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Biomedical subjects

A E Brodeur

Publications and source records attributed to A E Brodeur.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Neurosonographic changes in newborns treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Ten out of 40 near-term neonates on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy developed abnormal neurosonograms. We identified two abnormal patterns. Hyperechoic areas of intracranial hemorrhage were observed in two patients (a significantly lower incidence than previously reported). Diffuse or focal echogenic areas of hypoxia-ischemia resulting from periventricular leukomalacia, cerebral edema or large vessel infarction had not previously been noted in nine of these patients. Three of the ten patients survived with neurological sequelae. Recognition of hemorrhage or a hypoxic-ischemic pattern should serve as a warning to initiate or accelerate the weaning of infants from ECMO.

Brain Diseases

Congenital peritoneal mesothelioma.

Only three primary peritoneal mesotheliomas in children have been previously reported. We describe a 6-wk-old girl with a papillary peritoneal mesothelioma of low grade malignancy. This is probably a congenital mesothelioma and is the youngest patient reported to date.

Female

Some vagaries of the lateral epicondyle.

The early roentgenographic characteristics of ossification of the epiphysis of the normal lateral epicondyle may be misinterpreted as being due to trauma. This is primarily due to the shape of the lateral epicondyle and its apparent separation from the associated metaphysis. The following points are noted. (1) The distal part of the epiphysis fuses with the capitellum before the proximal part unites with the adjacent humerus. This frequently results in the physis appearing like a fracture. (2) The epiphysis forms the most distal part of the lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus. (3) Ossification of the epiphysis begins at the level of the capitellar physis and proceeds first to a typical silver shape and then to a triangular shape. To assist in distinguishing between the roentgenographic appearance of normal ossification and that of a fracture of a lateral epicondyle, various fractures involving the lateral epicondylar epiphysis, the capitellum, and the associated metaphyses are discussed.

Child

Three- tier rare-earth imaging system.

The increased efficiency of gadolinium oxysulfide intensifying screens as compared to calcium tungstate screens depends primarily on increased absorption of x-ray photons coupled with a twofold increase in light output. Whether this increased efficiency can be effectively used in a routine diagnostic department to significantly decrease radiation dose was the subject of this study. Consecutive radiographic examinations (5,806) were conducted using these "rare earth" screens. Each radiographic room used three individual rare earth screen/orthochromatic film combinations in order to obtain different speeds. These were labeled A, B, and C and ranged from "par" speed high detail to "ultra high" speed with less detail but correspondingly less patient radiation exposure. The system selected for a particular examination was based on the radiologists' requirements for imaging of anatomic detail. Those examinations requiring less detailed resolution (such as bone alignment through a wet plaster cast) were assigned the fastest speed available. The use of a rare earth/3-tier system resulted in an overall reduction in radiation exposure of about 80%.

Child

Some vagaries of the medial epicondyle.

Roentgenographic data on the maturing epiphysis of the medial epicondyle of the humerus are prone to misinterpretation for the following reasons. First, fractures of the medial epicondyle may not be associated with joint effusion or metaphyseal avulsion fragments. Second, in the medial epicondyle the center of ossification, which lies posteromedial to the distal end of the humerus and is the last of the elbow epiphyses to unite with the humerus, may be quite distant from the humeral metaphysis, and differentiation of this normal characteristic from minimum avulsion is necessary. Also, multicentric ossification, although uncommon, will give the epiphysis a fragmented appearance. Finally, just before ossification of the medial epicondylar epiphysis, on its metaphyseal surface on the distal end of the humerus a sharp, straight sclerotic edge develops.

Child

Some vagaries of the olecranon.

The maturing olecranon of the ulna is readily prone to misinterpretation because its normal radiographic characteristics may closely resemble those of fractures, for the following reasons: (1) just prior to ossification of the olecranon epiphysis, a straight sclerotic edge develops in the associated metaphysis on the proximal part of the ulna; (2) ossification of the olecranon begins in two or more centers that commonly fuse with each other before fusing with the parent bone and that may be separated widely from the metaphysis in the early stages; and (3) the physis of the olecranon frequently migrates distally into the joint and may simulate a fracture line. Features distinguishing the normal olecranon from a fracture are discussed in this paper.

Adolescent

Some vagaries of the capitellum.

The capitellum is the first epiphyseal center of the elbow to ossify. Its normal position is easily subject to misinterpretation as a separation fracture because: (1) the ossification center for the capitellum is situated anteriorly, (2) it is often tilted downward during development, and (3) its epiphysis tends to be wider posteriorly than anteriorly. The capitellum frequently fuses with the trochlea and lateral epicondyle before uniting with the humerus. We reviewed the normal anatomical configuration of the elbow. Some useful methods for evaluating the position of the normally situated and minimally displaced capitellum and distal end of the humerus are presented.

Adolescent

Apical pneumatocele.

Cervical herniation of the lung is a rare condition that results from congenital agenesis of Sibson Fascia. Occasionally, this may result from acquired causes like trauma. We report a rare case of a patient who was recently encountered in our Otorhinolaryngological Clinic and who posed an interesting problem of differential diagnosis. The management of such patients requires frequent checkups to safeguard against spontaneous pneumothorax. An otolaryngologist should not be caught unaware as the rhythmic "ballooning" of the supraclavicular area is quite characteristic with forced expiration.

Child