adjacent to normal esophageal mucosa. HGM located in the distal esophagus needs differentiation from Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's esophagus is a well-known premalignant injury for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Malignant progression of HGM occurs in a stepwise pattern, following the metaplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence.We present a rare case of a teenage girl with HGM located in the distal esophagus, associated with chronic gastritis and biliary duodenogastric reflux. Endoscopy combined with biopsies is a mandatory method in clinical evaluation of metaplastic and nonmetaplastic changes within HGM of the esophagus.