Journal of paediatrics and child health
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J Paediatr Child Health · Feb 1994
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialAerosol deposition in cystic fibrosis using an aerosol conservation device and a conventional jet nebulizer.
The deposition of technetium radiolabelled aerosol within the lungs of 12 stable cystic fibrosis patients (mean age 12.7 years) was compared using the Acorn nebulizer and mouthpiece alone, and the Acorn nebulizer attached to the Mizer Aerosol Conservation Device (MACD). The total activity delivered to the patient using the MACD was 11.1% (+/- 7.8% s.d.) of the initial dose, compared to 5.8% (+/- 4.2% s.d.) with the nebulizer and mouthpiece alone (P < 0.05). ⋯ No significant correlation was found between aerosol deposition and pulmonary function. The Mizer Aerosol Conservation Device significantly increases both total intrapulmonary aerosol deposition and peripheral aerosol distribution.
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Two cases of central nervous system germinoma are described which highlight the various presentations of this tumour in different anatomical locations. The first case is that of a 15 year old boy with a suprasellar germinoma who presented with the classical triad of diabetes insipidus, visual disturbance and hypopituitarism. ⋯ Both cases were treated with corticospinal irradiation which resulted in regression of the tumours. Follow up has now been for over 4 years with no sign of recurrence.
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J Paediatr Child Health · Dec 1993
Comparative StudyLack of agreement between two methods of measuring haemoglobin.
Haemoglobin values are reported by the current generation of blood gas analysers used in many intensive care units. A comparison of one such machine against a reference found that there was a mean difference of 1.32 g/dL (95% confidence intervals -2.75-0.9 g/dL) between the values reported. Haemoglobin values reported by blood gas machines may be inaccurate.
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J Paediatr Child Health · Dec 1993
Case ReportsColloid cyst of the 3rd ventricle as a cause of acute neurological deterioration and sudden death.
A 13 year old girl presented with a 24 h history of headache and vomiting. There were no focal neurological signs. The diagnoses considered were vascular headache, meningitis and subarachnoid haemorrhage. ⋯ In this case, it is considered that lumbar puncture may have hastened death by increasing brain-stem compression due to cerebellar tonsillar herniation. It raises the question of whether cerebral CT scan, where readily available, should be performed prior to lumbar puncture. Pathologically, colloid cysts may be easily missed if the brain is examined fresh as the cysts are fragile and have a tendency to be destroyed or fall out.