Diagnostic Value of (99m)Tc-DMSA Pinhole Imaging in Childhood Urinary Tract Infection with Renal Cortical Defect

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of the (99m)Tc-DMSA pinhole imaging by comparing the detection rate of cortical defects identified from planar and pinhole imaging. METHODS: (99m)Tc-DMSA planar and pinhole imaging, voiding cystoureth-rogram(VCUG), renal ultrasonography were performed in 67 patients diagnosed with urinary tract infection at the Department of Pediatrics, Sung-Ae General Hospital, from September, 1999 to Feburary, 2001. The follow-up of (99m)Tc-DMSA pinhole imaging was performed on 25 patients. RESULTS: Overall detection rate of (99m)Tc-DMSA planar imaging was 41.8%(28 patients/67 patients), but (99m)Tc-DMSA pinhole imaging showed cortical defects in 62.7%(42 patients/67 patients) and the patients with renal cortical defects in planar imaging showed all definite or more additional cortical defects in pinhole imaging. The detection rate of cortical defect by (99m)Tc- DMSA pinhole imaging in patients with vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) was 80%(24 kidneys/30 kidneys). Those without VUR, however, also presented high detection rate as 25.9%(27 kidneys/ 104 kidneys). Out of 25 patients, improvement of cortical defect was presented in 19, no change in 4, and aggravation in 2 from the follow-up studies by (99m)Tc-DMSA pinhole imaging. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that (99m)Tc-DMSA pinhole imaging is superior to planar imaging and, hence, that pinhole imaging is a useful initial diagnostic tool for children suspected of urinary tract infection, irrespective of VUR, and to identify patients who need more extensive radiological studies and early treatment.

A Congenital Cutis Laxa Fatality Caused by Early Onset Pulmonary Emphysema

Cutis laxa is a rare disorder of the elastic tissue characterized by loosely hanging and folded skin giving a premature senile appearance, often with internal organ involvement. Recently, we experienced a case of cutis laxa in a neonate. The patient who presented with dyspnea and loose skin at birth was delivered by Cesarean section in our hospital. He was the third baby of his mother and his siblings had no problem including skin. Physical examination on admission revealed a dyspneic neonate with skin showing loose folds, wrinkles and sagging over the face, neck, trunk and thighs. He had no family history of skin disease suggestive of cutis laxa. Histopathologic study of the skin specimen showed widespread breakdown and decreased number of elastic fibers with granular degeneration, shortening, and fragmentation. He had been dependent on ventilatory support throughout his hospital course and finally succumbed to intractable pulmonary emphysema at the age of 220 days.