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Biomedical subjects

D P Frush

Publications and source records attributed to D P Frush.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Hepatocellular carcinoma in glycogen storage disease type Ia: a case series.

We present a series of 8 patients (6 males, 2 females) with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSD Ia). In this group, the age at which treatment was initiated ranged from birth to 39 years (mean 9.9 years). All patients but one were noncompliant with treatment. Hepatic masses were first detected at an age range of 13-45 years (mean 28.1 years). Age at diagnosis of HCC ranged from 19 to 49 years (mean 36.9 years). Duration between the diagnosis of liver adenomas and the diagnosis of HCC ranged from 0 to 28 years (mean 8.8 years, SD = 11.5). Two patients had positive hepatitis serologies (one hepatitis B, one hepatitis C). Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was normal in 6 of the 8 patients. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was normal in the 5 patients in which it was measured. Current guidelines recommend abdominal ultrasonography with AFP and CEA levels every 3 months once patients develop hepatic lesions. Abdominal CT or MRI is advised when the lesions are large or poorly defined or are growing larger. We question the reliability of AFP and CEA as markers for HCC in GSD Ia. Aggressive interventional management of masses with rapid growth or poorly defined margins may be necessary to prevent the development of HCC in this patient population.

Adenoma↗

Transhepatic catheterization using ultrasound-guided access.

The efficacy and safety of ultrasound guidance to obtain transhepatic access for cardiac catheterization were investigated in this study. The transhepatic route for access to perform cardiac catheterization has become an acceptable alternative when conventional routes of access have failed. However, the use of ultrasound to guide transhepatic access has not been reported in the literature. We performed a retrospective chart review. Patient characteristics, indications for catheterization, procedures performed, and complications were recorded. All patients who underwent transhepatic cardiac catheterization at Duke University Medical Center were included in this study. Eight patients underwent 12 catheterizations. The median age was 5.3 years (range, 9 months to 13 years) and median weight 18.7 kg (range, 7.1-44.8 kg). Seven catheterizations were diagnostic and 5 were interventional. There were no complications. Transhepatic access with ultrasound guidance is a safe and effective option for obtaining venous access for cardiac catheterization.

Adolescent↗

Imaging of paediatric mediastinal masses.

A review of mediastinal masses in children is important for several reasons. First, the mediastinum is the common location for thoracic masses in children. Second, the type and frequency of masses differ in children compared with adults. Third, anatomic variations can be misinterpreted as mediastinal masses. Lastly, there are special technical considerations for imaging mediastinal masses in children. This article is derived from a literature review and the author's personal experience with imaging mediastinal masses. Figures are used to illustrate the spectrum of lesions in the anterior, middle and posterior mediastinum in children. Familiarity with the types of masses, frequency of presentation and imaging features are extremely valuable in determining the appropriate subsequent care for the child.

Child↗

Reliability of CXR for the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) continues to be prevalent, despite new treatment, in part because of increased survival in less mature infants. Investigations of new treatments have been hampered by a lack of universally accepted diagnostic criteria. Radiographic scoring systems have been developed to provide objective assessment of lung injury and risk for chronic lung disease. OBJECTIVE: We sought to test the reliability of a recently reported system using chest radiography as the main tool for diagnosis of BPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred chest radiographs, half demonstrating BPD and the other half without BPD, were analyzed by pediatric radiologists and by a neonatologist, using the Weinstein score (1-6, depending on increasing radiographic severity). The reliability of this scoring system was tested by kappa (k) statistics. RESULTS: Reliability at the lowest threshold (dividing score 1 from score > or = 2) was unacceptably low in this population. Reliability increased with inclusion of higher BPD scores in the comparison groups: 1-3 versus 4-6. CONCLUSION: Using the chest radiograph for the prediction of BPD is not reliable between different observers except at the two extremes of the disease.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia↗

Hepatic storage of glycogen in Niemann-Pick disease type B.

We report 2 patients with confirmed Niemann-Pick disease, type B, with previous diagnoses of glycogen storage disease based on excessive glycogen on liver biopsy specimens. These cases emphasize the importance of a complete evaluation, including biochemical confirmation, for patients with suspected metabolic storage diseases.

Child, Preschool↗

Helical CT of the body: are settings adjusted for pediatric patients?

