No abstract

Complex dorsal metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint dislocations as a result of hyperextension injuries are uncommon in the pediatric population and irreducible to closed maneuvers. Treatment of these complex lesions is invariably surgical, and dorsal or volar approaches are traditionally used. The authors describe a case of a 16-year-old male who suffered a fall onto his outstretched right hand in a soccer game. The patient presented to the ER with pain and deformity of the index finger MCP joint. Radiographs confirmed a complex MCP dislocation with a small osteochondral fragment. A lateral surgical approach was made, and interposition of the volar plate and an osteochondral fragment blocking the reduction were found. This versatile approach allowed access to volar and dorsal structures, minimizing the risk of surgical scarring and mobility arch limitation. To our knowledge, there are no reported cases regarding a lateral surgical approach.

The obturator hernia is an uncommon condition, with clinical manifestations of pain and intestinal obstruction. The preoperative diagnosis is difficult. The treatment is always surgical. There are several repair techniques that have been described: sac ligation alone, direct suture repair, use of autologous tissue or prosthetic repair. We report a case of an obturator hernia that was treated by the use of a plug of Mersilene.

Aims The prognostic role of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in acute heart failure is less well established than for chronic heart failure and the impact of its variation is unknown. We studied the impact of hsCRP variation in acute heart failure and whether it differed according to left ventricular function. Methods We analyzed patients prospectively included in an acute heart failure registry. Admission and discharge hsCRP were evaluated as part of the registry's protocol and its relative variation (ΔhsCRP) was assessed. ΔhsCRP during hospitalization =  [(admission hsCRP – discharge hsCRP)/admission hsCRP] × 100. Endpoint: all-cause death; follow-up: 3 years. A multivariate Cox-regression model was used to assess the prognostic value of ΔhsCRP (continuous and categorical variable: cut-off 40% decrease); analysis was stratified according to ventricular function. Results We studied 439 patients: mean age 75 years, 50.1% men and 69.2% had heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Median discharge hsCRP was 12.4 mg/l and median ΔhsCRP was ∼40%. During follow-up 247 patients (56.3%) died: 73 (54.1%) heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients and 174 (57.2%) HFrEF patients. The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio of 3-year mortality in HFpEF patients with hsCRP decrease of at least 40% during hospitalization was 0.56 (95% CI 0.32–0.99). A decrease of at least 40% in hsCRP was not mortality-associated in HFrEF patients. There was interaction between ΔhsCRP and left ventricular ejection fraction. Conclusion A decrease of at least 40% in hsCRP in acute heart failure was associated with a 44% decrease in 3-year death risk in HFpEF patients. No association between ΔhsCRP and prognosis existed in HFrEF patients. Inflammation appears to play a different role according to left ventricular function.

Introduction Diuretics are first-line drugs in symptomatic heart failure treatment. Diabetes mellitus has been suggested as a determinant of diuretic resistance. Studies comparing the dose and efficacy of diuretics in patients with and without diabetes are lacking. We aimed to study if furosemide dose differed according to diabetes status. Methods We studied two cohorts of heart failure patients: a cohort of acute heart failure patients consecutively hospitalized with the primary diagnosis of heart failure and another of stable and optimized patients followed in a heart failure clinic. Data on comorbidities and medication were abstracted from patients’ files. Use and doses of furosemide were compared between diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Regression analysis was used to determine the association of variables with diuretic dose. The independent association of diabetes with furosemide dose was assessed using multivariate models. Results We studied 865 heart failure patients: 601 acute heart failure patients and 264 chronic stable heart failure patients. Acute heart failure patients with diabetes were more likely to need intravenous diuretic therapy and they were also more often discharged under higher doses of furosemide. They needed extra 6-mg furosemide at discharge in comparison with their nondiabetics counterparts and had an independent 26% higher odds of being discharged with at least 80-mg furosemide. Chronic patients were also more frequently prescribed with furosemide and on higher doses, although, diabetes was not independently associated with the use of higher furosemide doses. Conclusion Diabetic patients are more intensively treated with the loop diuretic furosemide. In acute heart failure, diabetes is an independent predictor of furosemide dose.

Case report he found IE in 0.6% of the patients (3). Sun et al, in a retrospective study between 1986-2008, found an incidence of 0.07% (9 in 13,352 patients) (4). IE generally involves the extraperitoneal portion of the round ligament, but it may be found in inguinal lymph nodes, subcutaneous adipose tissue or in the wall of sacs of inguinal or femoral hernias (5). Due to its rarity, the correct diagnosis of IE poses a challenge as it can mimic the whole range of inguinal pathology and be often misdiagnosed as inguinal hernia, lymphadenopathy, abscess, lymphoma, lipoma, hematoma or subcutaneous cyst (1, 2, 5). Therefore, the real prevalence of IE is probably underreported. IE pathogenesis is not yet completely understood. There are several possible theories: 1) implantation of endometrial tissue by transtubal regurgitation during the menstrual cycle; 2) via hematological or lymphatic spread of endometrial cells; 3) congenital hormonal activation of embryonal cells from the Müllerian duct; 4) metaplasia of mesothelial cells and direct extension from the pelvis along the round ligament (1). The reason why the right side is much more affected remains unclear, but it can be due to: asymmetrical lymphatic drainage in favor of the right inguinal and femoral region; protection of the left inguinal canal by the sigmoid colon; endometrial cells remaining on the right side for a longer period due to clockwise flow of intraperitoneal fluid (2, 4, 6).

Background: Many pediatric cancer survivors have endocrine conditions. After treatment with alkylating agents, steroids, methotrexate, and radiation, several endocrine dysfunctions may appear. Surveillance for late effects is recommended by guidelines worldwide. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the endocrine outcomes of 764 patients followed during a 20 years' period in our out-patient clinic. Design: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records. Patients: The study included 764 patients whose oncological or hematological dangerous diseases appeared before they were 18 years old. Larger groups were constituted by leukemias, central nervous tumors, and lymphomas. Outcome Measures: The frequency and types of endocrine conditions were analyzed. Results: 1,091 endocrine conditions were observed in all groups. The most common types of endocrine conditions were problems with growth and the thyroid. We found puberty abnormalities and bone problems in third and fourth places of frequency. ACTH insufficiency was found in seventh place. Conclusion: Endocrine dysfunctions are very common in survivor populations. Endocrinologists should be aware of international guidelines and make an effort to optimize Case Rep Oncol 2017;10:958-963

This is a case report of pyogenic sacroiliitis in a pediatric patient caused by Streptococcus intermedius. The patient is a 16-year-old boy who presented to an emergency department with sudden onset of back pain radiating to the left lower extremity. The diagnosis was confounded by the presence of isthmic spondylolisthesis. Plain radiography demonstrated mild isthmic spondylolisthesis but no radiographic signs of tumor, trauma, infection, arthritis, or other developmental problems. The C-reactive protein level was 23 mg/L. Over the next 24 hours, the patient developed fever, and the C-reactive protein level increased to 233 mg/L. Sacroiliitis and an iliopsoas abscess were identified on MRI. Blood cultures grew S intermedius. The patient responded to antibiotic treatment and needle aspiration under CT guidance. Sacroiliitis is an uncommon condition and, to our knowledge, there is only one other case report of its being caused by S intermedius. The previous report was in an adult.