Biomedical subjects

Michael Ditchfield

Publications and source records attributed to Michael Ditchfield.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Facial infiltrative lipomatosis.

BACKGROUND: Although there are multiple case reports and small series concerning facial infiltrative lipomatosis, there is no composite radiological description of the condition. OBJECTIVE: Radiological evaluation of facial infiltrative lipomatosis using plain film, sonography, CT and MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We radiologically evaluated four patients with facial infiltrative lipomatosis. Initial plain radiographs of the face were acquired in all patients. Three children had an initial sonographic examination to evaluate the condition, followed by MRI. One child had a CT and then MRI. RESULTS: One child had abnormalities on plain radiographs. Sonographically, the lesions were seen as ill-defined heterogeneously hypoechoic areas with indistinct margins. On CT images, the lesions did not have a homogeneous fat density but showed some relatively more dense areas in deeper parts of the lesions. MRI provided better delineation of the exact extent of the process and characterization of facial infiltrative lipomatosis. CONCLUSION: Facial infiltrative lipomatosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis of vascular or lymphatic malformation when a child presents with unilateral facial swelling. MRI is the most useful single imaging modality to evaluate the condition, as it provides the best delineation of the exact extent of the process.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2006

Mucocele of the sphenoid sinus.

The sphenoid sinus is the least common site of mucocele of all paranasal sinuses. It is very rare in children, especially in those younger than 12 years when pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus is completed. We report a case of histologically proven sphenoidal mucocele in a 5-year-old child. The child presented with an acute onset of significant visual impairment and headache. His vision gradually improved after trans-nasal sphenoidotomy and drainage of the sinus content with return of complete normal baseline vision after 2 months.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed2006

Is significant cystic fibrosis-related liver disease a risk factor in the development of bone mineralization abnormalities?

In order to assess the effects of significant cystic fibrosis-related liver disease (CFLD) on bone health, we compared the bone mineral status of older children and adolescents with CFLD to those with cystic fibrosis (CF) alone. Thirteen children (age range, 10-19 years) from our clinical CF services were identified with significant CFLD (9 of these 13 patients had clinical and radiological evidence of portal hypertension). This cohort was then matched by age, gender, and anthropometric measurements with equal numbers of patients with CF alone. All patients had a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan to determine bone mineral content (BMC), bone area (BA), bone mineral density (BMD), and bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) in the region of the lumbar spine. Blood was drawn to determine serum vitamin A, D, E, and K status and liver function tests. The best forced expired volume in 1 sec (FEV1) for each patient in the 12 months around the time of the scan was also documented. Patients with CFLD had slightly worse FEV1 (82 +/- 20% vs. 91 +/- 16%, P = 0.05) and significantly higher alanine aminotransferase (65.5 +/- 35 IU/l vs. 30 +/- 20 IU/l, P = 0.01) than those with CF alone. The mean lumbar spine BA, BMC, BMD, and BMAD were not different between children with CFLD and CF. In conclusion, the presence of significant liver disease in children with CF does not appear to be an additional risk factor for the development of abnormal bone mineralization.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2006

Factor V Leiden mutation: a contributory factor for cerebral palsy?

Fifty-seven children with cerebral palsy (CP) and imaging evidence of vascular thrombosis (study group) and 167 children with CP and other imaging finds (control group)were selected. Sixty-one per cent of the study group were male and 53 (93%) had spastic hemiplegia compared with the control group, of whom 55% were male and 54 (32%) had a diagnosis of spastic hemiplegia. Mean age was 5 years 11 months (SD 5y 1mo) for the study group and 7 years 7 months (SD 4y 7mo) for the control group. Blood spots on Guthrie cards or buccal swabs were used to test both groups and their mothers for the factor V Leiden (fVL) mutation, which predisposes carriers to thrombophilia. Mothers were interviewed to gather antenatal, perinatal, demographic, and socio-economic data. The frequency of the fVL mutation in children with evidence of vascular thrombosis and their mothers was not statistically different from the frequency in children with CP with other imaging findings and their mothers. The frequency of the fVL mutation was significantly higher than the expected population frequency of 4% in the study group (10.5%, p=0.012) and in mothers of the control group (7.2%, p=0.036).

Birth Weight↗

PubMed2006

Segmental haemangioma of infancy of the lower limb with skeletal overgrowth.

A female infant presented at 3 months of age with vascular lesions involving the left lower limb and left side of the vulva. At birth, the left leg was thinner than the right, but equal in length. She had macular, reticulate, bluish discolouration covering most of the skin of the involved leg with superimposed cherry-red papules, most dense over the proximal portion. The macular component showed evidence of improvement within the first few months of life. Papular and nodular components over the leg and the vulva progressively increased in size and thickness until the age of 10 months. These elements had the appearance and behaviour typical of haemangioma of infancy. Regression of these lesions started at the age of 15 months. By the age of 6.5 months, the involved leg was no longer thinner than the right, but the left leg and foot had grown longer. Leg length discrepancy peaked at 2.4 cm at the age of 2 years. The most rapid phase of relative growth discrepancy of left and right leg bones was contemporaneous with the growth phase of the haemangioma. Radiological investigations and histopathology have been consistent with haemangioma of infancy. GLUT-1 immunostaining of the lesion was positive.

