Background: The use of gastric tubes in newborns admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit is fairly high, and there is a risk of serious complications related to this procedure. Purpose: Considering the need to find a method that does not involve the patient's exposure to radiation, this study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography for verifying gastric tube placement in newborns. Methods: This was a prospective, double-blind, observational study performed in a neonatal intensive care unit, in which 159 infants had gastric intubation using ultrasound examination and radiological imaging, to verify positioning. Results were analyzed in terms of diagnostic accuracy. Results: The tubes were correctly positioned in 157 cases (98.7%), according to radiological images, and in 156 cases (98.1%), according to ultrasound. The sensitivity analysis was 0.98 and the positive predictive value was 0.99. It was not possible to perform a specificity analysis, as there were not enough negative cases in the sample. Implications for Practice: The use of ultrasonography to identify correct positioning of gastric tubes in infants and newborns shows good sensitivity. Implications for Research: It was not possible to evaluate the ultrasonography specificity; further studies with greater samples are probably necessary, so that this objective can be achieved. Video Abstract available at https://journals.lww.com/advancesinneonatalcare/Pages/videogallery.aspx?videoId=29&autoPlay=true.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic value of bowel loops dilatation as a finding on radiographs in the development and mortality of neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On abdominal radiographs of 53 patients for diagnostic suspicion of necrotizing enterocolitis, the major diameters of dilated bowel loops (AD) were measured, as well as the distance between the upper border of the first lumbar vertebra and the lower border of the second one (L1-L2), and the distance between the lateral borders of the first lumbar vertebra (L1) pedicles, and the subsequent association between AD/L1-L2, AD/ L1. This measure was considered as a possible determining factor for potential complications, surgical intervention and mortality. RESULTS: The patients who needed surgical management and who had complications during progression and died of the disease had showed increased AD and AD/L1-L2 (p < 0.05). AD/ L1 values and site of the most dilated bowel loop were not different in the groups with unfavorable progression. CONCLUSION: Bowel loop dilatation detected on initial supine abdominal radiographs suggests a worst prognosis in necrotizing enterocolitis. Furthermore, measurement of the most dilated bowel loop on these radiographs is a simple and reproducible method that adds diagnostic and prognostic information. Keywords: Necrotizing enterocolitis; Radiography; Progression.Valor preditivo da distensão de alças intestinais em radiografias no prognóstico de enterocolite necrosante. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o valor prognóstico da distensão de alças intestinais observada em radiografias na evolução e mortalidade de neonatos com enterocolite necrosante. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Nas radiografias de abdome de 53 pacientes obtidas no momento da suspeita diagnóstica de enterocolite necrosante, foi realizada a medida do diâmetro da alça mais distendida (AD), assim como a distância entre a borda superior da primeira vértebra lombar e a borda inferior da segunda (L1-L2), a distância entre as bordas laterais dos pedículos da primeira vértebra lombar (L1), e foram estabelecidas as associações entre AD/L1-L2 e AD/L1. Esta medida foi considerada como possível determinante de potenciais complicações, intervenção cirúrgica e mortalidade. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes que necessitaram de tratamento cirúrgico, aqueles que tiveram complicações durante a evolução e aqueles que morreram da doença tiveram a relação entre AD e AD/L1-L2 maiores (p < 0,05). Os valores de AD/L1 e a localização da alça mais distendida não foram diferentes nos grupos com evolução desfavorável. CONCLUSÃO: Distensão de alça intestinal detectada em radiografias de abdome realizadas na admissão sugerem pior prognóstico em enterocolite necrosante. Outrossim, medidas do diâmetro da alça mais distendida nessas radiografias são um método simples e reprodutível que oferece informações diagnósticas e prognósticas. Unitermos: Enterocolite necrosante; Radiografia; Evolução. AbstractResumo

