[Early central nervous system complications following purulent meningitis and encephalitis in children from 1 month to 2 years of age according to the etiological factor]. / Wczesne powiklania ze strony osrodkowego ukladu nerwowego u dzieci w wieku od 1 miesiaca do 2 lat w przebiegu ropnego zapalenia opon mózgowo-rdzeniowych i mózgu w zaleznosci od czynnika etiologicznego.

Open anterior fontanel cerebral ultrasonography was performed in 113 children aged between 1 month and 2 years, infants with purulent meningitis and encephalitis. It revealed early CNS complications in 50 patients (44.2%). The treatment protocol was adjusted for different types of complications. All children were discharged home and referred for further care to paediatricians and neurologists. Transfontanel ultrasonography is of great value for evaluating different types of complications following CNS infections.

Colorectal neoplasms. Screening can save lives.

Colorectal cancer is a very important cause of death and disability throughout the world. In the future, it may be possible to reduce the risk of this disease through such measures as dietary modification or use of aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but this remains to be proved. It may also be possible to detect persons at high risk or those with early lesions by using noninvasive studies, such as genetic tests or detection of trace markers in the stool, but these approaches either are not yet available or are not proved in clinical trials. However, through careful and systematic clinical history taking and appropriate screening studies, neoplasms can be detected early or in the precancerous stage. Mortality from colon cancer could be reduced dramatically by applying currently available methods as part of a health maintenance program. Fecal occult blood testing and flexible sigmoidoscopy must be integrated into practice routines in the same way that Pap smears and mammography have been accepted by physicians and patients as a way to save lives.