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Biomedical subjects

D L Dudgeon

Publications and source records attributed to D L Dudgeon.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Diagnosis and management of congenital vascular rings: a 22-year experience.

Between 1968 and 1990, we operatively treated 39 patients (19 boys, 20 girls) with congenital aortic arch anomalies. Median age was 7 months (range, 1.5 months to 23 years). Thirty-seven patients (95%) had respiratory symptoms. Barium swallow was diagnostic in 95%. Right arch with aberrant left subclavian artery and double aortic arch were the most common types (11 each). Treatment of an aortic diverticulum was documented in 19 patients; the aortic diverticulum was excised (9), managed by aortopexy (7), or left in situ (3). Postoperative recovery was rapid, with a median intensive care unit stay of 2 days, time to oral feeding of 1 day, and postoperative time to discharge of 7 days. Two deaths occurred: 1 infant had undergone emergent operation for control of hemorrhage from an aortotracheal fistula due to tracheostomy tube erosion, and the other had multiple associated congenital heart defects. Postoperative complications included bleeding (1), pneumonia (5), and chylothorax (4). One boy had persistent severe symptoms due to an untreated aortic diverticulum and underwent subsequent excision of the aortic diverticulum with complete relief of symptoms. Median length of follow-up was 12.5 months, with at least 97% of survivors completely or nearly completely free of symptoms from the vascular ring. These results suggest that early repair of congenital aortic vascular rings, including fixating or excising an associated serious aortic diverticulum, is safe and effective and allows for normal tracheal growth.

Adolescent

Neurofibromatosis 1: recognition and management of associated neuroblastoma.

Neurofibroma and neuroblastoma both arise from the neural crest, and there has long been speculation regarding a pathogenetic relationship between them. Clinical characteristics do not necessarily distinguish these tumors, therefore the diagnosis of neuroblastoma should be considered in all children with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF-1) who have a rapidly growing or inaccessible mass. A careful physical examination, imaging studies, and urinary catecholamine measurement are indicated. In a child with NF-1 and malignancy, direct tissue examination may be necessary to differentiate malignant from nonmalignant tumor and guide therapy. Furthermore, with the significantly increased risk of certain types of childhood cancer in these patients, we recommend evaluation for this common heritable condition in all patients with malignancy.

Catecholamines

Computed tomographic scanning in children.

Computed tomographic scanning (CT) has been effectively utilized in evaluating the pediatric patient. Our experience with CT of the chest and abdomen in 19 patients has been described. The advantages offered by CT include: a unique anatomic display, the lack of morbidity, and an acceptable radiation dosage. Few technical disadvantages exist. Further application of this unique technique can be predicted.

Abdominal Neoplasms

Perforated appendicitis: current experience in a Childrens Hospital.

A review of 89 consecutive cases of perforated appendicitis recently treated surgically at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles revealed no mortality and a complication rate of 17%. Significant factors in this low morbidity are: adequate preoperative resuscitation, routine administration of broad spectrum antibiotics pre and postoperatively, and attention to surgical detail. Anaerobic organisms were invariably present in cultures of the peritoneal fluid taken at operation. Anaerobes were also present in the blood in all 5 patients having positive blood cultures and were frequently pathogens whenever postoperative infectious complications occurred. The use of antibiotics effective against anaerobic organisms was common in this series and produced no morbidity.

Abscess

Serum gastrin concentrations in infants with short gut syndrome.

Seven babies with 100 cm or less remaining small bowel have been evaluated for evidence of gastric hyperacidity and/or hypergastrinemia. Two babies were also studied after feeding. No patient demonstrated hyperacidity or hypergastrinemia. This infant data is discussed in regards to reported contradictory data in adult studies.

Age Factors

The surgical management of pediatric breast masses.

Information regarding the surgical management of breast masses in the pediatric age group is sparse and is primarily directed at unusual neoplasms. We have reviewed the surgical treatment of 50 patients with inflammatory and neoplastic breast masses occurring in a 15-year period (1957 to 1973) at the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. There were 42 girls and 8 boys, ranging in age from 12 days to 18 years. All patients had either surgical excision or incision and drainage of the masses with a subsequent histologic diagnosis. A variety of pathologic entities were encountered, but there were no primary malignancies. There were 33 patients with fibroadenomas, including four patients with multiple masses. Thirteen patients, six of whom were male, had cellulitis with an underlying breast abscess. The offending organism was gram-negative in one third of these abscesses. While none of the masses in this series were malignant, surgery was indicated to (1) establish diagnosis, (2) allay fears of patient, family, and referring physician, and (3) correct an obvious cosmetic deformity. Surgical drainage encouraged resolution of the inflammatory process, aided in the recovery of the organism, and assured appropriate drug therapy.

Abscess