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Biomedical subjects

M A Sargent

Publications and source records attributed to M A Sargent.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Observer variability in the sonographic measurement of renal length in childhood.

The intra- and interobserver variability of the measurement of renal length in an unselected series of children attending for renal tract ultrasound were estimated using a standard technique and test-retest protocol. The standard errors of measurement were calculated and the limits of agreement derived. The results indicate that for normal kidneys there is a 95% probability that a second measurement by one observer will be within 4.6 mm of his first reading. Similarly, a single measurement will be within 7.8 mm of a reading by a second examiner. For abnormal kidneys in this series the intraobserver variability was similar to normal kidneys but interobserver variability was greater. Observer error in the measurement of renal length is equivalent to between 2 and 3 years normal growth for children older than 1 year.

Adolescent↗

Infradiaphragmatic pulmonary sequestration.

The authors describe two patients with intra-abdominal pulmonary sequestration presenting as a suprarenal mass in antenatal ultrasonography (US) images. In both cases the suprarenal mass was echogenic, and in one the mass also contained small hypoechoic areas. US and computed tomography performed after birth demonstrated feeding vessels in the suprarenal mass of one neonate; colour-flow Doppler US demonstrated the smaller feeding vessels to greater advantage.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Are hydrostatic and pneumatic methods of intussusception reduction comparable?

The hydrostatic pressures and flow rates of barium sulphate and water soluble contrast in concentrations representative of those used for intussusception reduction were measured. The change of height with discharge of fluid from the filled kit was also assessed. A group of experienced paediatric radiologists and radiographers significantly underestimated the height to which contrast should be placed for intussusception reduction. The results indicate that baseline hydrostatic reduction pressures tend to be less and maximum pressures significantly less than those presently advocated for pneumatic reduction. This disparity may account for the apparent improvement in intussusception reduction rates reported for air enema when compared with barium enema. Intraluminal pressure monitoring during contrast enema would aid control of intussusception reduction but hydrostatic reduction would still be at a disadvantage because of lower flow rates. Where hydrostatic reduction is performed, the contrast density and height used should be set to give known pressure, according to local guidelines.

Barium Sulfate↗

Subcutaneous or intramuscular insulin injections.

To find out whether diabetic children may inject their insulin intramuscularly rather than subcutaneously, a random sample of 32 patients aged 4.3-17.9 (median 11.3) years was studied. Distance from skin to muscle fascia was measured by ultrasonography at standard injection sites on the outer arm, anterior and lateral thigh, abdomen, buttock, and calf. Distances were greater in girls (n = 15) than in boys (n = 17). Whereas in most boys the distances were less than the length of the needle (12.5 mm) at all sites except the buttock, in most girls, the distances were greater than 12.5 mm except over the calf. Over the fascial plane just lateral to the rectus muscle the distance from skin to peritoneum was less than 12.5 mm in 14 of the 17 boys and one of the 15 girls. Twenty five of the 32 children injected at an angle of 90 degrees, and 24 children raised a skinfold before injecting. By raising a skinfold over the anterior thigh, the distance from skin to muscle fascia was increased by 19% (range 0-38%). We conclude that most boys and some girls who use the perpendicular injection technique may often inject insulin into muscle, and perhaps on occasions into the peritoneal cavity.

Adolescent↗

Bone cysts and haemodialysis-related amyloidosis.

Carpal tunnel syndrome and arthropathy are frequent complications of long-term haemodialysis. Both are associated with cystic lesions of bone and are related to synovioarticular deposition of a new type of amyloid derived from circulating beta 2-microglobulin. Retrospective analysis of the radiographic skeletal surveys of all 58 patients on haemodialysis for 6 or more years revealed one or more cystic bone lesions in 36% of patients. Radiographic analysis indicated that a number of these cysts were due to hyperparathyroid bone disease or joint degeneration, but a majority showed features suggesting an arthropathy of another aetiology. We present evidence that the development of these latter cysts in an individual on long-term dialysis is an indicator of the presence of synovioarticular amyloidosis of the beta 2-microglobulin type. The radiographic characteristics and development of these cysts, which we believe are due to bony infiltration from synovioarticular amyloid are described.

Adult↗

Anemia secondary to combined deficiencies of iron and cobalamin.

The focus of attention on combined-deficiency anemia is often on concurrent deficiencies of cobalamin (vitamin B12) and folate, emphasizing the correction of megaloblastic changes with folate alone and risking neurologic sequelae of uncorrected simultaneous cobalamin deficiency. Simultaneous deficiencies of cobalamin and iron, however, may be a more common cause of combined-deficiency anemia. Variability in red blood cell morphologic characteristics in this setting reflects the relative degree of deficiency of each of these substrates. A patient with combined cobalamin and iron deficiency anemia with microcytic, hypochromic indices and the absence of hypersegmented neutrophils was treated. This case and the literature reviewed emphasize the need to consider combined-deficiency states in all cases of anemia.

Adult↗

Congenital ocular motor apraxia: imaging findings.

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency of cerebellar and cerebral abnormalities on brain imaging studies in children with congenital ocular motor apraxia. METHODS: Brain imaging studies were performed in 19 children with typical congenital ocular motor apraxia who were in the care of a visual impairment program at a children's hospital. Independent clinical review categorized the subjects as having partial (n = 10) or expanded (n = 9) congenital ocular motor apraxia on the basis of extent of associated speech or neurodevelopmental problems. Fifteen CT studies and 13 MR examinations of the brain performed in these children were reviewed independently by two pediatric neuroradiologists. Radiologic findings were agreed on by consensus. RESULTS: Cerebellar abnormalities were found in 12 of 19 cases. The cerebellar vermis was small in 10 children. A small cerebellar vermis was the only abnormality in five of 10 children with partial congenital ocular motor apraxia and in two of nine children with expanded congenital ocular motor apraxia. Among seven children with a small vermis examined with high-resolution MR imaging, the inferior portion of the vermis was preferentially involved in each case. Of these seven subjects, none of four with partial congenital ocular motor apraxia but two of three with expanded congenital ocular motor apraxia had an abnormality of the superior portion of the vermis. Miscellaneous supratentorial lesions affecting both gray and white matter were found in six subjects. Five of the 19 children had normal imaging findings. CONCLUSION: Inferior vermian hypoplasia is the most common abnormality in children with congenital ocular motor apraxia.

Apraxias↗