Concurrent agreement between ActiGraphⓇ and activPALⓇ in measuring moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity for adults.

This study aimed to assess the ability of the activPALⓇ monitor (commonly used for measuring Sedentary Behaviour (SB), sitting or reclining with low energy expenditure while awake) to measure moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), by assessing its agreement with the concurrent measurement by ActiGraphⓇ monitor (commonly used for measuring MVPA) to identify if a single monitor could be used to measure both MVPA and SB. A convenience sample of 24 adults (79% female; aged 23-60) wore an ActiGraphⓇ GT3X+ and an activPAL3Ⓡ concurrently for one day during free-living activities. Time spent in MVPA was calculated as an outcome measure using published methods (ActiGraphⓇ, n = 6; activPALⓇn = 4). Agreement was assessed between pairs of outcomes using the Bland & Altman method. Participants engaged in between 60 and 145 min of MVPA. The activPALⓇ method summing time walking with a cadence ≥100 steps/min underestimated MVPA compared with the ActiGraphⓇ but had the lowest aggregate bias (-16 min). Other activPALⓇ methods, based on acceleration counts and the embedded MET algorithm, overestimated MVPA compared to the ActiGraphⓇ. The study was limited by the lack of activPALⓇ acceleration count methods developed for adults. With the recommended methods, the activPALⓇ could be suitable for use as a single monitor to measure both SB and MVPA.

Ivacaftor improves appearance of sinus disease on computerised tomography in cystic fibrosis patients with G551D mutation.

BACKGROUND: Most patients with Cystic fibrosis (CF) have chronic sinus disease which may require multiple sinus surgeries and antibiotic courses. Ivacaftor can improve lung function, lower sweat chloride levels and improve weight by targeting the primary defect, a faulty gene and its protein product, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in patients with the G551D mutation. Its role in improving sinus disease has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate efficacy of ivacaftor in improving CF related sinus disease. DESIGN: Observational study. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve patients with cystic fibrosis and a G551D-CFTR mutation. METHODS: Twelve patients with a G551D-CFTR mutation were monitored for at least one year before and after starting ivacaftor. OUTCOME MEASURES: Sinus disease progression was monitored by comparing computed tomography (CT) of sinuses before and at one year on therapy. Hospital admissions, pulmonary exacerbations, weight, BMI and lung function were also compared. RESULTS: Median age was 17 years (range 10-44). Weight, BMI, FEV1 significantly increased and sweat chloride significantly decreased by six months on ivacaftor therapy. CT of the sinuses in all patients improved. Seven patients had severe sinus disease, improved to moderate in three and mild in remaining four. Four patients had moderate disease which improved to mild in all. One patient had normal sinus CT before and after the therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CF and G551D mutation, within 6 months of starting ivacaftor had significant improvements in weight, BMI and mean % FEV1. Significant lessening of underlying sinus disease measured by CT scan was noted, suggesting a disease modifying effect.

Computed tomographic estimation of lung dimensions throughout the growth period.

The aim of the current study was to use computed tomography (CT) to estimate airway wall and lumen, and arterial and parenchyma dimensions in children throughout the growth period, and to provide normative data to study alterations caused by pulmonary disease. Clinical CT scans reported as normal that were performed in children for nonpulmonary and noncardiac reasons were analysed for lung weight, gas volume, lung expansion, lung surface/volume ratio, airway wall area, airway lumen area, airway lumen perimeter, arterial area and airway surface length/area ratio. The age range of the 50 subjects was 0-17.2 yrs. The data showed only little increase in lung expansion throughout childhood (n = 32). There was substantial variability in lung expansion between subjects. Airway wall and lumen and arterial area were exponentially associated with subjects' height (n = 50). Airway surface length/area ratio was linearly associated to alveolar surface/volume ratio. The data from the current study provide normative computed tomography estimates of airway wall and lumen, and arterial and parenchyma dimensions throughout the growth period that may be useful for the study of alterations in disease.

High-resolution CT of the lungs in infants and young children.

The effects of respiratory motion and imaging at low tidal volumes can easily obscure normal anatomy as well as pathology on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images of the lungs in infants and young children. The benefits of motion-free HRCT in children at full inflation and end exhalation compared with HRCT during quiet breathing has remained largely unexplored. The authors describe the application and benefits of a physiologic, noninvasive technique called controlled-ventilation to obtain high-quality HRCT images of the lungs, similar to those obtained in adults, in uncooperative young children. The availability of this method should result in greater application of HRCT as a clinical and research tool in the evaluation of childhood respiratory disease.

Technique and clinical applications of full-inflation and end-exhalation controlled-ventilation chest CT in infants and young children.

