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Biomedical subjects

M Meradji

Publications and source records attributed to M Meradji.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Calcinosis cutis, osteoma cutis, poikiloderma and skeletal abnormalities (COPS syndrome)--a new entity?

A 4-year-old boy with subcutaneous tumours is described. These tumours were calcified and had secondary osteoma formation. In addition the patient showed poikiloderma on the face and less prominently on arms and legs. X-ray films of the distal metaphyses of the radius, ulna and tibia revealed irregular mineralisation. Repeated laboratory tests revealed no abnormalities of fat, bone and mineral metabolism. This patient showed a unique combination of symptoms. We propose to call this syndrome: COPS-syndrome (Calcinosis cutis, Osteoma cutis, Poikiloderma and Skeletal abnormalities).

Bone Neoplasms↗

Plain film diagnosis in meconium plug syndrome, meconium ileus and neonatal Hirschsprung's disease. A scoring system.

Abdominal plain films of 133 neonates, with 82 cases of meconium plug syndrome (MPS), 27 cases of meconium ileus (MI) and 24 cases of neonatal Hirschsprung's disease (HD), were reviewed to assess the value of such radiographs for diagnosis. The radiographs were examined according to a list of 11 parameters. By using multivariate discriminant analysis, it appeared that 4 parameters i.e. dilatation of bowel loops, varying loop calibre, fluid levels and colonic gas were most important in discriminating among the three disorders. For each parameter the weight (in points) was derived. To classify patients, three group-scores had to be calculated: the group-score with the largest value indicated the most likely disorder. So in 99%, 88% and 63% of MPS, HD and MI, respectively, an accurate diagnosis could be predicted. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 89%. Such a diagnosis can be a sound basis for further investigation.

Dilatation, Pathologic↗

Sinusitis: hidden source of sepsis in postoperative pediatric intensive care patients.

Paranasal sinusitis is reported as a complication of prolonged nasal intubation and the source of sepsis in adult intensive care patients. In surgical neonates with congenital malformations, prolonged intubation with a nasotracheal (NT) or NG tube is often necessary, but sinusitis with complicating sepsis is seldom reported. Sinus x-rays may confirm the diagnosis; in infancy, prolonged nasal intubation delays the pneumatization of the sinuses and the mastoids, resulting in additional diagnostic problems. In a 1-yr period, we saw three patients with multiple septic episodes in which the source of sepsis was undetectable. Despite the absence of clinical symptoms and radiologic evidence of sinusitis or mastoiditis, surgical drainage revealed pus and led to the disappearance of septic episodes and ear, nose, and throat problems. There is an association between prolonged NT and NG intubation, and sinusitis or mastoiditis as an unrecognized source of sepsis in young infants. Absence of radiologic evidence of sinusitis or mastoiditis causes pitfalls in diagnosis and is related to delayed pneumatization of the sinuses and the mastoid in prolonged nasal intubation in young infants.

Bacterial Infections↗

[Coxitis fugax. The sonographic and radiologic picture in 65 cases].

Sonography is a valuable technique for the detection of hip joint effusion in children with transient synovitis. In a retrospective study of 65 patients distension of the anterior recess was found to be increased by 2 mm or more in all patients investigated. A sonographic follow-up examination was carried out in 30 patients. These patients showed complete regression of hip effusion after 4 weeks. The importance of attention to sonographic changes of the adjacent bony outline and femoral head deformity in connection with other hip diseases is emphasized. In 45 patients in this study (62% of the cases) conventional radiography showed one or more indirect signs such as displacement, blurring or even obliteration of the fatty intermuscular planes or an increased joint space. In uncomplicated cases with clear sonographic and clinical findings a pelvic radiogram is unnecessary.

Adolescent↗

The effect of treatment with an LH-RH agonist (Buserelin) on gonadal activity growth and bone maturation in children with central precocious puberty.

