Journal of pediatric surgery
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A major objective of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) research is to devise a noninvasive method of early detection. We hypothesized that abdominal near-infrared spectroscopy (A-NIRS) readings will identify impending NEC in a large animal model. ⋯ Abdominal near-infrared spectroscopy is capable of detecting alterations in intestinal oxygenation and perfusion in neonatal piglets and may allow early detection of neonates at risk for NEC.
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Comparative Study
Surgeon-performed ultrasound as a diagnostic tool in appendicitis.
Diagnosing appendicitis may require adjunct studies such as computed tomography or ultrasound (US). Combining a clinical examination with surgeon-performed US (SPUS) may increase diagnostic accuracy and decrease radiation exposure and costs. ⋯ Accuracy of SPUS was similar to RDUS and that of a large prospective randomized trial performed by radiologists. Furthermore, when the same clinician performs the clinical examination and US, a high level of accuracy can be achieved. With this degree of accuracy, SPUS may be used as a primary diagnostic tool and computed tomography reserved for challenging cases, limiting costs, and radiation exposure.
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Lung nodules that develop in children with cancer may represent metastatic disease or other conditions potentially requiring aggressive treatment. Thoracoscopic methods have been used for nodule resection; however, lesions deep in the lung parenchyma can be difficult to visualize. Fluoroscopic-guided thoracoscopic surgical resection after computed tomography (CT)-guided localization using microcoils has been described in the adult literature and has the potential to assist in the resection of deep pulmonary nodules in children. ⋯ In the pediatric population, we have successfully applied a previously described adult technique using CT-localized microcoils to direct fluoroscopic-guided thoracoscopic surgical resection of pulmonary nodules.
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This study outlines the evolution of a pediatric field hospital after the January 2010 Haiti earthquake. ⋯ A disaster involving significant casualties in a populated area demands the rapid development of a field facility with pediatric personnel. Requirements for equipment, manpower, medical records, and systems addressing volunteer stress and ethical dilemmas can be anticipated.
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The goal of this study is to look at the geographic growth patterns of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in our local region and to determine if specific geographic areas are at increased risk. ⋯ Methicillin-resistant S aureus has now become the most prevalent organism isolated from cultures of community-acquired abscesses requiring incision and drainage in the pediatric population in our local region. Significant clustering of MRSA infections has appeared in several different cities within our geographic region.