BACKGROUND: The inability of young children to cooperate with breath holding limits the usefulness of chest CT. OBJECTIVE: To describe the technique and utility of a non-invasive method called controlled-ventilation CT (CVCT) for obtaining motion-free full-inflation and end-exhalation images of the lung in infants and young children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-seven children (ages 1 week to 5 years, mean 2 years) underwent CVCT of the chest during suspended respiration at full-lung inflation and end-exhalation for a variety of clinical indications. Respiratory pauses were produced using conscious sedation and positive-pressure face-mask ventilation. Forty-one of 87 children had recordings of respiratory motion during CVCT. RESULTS: Respiratory pause lengths increased with age (P < 0.003), were highly reproducible (r = 0.85), and lasted sufficiently long to be practical for full-inflation (24 +/- 9 s) and end-exhalation (12 +/- 5 s) CT scanning. Full-inflation CVCT was useful in evaluating tracheal and bronchial stenosis, bronchial wall thickening, early bronchiectasis, bronchial fistula, extent of interstitial fibrosis, and lung nodules. End-exhalation CVCT was useful in evaluating tracheomalacia and air trapping. CONCLUSION: Controlled-ventilation chest CT is a practical and reliable technique that promises to be clinically useful for a number of clinical indications in infants and young children.

Advances in pediatric airway radiology.

Radiologic evaluation of the airway has been used as a screening tool and an adjunct to endoscopy for many years. It provides noninvasive data on the structure of the airway while avoiding the risk of general anesthesia. In the past, standard radiographs provided only a shadow of the intricate anatomy of the pediatric airway. Not only have there been advances in static imaging but there now exists technology that enable noninvasive dynamic imaging and new techniques for image-guided intervention within the airway. This article focuses on four specific areas: airway fluoroscopy, functional swallow studies, controlled ventilation computed tomography, and interventional airway techniques.

Lungs in infants and young children: improved thin-section CT with a noninvasive controlled-ventilation technique--initial experience.

Three sedated young children underwent thin-section computed tomography (CT) of the chest while breathing and during controlled respiratory pauses induced by means of a step increase in positive-pressure ventilation applied via a face mask. Motion-free inspiratory and expiratory thin-section CT images were successfully acquired during 8-12-second respiratory pauses. This simple, reproducible technique produced thin-section CT images that were clearer and more clinically useful than those obtained during quiet tidal breathing.

Duodenum inversum mimicking mesenteric artery syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Duodenum inversum is an often unrecognized anomaly of duodenal rotation/fixation at upper gastrointestinal (UGI) contrast study because the duodenojejunal junction appears normally located. OBJECTIVE: This anomaly is important to diagnose because it may result in obstructive gastrointestinal symptoms. CONCLUSION: We describe a case of duodenum inversum mimicking superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome that improved after surgical therapy.

Primary intrathoracic gastric volvulus in a newborn.

Primary gastric volvulus in the neonatal period is extremely rare, with only 18 cases reported in the literature. The authors describe the case of a newborn with intrathoracic gastric volvulus and discuss its management.

Preamputation MR imaging in meningococcemia and comparison to conventional arteriography.

Meningococcemia is a life-threatening infection which produces purpura fulminans and extremity gangrene in its most severe form. In patients with gangrene, amputation is usually necessary. The amputations frequently need revision as ischemic changes in the underlying soft tissues and bone are difficult to evaluate at the time of surgery. These ischemic changes often have non-vascular distributions and progress over time. We present two patients in whom MR imaging and MR angiography were performed prior to planned amputation. These cases demonstrate the potential utility of MR imaging in this setting, and compare the MR angiographic results to conventional arteriography in one of these patients.

Duodenitis in children: correlation of radiologic findings with endoscopic and pathologic findings.

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of barium studies in the diagnosis of duodenitis in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-five children (45 boys and 30 girls; mean age, 9 years) underwent upper gastrointestinal (GI) examinations. Twenty-four of the children had biopsy-proved duodenitis, and 51 were healthy control subjects. Radiologic findings were reviewed by two experienced, blinded observers and correlated with endoscopic and histologic results. Duodenal mucosal-fold thickness was measured on spot radiographs (20% magnification), and the extent of disease was evaluated. RESULTS: Of 15 children with mild duodenitis, 13 had normal radiologic findings and 11 had normal findings at esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Of nine children with severe duodenitis, all had friability or ulceration at endoscopy and mucosal-fold thickening of greater than or equal to 4 mm (> or = 3 mm in one infant aged less than 1 year) at upper GI examination. Mucosal-fold thickening was diffuse in patients with celiac, autoimmune, and adenovirus disease and was proximal in patients with peptic ulcer and Crohn disease. Of 51 control subjects, 50 had normal radiologic results, while 47 had normal endoscopic results. The sensitivity of upper GI examination for mild and severe duodenitis combined was 46% with a specificity of 98%, whereas endoscopy had a sensitivity of 54% and specificity of 92%. CONCLUSION: Mucosal-fold thickening was a specific sign of duodenitis in children and should be investigated. Upper GI examination yielded results similar to those at endoscopy.

