The results suggest that sonographic assessment of the gastric antrum provides useful information regarding gastric content (empty versus nonempty) and volume (ml·kg(-1) ) in pediatric patients. Results suggest that the three-point grading system may be a valuable tool to assess gastric 'fullness' based on a qualitative exam of the antrum.

Occlusive central line-related complications are not infrequent in children undergoing cancer therapy, but are generally not associated with life-threatening complications. Thrombosis of the superior vena cava (SVC) is rarely described in such patients, and downhill esophageal varices have been described in children and adults as a complication of altered SVC blood flow. The management of patients with SVC thrombosis and associated varices is complicated by the need to treat the thrombus weighed against bleeding risk. We present a 14-year-old adolescent with a history of acute leukemia and central line-related complications, including SVC thrombosis with subsequent formation of downhill esophageal varices. Conservative management consisting of anticoagulation alone resulted in resolution of the varices with no bleeding complications.

Portosystemic shunts are used to treat portal hypertension arising from extrahepatic portal venous obstruction. They decompress the portal system by allowing intestinal blood to bypass the liver and enter directly into the systemic circulation. These shunts increase the risk of minimal hepatic encephalopathy and altered neurodevelopmental outcomes in affected children. Treatment options are limited and have been extrapolated from those used in cirrhosis. We describe the use of glycerol phenylbutyrate as an alternate management strategy. A 3-year-old boy underwent distal splenorenal shunt for refractory variceal bleeding secondary to portal hypertension. He had neurologic deterioration and hyperammonemia refractory to traditional management strategies. Glycerol phenylbutyrate was initiated and resulted in a sustained improvement in ammonia levels, behavior, and school performance. This case illustrates the successful use of glycerol phenylbutyrate in a noncirrhotic patient with Portosystemic shunt and minimal hepatic encephalopathy refractory to conventional management strategies.

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