ADC values of NAWM appear increased in TSC patients. The abnormal ADC values suggest that myelination may be delayed/impaired in TSC patients, which could explain global neurocognitive deficits. Larger prospective studies, including diffusion tensor imaging, are necessary to validate our results.
Since typical inflammatory responses may be diminished in children following bone marrow transplant (BMT), computed tomography (CT) imaging of the sinuses has been increasingly ordered to diagnose sinusitis in this group. The objective of this study was to determine the association between clinical sinusitis symptoms and sinus opacification on CT scans in post BMT versus immunocompetent children. Our sample was comprised of 64 post BMT and 86 immunocompetent children with sinus CT scans. CT sinus opacification was scored using the modified Lund–Mackay staging system. The relationship between clinical sinusitis symptoms (rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, cough, headache, and facial pain) and opacification was compared for the two groups. The severity of sinus opacification in the BMT group was significantly higher compared to the immunocompetent group. In combined patient groups the odds ratio (OR) for moderate/severe sinusitis was significantly elevated for rhinorrhea (OR=3.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27–7.12), cough (OR=2.80; 95% CI, 1.22–6.42), and having either rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, or cough (OR= 4.76; 95% CI, 1.71–13.24). While the immunocompetent group had a greater number of sinusitis symptoms compared to the post BMT group, both groups had a significant increase in the severity on CT with increasing number of symptoms.
Conclusion
In post BMT patients, our data demonstrated higher odds of moderate/severe sinusitis on CT scans associated with rhinorrhea, cough or nasal congestion. These finding suggest that in post BMT children, detailed sinus history may still play a vital role in the diagnosis of sinusitis.
Pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PMA) is a recently described rare tumor which is a variant of pilocytic astrocytoma (PA). It exhibits a more aggressive behavior than PA. Spinal cord PMA has been reported in two articles in the past and none of the reported case had extraneural metastasis. We report on a female child with cervical cord PMA with diffuse leptomeningeal metastasis involving the brain and spinal cord. Two years later she presented with peritoneal carcinomatoses which was consistent with metastatic tumor via a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. This case confirms the aggressive behavior of PMA and makes clinicians aware of the possibility of extraneural, peritoneal metastasis through a VP shunt.
Conjoined twinning is a very rare occurrence with no genetic predisposition. Twisting of conjoined twins around the axis of their connecting tissue bridge, close to the third trimester, has not been previously reported. We describe a unique case of in utero twisting of conjoined omphalopagus twins who survived without any adverse effects. Fetal US and fetal MRI played a vital role in the diagnosis and perinatal management of these twins.
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