[Gastroesophageal reflux in children. A combined radiologic and scintigraphic study]. / Il reflusso gastroesofageo nel bambino. Studio combinato radiologico e scintigrafico.

Thirty-one children examined for gastroesophageal (GE) reflux were studied with both barium meal X-ray and gastroesophageal scintigraphy. The study was performed with a double-blind method. The children with negative findings at both tests were submitted to intraluminal esophageal pH probe test. Barium X-ray detected GE reflux in 17/27 patients, whereas radionuclide scintigraphy was positive in 24/27 (positivity: 63% versus 89%; p less than 0.05). Their combined use provided positive findings in 26/27 cases. Scintigraphy appeared to be a safe and reliable screening test to detect GE reflux. Moreover, scintigraphy was superior to barium X-ray study for it had higher diagnostic accuracy, it could be easily performed on young patients, and delivered smaller radiation doses.

[Hypochromic hyposideremic anemia as the first symptom of gastroesophageal reflux]. / Anemia ipocromica iposideremica come primo sintomo di reflusso gastroesofageo.

In a five months infant is described by authors iron deficiency anaemia as early symptom of gastroesophageal reflux undiagnosed previously. Laboratory evaluation excluded any haematological pathology; thereafter clinical suspicion was confirmed by radiological exams and oesophageal PH-monitoring.

[Agenesis of the gallbladder. Description of 2 cases in 2 siblings]. / L'agenesia della colecisti. Descrizione di due casi in due fratelli.

Gallbladder and cystic duct agenesis is a rare malformation with frequent familial occurrence. We report a case in a girl, diagnosed by nonoperative means, and a second case in her brother, discovered with a screening in the same family, operated with ultrasonography.