Medicine
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Observational Study
Effectiveness of a radiation reduction campaign targeting children with gastrointestinal symptoms in a pediatric emergency department.
Children feature more active cellular division and a smaller body area, which leads to a greater radiation dosage accumulation. We tried to reduce radiation hazards by reducing unnecessary radiological studies in a pediatric emergency department (PED) through the radiation reduction campaign. Our campaign involved a reduction from 2 (erect and supine) to 1 ordered abdominal plain radiograph (erect). ⋯ The RV rate did not change (220 [2%] vs 56 [2%], respectively; P = 0.104). The slope of total RV rate changed from -0.01 to -0.05 (P = 0.132), and the slope of LOS changed from 0.001 to -0.352 (P = 0.243). The campaign to reduce abdominal radiograph orders in pediatric patients successfully reduced the abdominal plain film X-ray rate without on the RV rate and the LOS.
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For localized type Volkmann's contracture, in which degeneration of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) muscle to one or two fingers and restriction of finger extension occur, dissection or excision of the affected muscle is usually recommended. However, these surgical procedures need relatively wide exposure of the muscle, because the FDP muscle is in the deep portion of the forearm. ⋯ Using the treatment procedure presented in this case report, a good clinical result was obtained in a minimally invasive manner.
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Infants who are exposed to the rhinovirus or respiratory syncytial virus are at a higher risk of subsequently developing wheezing or asthma. This study aims to determine whether preschoolers with a history of symptomatic enterovirus infection are at an increased risk of developing allergic diseases or not. We used data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database from 1999 to 2006 for this nationwide population-based cohort study. ⋯ Children in the herpangina group had a higher risk of developing AR and AD, with adjusted hazard ratios of 1.15 (1.02-1.30, 95% CI) and 1.38 (1.17-1.63. 95% CI), respectively, while children suffered from HFMD had decreased risks of asthma, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.76 (0.63-0.93, 95% CI). Children who previously suffered from herpangina experienced an increased risk of subsequently developing AD and AR. Meanwhile, children who had suffered from HFMD experienced a decrease in the subsequent occurrence of asthma compared to the general population.
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Observational Study
Closed reduction using the percutaneous leverage technique and internal fixation with K-wires to treat angulated radial neck fractures in children-case report.
Pediatric radial neck fractures are uncommon. Severely displaced and angulated fractures usually require treatment. Our goals for treatment are to avoid incision, reduce the fracture adequately with no reduction loss, and achieve good postoperative function. We aimed to observe the clinical outcomes of closed reduction with the percutaneous leverage technique and internal fixation with Kirschner-wires (K-wires) to treat angulated radial neck fractures in children.From January 2011 to April 2013, we treated 16 cases of angulated radial neck fracture in 12 boys and 4 girls. Five fractures were type II and 11 fractures were type III using the O'Brien classification. One K-wire was percutaneously introduced into the fracture site using the leverage technique to attain good reduction. Two K-wires were introduced from the proximal to the distal areas of the fracture site. The elbow was immobilized by cast in 90° of flexion and the forearm in supination for 3 to 4 weeks. The K-wires were removed at 3 to 4 weeks postoperatively. All cases were followed up for a mean duration of 3 years 6 months.According to the Metaizeau reduction classification, 12 cases were excellent, and 4 cases were good. According to the Metaizeau clinical classification, 14 cases were excellent, and 2 cases were good. There was no necrosis of the radial head. There was no infection, radioulnar synostosis, and damage of the radial nerve deep branch. There was no limitation in the pronation and supination functions of the forearm.Closed reduction using the percutaneous leverage technique and internal fixation using K-wires is easy to perform. It is encouraged to use this approach as the clinical outcome is good. ⋯ level IV-retrospective case, treatment study.
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Distal humeral diaphyseal fractures are much less common than supracondylar humeral fractures. The triangular shape and thinner periosteum in the diaphyseal region than in the supracondylar region of the distal diaphysis makes the treatment of diaphyseal fractures difficult. Nonoperative treatment for this fracture is challenging and troublesome; thus, open reduction and internal fixation (OR/IF) is generally recommended. ⋯ OR/IF using the herein-described cubital anterior approach seems to be a safe and easily performed procedure for distal humeral diaphyseal fractures, and percutaneous intramedullary Kirschner wires provide reliable fixation in such cases.