Liver stiffness value obtained by point shear-wave elastography is significantly related with atrial septal defect size

PURPOSEThe increase in volume and pressure in the right atrium (RA) and right ventricle (RV) has been shown to increase the liver stiffness (LS). In the literature, there is no information about the changes in LS value in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD). The aim of our study was to investigate the change of LS values obtained by point shear-wave elastography (pSWE) in patients with ASD and the clinical utility of pSWE for this disease.METHODSThis cross-sectional study included 66 patients with ostium secundum ASD: 21 patients with no indication for ASD closure (Group I), 38 patients who underwent ASD closure (Group II), and 7 patients who had ASD with Eisenmenger syndrome (Group III). All patients underwent echocardiography and pSWE. Increased LS was accepted as ≥7 kPa.RESULTSLS values as well as transaminases, clinical signs of heart failure and functional and structural heart abnormalities (increase of RA and RV diastolic dimensions, tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient [TRPG], ASD size and decrease of ejection fraction, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion) significantly increased from Group I to Group III (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Mean LS values for Group I, Group II, and Group III were 5.16±1.55 kPa, 7.48±1.99 kPa, and 13.9±2.58 kPa, respectively. In multivariate linear regression analysis, ASD size and TRPG were significantly associated with LS increase. Only ASD size independently predicted abnormal LS increase ≥7 kPa according to multivariate logistic regression. Clinical value of LS increase was comparable to TRPG for detection of Eisenmenger syndrome; in the receiver operating curve analysis, area under the curve was 0.995 for LS (P < 0.001) and 0.990 for TRPG (P < 0.001). At 10 kPa threshold, LS determined the Eisenmenger syndrome with 100% sensitivity and 91.5% specificity.CONCLUSIONLS value assessed by pSWE was significantly increased in ASD patients with closure indication and Eisenmenger syndrome compared to patients without ASD closure indication and was comparable with TRPG in regards to Eisenmenger syndrome identification. ASD size significantly associated with LS and independently predicted abnormal LS increase ≥7 kPa

Pneumomediastinum, Pneumopericardium, and Epidural Pneumatosis following Adenotonsillectomy: A Very Rare Complication

Adenotonsillectomy is a common surgical otolaryngology procedure that is associated with several complications, including hemorrhage, odynophagia, damage to teeth, taste disorders, atlantoaxial subluxation, lingual edema, infection, and injury of the carotid artery. Pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, and epidural pneumatosis are an extremely unusual condition in children with adenotonsillectomy. Treatment should be conservative in the majority of cases and based on benign self-limiting course of these diseases; early recognition can prevent further complications. The combination of pneumomediastinum with epidural pneumatosis, pneumopericardium, retropharyngeal-prevertebral pneumatosis, axillar-perihumeral pneumatosis, and subcutaneous emphysema is also a very rare condition. We present a unique case with the radiological findings of air in all of these areas in a 6-year-old male child with adenotonsillectomy. The case was unusual in that the patient developed this complication 3 hours later after adenotonsillectomy with severe vomitting. The possible mechanism, the algorithm of treatment, and precautions in such cases will be discussed

An Unusual Pediatric Case of Allen Key Penetrating Trauma in Maxillofacial Region

Paranasal sinus (PNS) foreign bodies are not common. They are usually due to penetrating trauma and iatrogenic events. On imaging, radiopaque foreign bodies can easily be detected by X-ray views of PNS. CT scan may be necessary to evaluate the exact location of foreign body in some cases. Foreign body in the PNS should be removed as early as possible. Approach and technique of its removal depend upon its size, shape, and location. Nasal endoscopic examination can be helpful for these cases. We present a pediatric girl case of penetrating FB injury inserted into the maxillary sinus towards nasopharynx in a suddenly braking car