IntroductionThe selection of a method for measuring the insertion length of nasogastric tubes in newborns is an important factor in establishing the safe use of this device.ObjectiveThe objective was to verify whether there is a difference in the proportion of correctly placed nasogastric tubes when using the nose, earlobe, mid‐umbilicus (NEMU) method and the weight‐based equation for measuring the insertion length.MethodsThis study is a randomized, controlled, blinded study comparing 2 methods of nasogastric insertion at a neonatal unit, with intensive and intermediate care, on 162 randomized individuals. Radiological assessment and pH test were conducted to verify tube placement. Data were collected on sex, birth weight, gestational age, and days of life. A log‐binomial model was used to verify whether there were placement differences between investigated methods.ResultsOf the patients, 56.1% were male, who had a mean birth weight of 1886.8 g and gestational age of 32.9 weeks and were 10.8 days old. Radiological images demonstrated that tubes were properly placed in the gastric body in 67.5% of patients using the NEMU method and in 91.5% using the weight‐based equation: the weight‐based equation was superior to the NEMU method, with a prevalence ratio of 1.36 (95% CI, 1.15–1.44). There was no difference between the 2 methods, according to pH test (P‐value: .7179).ConclusionBased on radiographic confirmation, the weight‐based equation for measuring the insertion length of the nasogastric tube in newborns resulted in significantly more nasogastric tubes being placed in the correct intragastric location.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as categorias 3, 4 e 5 da classificação BI-RADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) como fator preditivo para malignidade, correlacionando os achados mamográficos e histológicos em lesões não-palpáveis da mama. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo analítico descritivo de 169 mulheres submetidas a biópsia cirúrgica, após localização estereotáxica de lesões mamárias não-palpáveis. As mamografias dessas pacientes foram classificadas de acordo com a quarta edição do BI-RADS, avaliando-se as categorias 3, 4 (A, B e C) e 5. Correlacionaram-se os achados mamográficos com os exames histológicos das lesões, avaliando-se o valor preditivo positivo em cada categoria. RESULTADOS: No total de 169 casos, foram diagnosticados 42 casos de câncer (24,8%). Destes, houve apenas um caso na categoria 3, 19 casos na categoria 4 e 22 casos na categoria 5. Os valores preditivos positivos para as categorias 3, 4A, 4B, 4C e 5 foram, respectivamente, de 3,4%, 10,3%, 11,3%, 36% e 91,7%. As microcalcificações foram o achado mais freqüente relacionado à doença maligna, ocorrendo em 61,5% do total. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo demonstrou que a classificação BI-RADS permite predizer com segurança que há alta suspeição de malignidade para achados classificados na categoria 5 e diminuta chance para os achados da categoria 3. Quanto à categoria 4, foi constatada elevação progressiva dos valores preditivos positivos nas subcategorias A, B e C, mostrando que esta subdivisão contribui de forma mais detalhada e precisa na indicação de lesões suspeitas para malignidade.

O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever os achados normais na radiografia de tórax do recém-nascido, os critérios usados para avaliar a qualidade técnica do exame, assim como o posicionamento correto de sondas, cânulas e cateteres, enfatizando as especificidades dos achados radiológicos relacionados à faixa etária do paciente. No período neonatal, a imagem cardíaca é mais proeminente em virtude da conversão da circulação fetal, as dobras de pele e as variações da imagem tímica podem simular doenças, a avaliação do posicionamento adequado de sondas e cateteres evita iatrogenias, o padrão gasoso intestinal apresenta mudanças relacionadas ao número de horas de vida do paciente e a presença dos núcleos de ossificação secundários na extremidade proximal dos úmeros e processo coracóide está associada com a idade gestacional a termo do recém-nascido, representando, portanto, um sinal radiológico de desenvolvimento ósseo normal. O conhecimento das particularidades e dos aspectos radiológicos normais no tórax do recém-nascido evita diagnósticos equivocados, reduz as iatrogenias e representa um valioso suporte no diagnóstico e no acompanhamento clínico destes pacientes.

ObjectiveTo analyze the radiological aspects of pulmonary atelectasis in newborns on mechanical ventilation and treated in an intensive care unit, associating the characteristics of atelectasis with the positioning of the head and endotracheal tube seen on the chest X-ray, as well as with the clinical variables.Materials and MethodsThis was a retrospective cross-sectional study of 60 newborns treated between 1985 and 2015. Data were collected from medical records and radiology reports. To identify associations between variables, we used Fisher's exact test. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsThe clinical characteristics associated with improper positioning of the endotracheal tube were prematurity and a birth weight of less than 1000 g. Among the newborns evaluated, the most common comorbidity was hyaline membrane disease. Atelectasis was seen most frequently in the right upper lobe, although cases of total atelectasis were more common in the left lung. Malpositioning of the head showed a trend toward an association with atelectasis in the left upper lobe.ConclusionPulmonary atelectasis is a common complication in newborns on mechanical ventilation. Radiological evaluation of the endotracheal tube placement provides relevant information for the early correction of this condition.

Objective:to confirm the accuracy of the pH test in identifying the placement of the gastric tube in newborns.Method:double-blind, diagnostic test study conducted with 162 newborns admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit and an intermediate care unit. The subjects were submitted to enteral intubation, followed by pH test with reagent strip, which was analyzed by a nurse, and radiological examination, analyzed by radiologist. Blinding was kept among professionals regarding test results. Diagnostic accuracy analysis of the pH test in relation to the radiological exam was performed.Results:the sample consisted of 56.17% boys, with average birth weight of 1,886.79g (SD 743,41), 32.92 (SD 2.99) weeks of gestational age and the mean pH was 3.36 (SD 1.27). Considering the cutoff point of pH≤5.5, the sensitivity was 96.25%, specificity 50%, positive predictive value 99.35% and negative predictive value 14.29%.Conclusion:The pH test performed with reagent strips is sensitive to identify the correct placement of the gastric tube, so it can be used as an adjuvant technique in the evaluation of the gastric tube placement. In interpreting the results, pH ≤5.5 points to correct placement and values > 5.5 require radiological confirmation.