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INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence of balance disorders in children after mild head trauma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety patients after mild head trauma, aged 7-18 years, were examined on a stabilometric platform 48 h and 12 weeks after injury. The results were compared with 50 healthy children. Seven selected parameters of the stabilogram were measured and analyzed. RESULTS: Children hospitalized after head trauma represented 3.78% of all surgical admissions and 6.6% of all patients after head trauma reporting to the emergency department. The values of all parameters in the entire study group 48 h after injury were significantly higher than 12 weeks later (p < 0.03), when they decreased to the level of the values in the controls. An inverse relationship between the value of each parameter and the child's age, both in the study group 48 h after injury (p < 0.014) and in the controls (p < 0.008), was found. The values of all parameters in children of the study group aged 11-15 years 48 h after the injury were significantly higher than 12 weeks later (p < 0.05), and significantly higher than in the controls (p < 0.05). The best indicators describing disorders and normalization of body balance control processes were the total path length of center of pressure (SP-EO), the average center of pressure deflection (MA-EO) and the average center of pressure sagittal deflection (MAAP-EO). CONCLUSIONS: Minor head trauma clearly, though temporarily, disturbed body postural control, especially affecting children aged 11-15. However, all examined patients 3 months after injury controlled the body balance, like their healthy peers.
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The best mode of undescended testis (UDT) treatment remains controversial. However, knowledge gained from randomized controlled studies and meta-analyses allowed different groups of researchers to set out guidelines on management of patients with UDT. The authors reviewed recent literature and came to the following conclusions: (1) Hormonal treatment is not recommended, considering both the immediate results (only 15-20% of retained testes descend) and the possible long-term adverse effects on spermatogenesis. (2) Surgery is the treatment of choice; orchiopexy is successful in about 95% of UDT, with a low rate of complications (about 1%). (3) Orchiopexy should be performed between 12 and 18 months of age, or at first contact if diagnosed later.
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INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in expression of soluble biomarkers tumor factor growth-ß1 (TGF-ß1), CCL5/RANTES, and sFas/Apo-1 in the urine of patients undergoing ureteropyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. These factors are connected with different processes ongoing in the obstructive uropathy. If their urine concentrations correlate with AP diameter of the renal pelvis and differential function of the affected kidney, they can be helpful in making a decision on corrective surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Creatinine, TGF-ß1, CCL5/RANTES, and sFas/Apo-1 levels were measured in the urine from the bladder and renal pelvis of 45 patients undergoing ureteropyeloplasty and from bladders of 25 patients undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy. RESULTS: LEVELS OF EXAMINED BIOMARKERS WERE HIGHER IN THE RENAL PELVIS AND BLADDER OF CHILDREN WITH UPJ OBSTRUCTION AS COMPARED TO CONTROLS: TGF-ß1 in older children and adolescents (p < 0.05), CCL5/RANTES in the youngest and older children (p < 0.05), and sFas/Apo-1 in all patients (p < 0.05). Twelve months after surgery their levels in the bladder decreased: TGF-ß1 in younger and older children (p < 0.05), CCL5/RANTES in the youngest patients and adolescents (p < 0.05), and sFas/Apo-1 in the youngest and older children (p < 0.05). A significant decrease in the AP diameter of the renal pelvis post-operatively (32.09 mm vs. 18.72 mm) (p < 0.01) and significant improvement in renal function (36.94% vs. 42.76%) (p < 0.05) were observed in the examined group. CONCLUSIONS: Mean TGF-ß1, CCL5/RANTES, and sFas/Apo-1 urine levels are significantly increased in patients with UPJ and decreased 1 year after ureteropyeloplasty. Bladder concentrations of examined factors may be clinically useful markers of obstruction.
