Acute pancreatitis in children: efficacy of computed tomography severity index in the assessment, management, and prediction of complications

Aim The aim of the study was to describe the assessment and management aspects and the role of computed tomography severity index (CTSI) in children with acute pancreatitis.Materials and methods All the children (≤14 years) admitted to the pediatric surgery unit of our institution with acute pancreatitis from 2003 to 2014 were included. This retrospective analysis studied the demographic, clinical, diagnostic, and treatment aspects and the role of CTSI.Results The male-to-female ratio out of a total of 45 patients studied was 4 : 1. The differences in mean leukocyte count, mean serum amylase, and mean serum lipase were not significant in children with different CTSI scores. The children with higher CTSI scores are more likely to have both early and late complications, need for intensive care, and overall longer hospital stay.Conclusion CTSI plays an important role in early determination of the clinical severity, guiding the need for intensive care and in predicting the occurrence of early and late complications in children with acute pancreatitis. Keywords: acute pancreatitis, children, computed tomography severity inde

Neurofibromatosis type 1: a rare cause of parotid swelling in a child

Von Recklinghausen disease, also known as neurofibromatosis type 1, is an autosomal dominant disorder that presents as neurocutaneous syndrome. These patients have increased chances of developing other tumors such as plexiform neurofibromas. Plexiform neurofibromas are a proliferation of Schwann cells in the nerve sheath. Affliction of the parotid gland in a young child is a rare presentation of these tumors. We present the management of one such case.Keywords: neurofibromatosis type 1, parotid swelling, plexiform neurofibrom

Solitary vertebral plasmacytoma causing compression fracture in a patient with multiple vertebral hemangiomas: a diagnosis easily missed!

The imaging mimics, acute osteoporotic compression fractures, metastasis and malignant melanoma or plasmacytoma pathological fractures are the important clinical problems in geriatric age group that need to be differentiated due to their grossly differing prognostic and therapeutic implications. There are few suggestive features on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that help differentiate between these entities. Hemangiomas are very common benign spinal tumors that have characteristic features on MRI. In the setting of multiple vertebral hemangiomas causing cord compression in elderly patients, the scenario is even more complex with four different entities with different prognostic profiles. We report such a diagnostic dilemma we encountered in a middle aged female patient with multiple vertebral hemangiomas and compression fracture in D10 vertebra

Hydrometrocolpos Due to Persistent Urogenital Sinus Mimicking Neonatal Ascites

Objective: A urogenital sinus is a common channel into which both the urethra and genital tracts open. Occasionally there might be transverse obstructing membrane leading to hydrometrocolpos from either uterine secretions or urine. Although the presentation is varied, a neonatal presentation of a large hydrometrocolpos mimicking gross ascites is rare. Case Presentation:A 3-day-old female infant was referred to us from periphery as a case of gross ascites of unknown cause. Patient was having rapid and shallow breathing and had gross ascites. The patient was evaluated and was diagnosed to have large hydrometrocolpos. Conclusion: To avoid unnecessary delay in diagnosis and proper treatment the possibility of hydrometrocolpos secondary to urogenital sinus presenting as generalized abdominal distension should be kept in mind. A focused genital examination can help achieve the diagnosis

Statistical Analysis to Explore the Factors of ICT that Effect and Promote Global Citizenship among Undergraudate Students: A Case Study of Karachi

This study aimed to explore the underlying relation between ICT and the factors that promote global citizenship among university undergraduate of Karachi, Pakistan through quantitative method approach. Globalization has had numerous and multifaceted effects on education policies and practices at various levels. Therefore, this study attempted to highlight the significance of ICT uses as a tool for fostering global citizenship among undergrads of both sectors in Karachi. The impact of ICT on factors that promote global citizenship among university students are also examined. The Global Citizenship Survey questionnaire was used for quantitative data. A total of 400 students from private and public sector universities participated in this study. The reliability of the responses calculated through Cronbach’s alpha and found to be almost 0.82 for all constructs. This indicates that responses are highly consistent within each construct. An advanced Multivariate Statistical tool “ Exploratory Factor Analysis” (EFA) was also carried out to identify the hidden pattern of the data and identify the most important factors of ICT that promote global citizenship. For the adequacy of data that is the data are suitable for the factor analysis Kaiser Meyer Olkin (KMO) criteria was considered and its value is found to be 0.784. This value indicates that the Global citizenship survey data are adequate and good enough to carry out factor analysis. For the interpretation and discussion of the results we consider first 5 factors with eigen value greater than 1. The results of factor analysis indicate that factors with items of high positive loading are the communication skill and world perspective. In the view of research findings it may be concluded that ICT promotes global citizenship among undergraduate university students

Macrodystrophia lipomatosa: four case reports

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Aim</p> <p>Macrodystrophia lipomatosa is a rare cause of gigantism of limb which can be confused with other common causes like congenital lymphedema. It presents usually with loss of function and cosmetic problems. Four cases are described with emphasis on clinical presentation, differential diagnoses, imaging and treatment options.</p> <p>Methods & Results</p> <p>Four patients of macrodystrophia lipomatosa were thoroughly examined and subjected to investigations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Besides diligent clinical examination, imaging and histopathology are crucial in clinching the diagnosis.</p