Biomedical subjects
J Jarvis
Publications and source records attributed to J Jarvis.
Avascular necrosis of the radial head in children.
Avascular necrosis of the radial head is uncommon. A 20-year review of records at a Pediatric Trauma Center revealed eight cases of avascular necrosis of the radial head in children with an average of 10 years (range, 7-16 years). Symptoms of pain or restriction of elbow motion began at an average of 23 months after trauma in seven cases, and in one case, there was no history of trauma. Of the seven secondary to trauma, six resulted from a fall, and one from a torsional injury. The types of injuries associated with avascular necrosis of the radial head were two supracondylar fractures, a fracture of the lateral condyle, two fractures of the radius, a radial head dislocation that underwent a proximal radial osteotomy, and one with only an elbow contusion. The long-term results of radial head necrosis were poor, with three ultimately requiring radial head resection, and the remainder having considerable limitation of elbow motion. Loss of vascularity to the radial head is very analogous to avascular necrosis of the femoral head, with the late onset of incongruity, osteoarthritis, and hypertrophy of the head. It should be considered in any child with late-onset loss of elbow motion after trauma.
Cerebral microembolization during pediatric scoliosis surgery: a transcranial doppler study.
SUMMARY: The goal of this study was to identify cerebral microemboli during scoliosis surgery and their potential relationship with visual alterations. Transcranial Doppler identified high-intensity transient signals (HITS) during surgery in both middle cerebral arteries, and ophthalmologic examination assessed their potential effects on the visual system. Thirteen children (age 13-17 years) undergoing surgery for scoliosis or kyphosis with spine curvature >45 degrees were studied. HITS were identified in 92%. Eleven patients had a total count of <15 HITS, but in the remaining two the count was unexpectedly high (63 and 265 HITS). Echocardiography in these two patients indicated the presence of an atrial right-to-left shunt. Uneventful preoperative and postoperative visual function was found in 11 patients. One patient had preoperative blindness and in another ophthalmologic complications developed not related to microembolization. Scoliosis surgery is frequently associated with low counts of cerebral microemboli. It appears that such low embolic counts have no effects on postoperative visual function as determined clinically. Some patients may show high rates of microemboli, which may be related to the presence of right-to-left cardiac shunts. The impact of these signals on brain function remains to be investigated.
Osteomyelitis of the ischiopubic synchondrosis.
Infection of the ischiopubic synchondrosis (IPS) is a diagnostic dilemma. This article reviews four such cases. All patients complained of ipsilateral groin pain, were febrile, and had elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates. Initial radiographs were interpreted as normal but later showed increasingly lucent zones at the IPS. Radionuclide bone scans demonstrated diffusely increased uptake in the vicinity of the IPS. This contrasts with the discrete pattern seen with a normal IPS. Blood cultures were positive. Satisfactory outcomes were obtained with conservative treatment. Clinical presentation, laboratory results, radiographs, and bone scans must be correlated to distinguish this syndrome from a "normal radiologic variant".
Injuries caused by water tubing.
Water tubing (the pulling of an inner tube behind a power boat) is growing in popularity and unfortunately is becoming an increasing source of pediatric trauma. This is related to the lack of control of either the driver or the rider in directing the inner tube away from objects in the water or along the shore. Because of the severe trauma from this increasingly popular sport, we thought it appropriate to review our experience at a major pediatric trauma center to draw attention to this increasing cause of injury in children and to develop guidelines to reduce such injuries. A retrospective review of children admitted over a 10-year period revealed eight children who required admission to hospital for injuries sustained in water tubing. Five patients sustained fractures, one a splenic contusion, and two atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation. A set of safety guidelines for water tubing has been developed in an attempt to minimize the dangers to children who wish to pursue this sport.