Twenty-five children (23 girls and 2 boys) with central precocious puberty were treated with the LH-RH agonist D-Ser (TBU)6-LHRH (1-9) EA (HOE 766, Buserelin) by daily subcutaneous injection for a period of 11-18 months. Eight girls and 2 boys previously treated with cyproterone acetate (CPA, 100-150 mg/m2 body surface per day) and the first seven newly diagnosed patients received 2 X 10 micrograms Buserelin/kg bodyweight per day for 1 week, followed by a maintenance therapy of 1 X 10 micrograms/kg per day. After an initial marked increase, oestrogen (E2) serum levels in girls and testosterone (T) values in boys decreased. After a treatment period of 6-20 weeks the patients received 2 X 20 micrograms Buserelin/kg per day for 1 week and thereafter a maintenance dosage of 20 micrograms/kg per day to obtain full suppression (i.e. E2 less than 50 pmol/l; T less than 1 nmol/l). The remaining eight patients started directly on 2 X 20 micrograms Buserelin/kg per day followed by 1 X 20 micrograms/kg per day. All eight girls with menarche before therapy had no further menses. In all girls there was a reduction of palpable breast tissue. Decrease of pubic hair development was observed in 3 girls, an increase was seen in 5 girls, whereas in the remaining 15 girls no change was observed. Both boys had a reduction of testicular volume and of pubic hair.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bone Development↗

Hydrothorax, ascites, and right diaphragmatic hernia.

Hydrothorax and/or ascites may be the most striking finding in children with right diaphragmatic hernia. The clinical, radiographic, and pathologic findings of five children with right diaphragmatic defects through which the liver had herniated are described. Three presented with a right hydrothorax, one with a right hydrothorax and ascites, and another with ascites. All four children with large right hydrothoraxes were found to have an incarcerated peritoneal sac filled with fluid in the right side of the chest at surgery or autopsy. Lymphatic congestion and obstruction was the probable cause for the fluid collection, which tended to enlarge with time. This condition may be life threatening, and two of the four patients died soon after birth because of hypoplasia of the lungs. Fetal ultrasonography in both had disclosed right intrathoracic cystic masses, and in one, intrauterine aspiration to decompress the lungs had been attempted. The other two patients are alive and well following surgical repair at 1 week and 7 months of age. Ascites was present in two patients and was believed to be due to hepatic venous obstruction, a mechanism similar to that responsible for the Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Ascites↗

Tandem coarctation of the thoracic aorta with hypoplasia of the abdominal aorta.

After resection of the coarctation in a 3-year-old child with end-to-end anastomosis, a second membrane was found 1.5 cm lower. After a successful reoperation with an aortoplasty using Gore-Tex weak femoral pulses persisted. At catheterization, an area of irregular narrowing of the abdominal aorta just distal to the superior mesenteric artery was found with hypoplasia of the iliac and femoral arteries. In addition, this child had a two-sided cheilo-gnatho-palatoschisis, vesicoureteral reflux and absence of gall bladder and hepato-duodenal ligament. It is worthwhile considering that a second or third aortic abnormality can be hidden by a coarctation of the aorta.

Aorta, Abdominal↗

Cranial ultrasound in preterm infants: long term follow up.

One hundred and twenty nine high risk preterm infants (gestational ages 26-36 weeks, mean 31.2 weeks; birth weights 800-3880 g, mean 1490 g) were studied by cranial ultrasound during the neonatal period, over a period of one week to three months, and at the age of 1 year. Neonatal ultrasound scanning was performed with an ATL Mk III real time echoscope, and follow up ultrasound scans at the age of 1 were performed with an Octoson static compound scanner. The neonatal scans of 66 infants were abnormal. Cerebroventricular haemorrhages were detected in 53 infants and other lesions in 19, six of whom also had haemorrhages. Posthaemorrhagic changes developed in 30 infants. The follow up scans at 1 year were abnormal in 27 children. One large parenchymal cyst was detected. All 27 scans showed ventricular dilatations; 19 were asymmetrical. About 95% of the children with normal neonatal scans and 60% with abnormal neonatal scans had normal scans at 1 year. The size and shape of the ventricular system had changed in 20% of all infants. As no major changes were seen in the ultrasound images of those studied beyond the age of 2 months cranial ultrasound follow up in high risk preterm infants should therefore be continued until the age of 2-3 months; follow up beyond that age would only rarely be necessary.

Brain Diseases↗

Chest radiographs in cystic fibrosis. A follow-up study with application of a quantitative system.

A modified Chrispin-Norman score was used to investigate at what age typical X-ray signs of cystic fibrosis (CF) appear and for the follow-up of patient with CF. Scores of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) and with innocent heart murmurs were used for comparison. The findings were: 1. Hyperinflation and line shadows are early but not specific symptoms of CF. 2. Mottled and ring shadows can be considered as specific for CF. In most patients they only appear after the age of 3. They are never present in COLD. 3. The mean annual increase between the ages of 3--8 is 2 points. No difference existed between boys and girls in total scores and annual increase up to the age of puberty. 4. CF patients with portal hypertension have the same scores as CF patients without portal hypertension.

Adolescent↗