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine whether adjustments related to patient age are made in the scanning parameters that are determinants of radiation dose for helical CT of pediatric patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This prospective investigation included all body (chest and abdomen) helical CT examinations (n = 58) of neonates, infants, and children (n = 32) referred from outside institutions for whom radiologic consultation was requested. Information recorded included tube current, kilovoltage, collimation, and pitch. Examinations were arbitrarily grouped on the basis of the individual's age: group A, 0-4 years; group B, 5-8 years; group C, 9-12 years; and group D, 13-16 years old. RESULTS: Thirty-one percent (18/58) of the CT examinations were of the chest and 69% (40/58) were of the abdomen. Sixteen percent (9/58) of the CT examinations were combined chest and abdomen. In 22% (2/9) of these combined examinations, tube current was adjusted between the chest and abdomen CT; in one (11%) of these examinations, the tube current was higher for the chest than for the abdomen portion of the CT examination. The mean tube current setting for chest was 213 mA and was 206 mA for the abdomen, with no evident adjustment in tube current based on the age of the patient. Fifty-six percent of the examinations of neonates, infants, or children 8 years old or younger were performed at a collimation of greater than 5 mm and 53% of these examinations were performed using a pitch of 1.0. CONCLUSION: Pediatric helical CT parameters are not adjusted on the basis of the examination type or the age of the child. In particular, these results suggest that pediatric patients may be exposed to an unnecessarily high radiation dose during body CT.

Adolescent↗

Data acquisition for pediatric CT angiography: problems and solutions.

With appropriate attention to the technical aspects, excellent CT angiography can be obtained even in young infants. In this article, we will present the problems inherent with pediatric CT angiography and offer solutions that minimize or eliminate these difficulties. In addition, a literature review of specific pediatric applications is provided.

Angiography↗

Reduced frequency of sedation of young children with multisection helical CT.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the use of multisection helical computed tomography (CT) can decrease the need for sedation compared with single-section helical CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The number of children who required sedation to undergo body CT with a multisection helical scanner was recorded. The authors noted the type of examination and whether contrast material was used. The children were categorized according to age (< or = 17 years, < or = 6 years, < or = 1 year). RESULTS: In 219 CT examinations, only three children required sedation (1.4%). The sedation rate was 3% (three of 90) for children aged 6 years or younger and 8% (three of 37) for those aged 1 year or younger. Examinations were of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis in 68 patients, of the abdomen and pelvis in 112, and of the chest alone in 39. Contrast material was intravenously administered in 186 (85%) examinations. All scans were of diagnostic quality. CONCLUSION: The rate of sedation was reduced threefold with multisection helical CT compared with standard helical CT, and the need for sedation was eliminated in some age groups.

Adolescent↗

Differentiating normal from abnormal inferior thoracic paravertebral soft tissues on chest radiography in children.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this investigation were to define the normal appearances, define factors that have the potential to influence appearance, and establish defined criteria to differentiate normal from abnormal appearances of posteroinferior paravertebral soft tissues on chest radiography in children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Paravertebral soft tissues were evaluated on frontal chest radiographs in 23 children with documented abnormalities and 275 children without abnormalities in the region. The frequency of visualization, course, width, and factors (patient positioning, age, and sex) potentially influencing the appearance of paravertebral soft tissues were determined. Inferolateral course and width greater than that of the adjacent pedicle were evaluated as criteria for abnormality. RESULTS: Only 28% of the children without abnormalities had paravertebral soft tissues visualized, and the frequency of visualization directly increased with age (p = 0.001). For identification of abnormal cases on the left side, width greater than the adjacent pedicle had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 98%, and inferolateral course had a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 95%. Visualization on the right side (n = 5) was always abnormal. Six normal cases had a width greater than that of the adjacent pedicle on the left side on initial radiographs obtained with supine positioning and met normal criteria on repeated radiographs with upright positioning. CONCLUSION: Width greater than the adjacent pedicle is the best radiographic criterion for differentiation of abnormal from normal left-sided paravertebral soft tissues, particularly on radiographs obtained with upright positioning. Identifiable right-sided paravertebral soft tissue is always abnormal. These criteria are useful aids in determining the need for additional imaging, such as CT.

Adolescent↗