Outcomes of preterm neonates with frontal horn cysts: a retrospective study.

Isolated paraventricular frontal horn cysts are sometimes encountered on cranial ultrasound examinations of preterm neonates. The etiology and clinical significance of these lesions are unclear. The authors aimed to identify antenatal/intrapartum risk factors associated with the occurrence of these cysts and to assess developmental outcomes of preterm neonates with isolated frontal horn cysts. A retrospective cohort study with matched control design was used. A total of 28 cases were matched for gestation with 56 controls. No antenatal/intrapartum factors were associated with these cysts. At corrected age of 1 year, there was no difference in the mean general quotient between cases and controls (97.75 ± 17.28 vs 94.94 ± 9.86; P = .410). In all, 1 case and no controls had a diagnosis of cerebral palsy and 1 case and 3 controls had general quotients less than 80. The authors conclude that isolated paraventricular frontal horn cysts are benign, with no effect on neurodevelopment.

Primary sternal osteomyelitis: a case series and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Primary sternal osteomyelitis is rare in the pediatric population. METHODS: We present 4 recent cases that demonstrate a wide range in age, presenting features, and clinical course, and we performed a literature review. RESULT: A combination of diagnostic aspiration with prolonged appropriate antibiotic therapy led to successful resolution in all cases. Surgical debridement should be reserved for cases that do not respond to medical therapy. CONCLUSION: Sternal osteomyelitis is a rare condition in children that usually resolves with aspiration and prolonged antibiotic therapy.

Bipartite parietal bone: a rare cause of plagiocephaly.

A case of an infant with an asymmetrical head is presented. On clinical assessment the patient displayed features of deformational plagiocephaly. With the aid of three-dimensional CT imaging of the skull, a bipartite parietal bone was diagnosed. The prevalence and possible aetiology of a bipartite parietal bone is discussed as well as a brief overview of the common causes of plagiocephaly.

Posterior urethral valves causing urinomas: two case reports.

The cases of two male babies with posterior urethral valves complicated by the formation of urinomas are reported. Early diagnosis and treatment of this condition is important, as morbidity and mortality from resultant renal failure can be significant if it is unrecognized.

Cranial ultrasound as a predictor of outcome in term newborn encephalopathy.

As part of a patient-based case-control study of newborn encephalopathy, we examine the cranial ultrasound results of 212 patients to determine the validity of ultrasound in predicting an adverse outcome. Forty-six (22%) patients died or developed cerebral palsy (adverse outcome) by 2 years of age. On the basis of clinical decision, 125 (60%) patients had an ultrasound before 72 hours of age; of these, 29% had an adverse outcome. The resistive index is the primary measure of interest, with a value of 0.55 or less considered abnormal. Infants with an abnormal resistive index are 8.8 times (P < 0.001) more likely to have an adverse outcome than those with a normal result. The positive predictive value of an abnormal resistive index was 71%. The results are similar for the subgroup with intrapartum hypoxia and the subgroup that had ultrasound performed before 24 hours of age. It is clear that resistive index results cannot be used in isolation, although they may have a place, in combination with other factors, in the counseling of parents and, cautiously, in the clinical management of patients.