Tethered cord and associated vertebral anomalies in children and infants with imperforate anus: evaluation with MR imaging and plain radiography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate in children and infants with imperforate anus the prevalence and types of occult myelodysplasia that may result in tethered cord and the association of these lesions with vertebral anomalies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records and images were retrospectively reviewed in 86 patients who underwent spine magnetic resonance imaging and had either low-level imperforate anus (n = 30), intermediate-level imperforate anus (n = 15), or high-level imperforate anus (n = 41). RESULTS: Thirty-one of 86 patients (36%) had occult myelodysplasia suggestive of tethered cord (27% of all patients with low-, 33% of all patients with intermediate-, and 44% of all patients with high-level lesions). Of these 31 patients, 16(52%) were asymptomatic, 24, (77%) had a thickened fatty filum, 13 (42%) had normal conus position, and 23 (74%) had vertebral anomalies. Twenty-four of the 31 patients (77%) underwent surgical untethering. CONCLUSION: A substantial number of patients with all types of imperforate anus have occult myelodysplasia that may necessitate surgical intervention, including those patients with normal spine radiographs.

Radiographic patterns of intestinal malrotation in children.

Intestinal malrotation is a major diagnostic challenge in children. Sometimes the prognostic significance of the findings from upper gastrointestinal tract examinations is unclear. In a series of 69 surgically proved cases, the authors studied the prevalence and clinical consequences of various radiographic patterns of malrotation and correlated surgical findings with the radiographic location of the duodenum and cecum. Seven patterns of duodenal malrotation were observed. Almost all children in the series had abnormalities of rotation or fixation of both the duodenum and colon, resulting in narrowing of the mesenteric base with potential for midgut volvulus. Of 69 patients, only one (1.4%) had an anatomically normal duodenum, and four (5.8%) had a surgically confirmed normal cecum fixed in the right lower quadrant. In the absence of a corkscrew or Z-shaped duodenum, patterns that usually indicate volvulus or obstructing Ladd bands, colon position had greater prognostic implication, especially when the cecum was situated in the right upper quadrant or left upper quadrant. These latter patterns were associated with the highest prevalence of volvulus.

Intestinal malrotation in children: tutorial on radiographic diagnosis in difficult cases.

PURPOSE: To analyze difficult diagnostic cases of malrotation to identify features crucial to accurate diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors reviewed the radiographs and records of 81 symptomatic children who underwent surgery with a preoperative diagnosis of malrotation. Eleven had subtle rotational abnormalities (potential false-negative examinations), and 12 had false-positive upper gastrointestinal examinations. RESULTS: Subtle signs of malrotation included unusual redundancy of the duodenum to the right of the spine and location of the duodenojejunal junction (DJJ) medial to the left pedicle. Nevertheless, two children with variations of malrotation had normal upper gastrointestinal examinations. False-positive diagnoses resulted from failure to recognize normal variants: jejunum in the right upper quadrant as the sole finding, DJJ over the left pedicle on the anteroposterior view, "duodenum inversum," and "duodenum mobile." Three children had bowel distention that displaced the DJJ. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of difficult cases of malrotation may depend on recognition of anatomic subtleties. False-positive diagnoses may be avoided by appreciation of normal duodenal variants.

Ureterocele eversion with vesicoureteral reflux in duplex kidneys: findings at voiding cystourethrography.

OBJECTIVE: Ureterocele eversion refers to the sudden appearance of a bladder diverticulum at the site of ureterocele compression during voiding cystourethrography (VCUG). The radiologic appearance closely resembles a congenital bladder (paraureteral) diverticulum. Distinguishing ureterocele eversion with vesicoureteral reflux in duplex kidneys from congenital bladder diverticula with reflux is important for preoperative planning. This study describes the findings of ureterocele eversion and lower pole vesicoureteral reflux in duplex kidneys on VCUG and demonstrates how its appearance can be misleading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records, sonograms, and cystograms were reviewed retrospectively for 12 children who had VCUGs demonstrating bladder diverticula with vesicoureteral reflux and who, at surgery, had ureteroceles associated with duplex systems. Each case was assessed as to whether the finding of a diverticulum with reflux on VCUG had been correctly interpreted as ureterocele eversion with lower pole vesicoureteral reflux. RESULTS: Diagnosis of ureterocele eversion with lower pole reflux was uncertain or misinterpreted as congenital bladder diverticula with reflux in five patients in whom ureteroceles were not identifiable or in whom reflux occurred into what resembled single systems rather than lower poles of duplex systems. In two patients in whom ureteroceles were not initially identified, fluoroscopy recognized ureterocele eversion with lower pole reflux. Sonography confirmed ureterocele in one of these patients, and cystoscopy in the other. CONCLUSION: Ureterocele eversion with lower pole vesicoureteral reflux is readily diagnosed by VCUG when a ureterocele is initially identified or if the fluoroscopic appearance is typical. Ureterocele eversion with lower pole reflux can be mistaken for a congenital paraureteral diverticulum with reflux into a single collecting system if the ureterocele is small or not initially detected or if the refluxed system is not recognized as a lower pole moiety.