Female↗

PubMed2005

Surgical management of a pancreaticopleural fistula in a child with chronic pancreatitis.

Chronic pancreatitis in children rarely results in the development of a recalcitrant pleural effusion, secondary to a connection between the pleural cavity and the pancreas. We describe such a case and the curative surgical therapy and include a brief discussion of the relevant medical literature as it pertains to this complication in the pediatric population.

Child↗

PubMed2003

Major haemoptysis in children with cystic fibrosis: a 20-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Major haemoptysis occurs in approximately 1% of children with cystic fibrosis (CF). This report describes management and follow-up of these children at a tertiary centre in Australia. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records from 1980-1999. RESULTS: Fifty-one children (45% female) had major haemoptysis (102 episodes). Mean age at first episode was 15 years (range 7-19) and mean FEV(1) was 56% predicted (range 14-98). Massive life-threatening haemoptysis was not confined to those with severe lung disease (FEV1 < 50% predicted). Bronchial artery embolisation (BAE) was more likely to be the initial treatment for those with massive haemoptysis and chronic recurrent bleeding tended to be treated conservatively (P = 0.01). Overall, 52 BAE were performed in 28 children with an immediate success rate of 98%; 13 children (46%) had repeated BAE. Four patients died as a direct result of severe haemoptysis. Mean follow-up was 54 months (range 0.5-183). Median survival time (Kaplan-Meier estimate) after first haemoptysis was 70 months, with a significantly longer survival for male patients independent of age (RR 3.8; 95% CI 1.7-8.8; P = 0.001). Median survival time following initial treatment with BAE was longer (103 months) compared to conservative treatment (52 months, P = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Massive haemoptysis was unrelated to the severity of lung disease and was more likely to be treated with embolisation. BAE was highly effective, however, 46% of the children required re-embolisation at some time, which is similar to the recurrence risk for major hemoptysis treated conservatively on longer term follow-up.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis: clinical outcomes after more than five years of follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical outcomes of children with chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO). STUDY DESIGN: Inception cohorts of children with CRMO were established at two tertiary pediatric centers. Outcome data were obtained through review of hospital charts, interview and examination of patients, and completion of questionnaires by patients. RESULTS: Of 45 eligible subjects, 23 (51%) were assessed. Median time since diagnosis was 13 years (range, 6-25). At evaluation, 6 (26%) had active disease; 18 (78%) had Health Assessment Questionnaire scores of 0 (no/minimal physical disability), and 5 had scores >0. Some impairment was seen in all domains of measurement of quality-of-life test, especially those concerning nonphysical aspects of health. Six (26%) subjects continued to have pain as a result of CRMO. Associated medical problems included arthritis in 6, sacroiliitis in 3, psoriasis in 5, recurrent pustular rashes in 2, and inflammatory bowel disease in 3. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term clinical outcomes for children with CRMO appear to be generally good, with most subjects having no evidence of disease activity or sequelae. However, a number of subjects had persistent disease and, therefore, remain at risk of physical and psychologic complications. Further research is required to identify patients at risk for persistent disease, and to determine therapies that may prevent morbidity.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Bronchial artery embolization for hemoptysis in young patients with cystic fibrosis.

PURPOSE: To review the authors' 15-year experience with bronchial artery embolization (BAE) for treatment of hemoptysis in young patients with cystic fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By searching the 1985-1999 radiology database, the authors identified 23 young patients who had been referred to the radiology department for angiography. Twenty of these patients underwent BAE. The 23 medical records were retrospectively reviewed with regard to embolization agents used, embolization success rates, number of repeat embolizations, survival times, and causes of death. RESULTS: BAE was performed on 38 occasions in 20 patients. The mean age of patients at first BAE was 15 years (age range, 7-19 years). The majority (n = 34 [89%]) of BAEs were performed by using polyvinyl alcohol. The immediate success rate after BAE (ie, no recurrent bleeding within 24 hours) was 95% (36 of 38 BAEs). Eleven (55%) patients required more than one BAE, and the median time between first and second embolizations was 4 months (range, 5 days to 61 months). Three patients died as a consequence of severe hemoptysis during induction of anesthesia with intermittent positive pressure ventilation in preparation for BAE. The median survival duration after the first BAE (Kaplan-Meier estimate) was 84 months (average follow-up, 61 months; range, 5 days to 169 months). CONCLUSION: BAE had a high success rate for short-term control of bleeding; however, more than half the patients required repeat embolization during the long-term follow-up.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis: review of orthopaedic complications at maturity.

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a childhood, bone disorder causing bone pain, swelling, malaise, and fever. A study of 22 children with CRMO, treated at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, was reported previously. This present study reviews 8 of these, together with 4 additional patients. The patients were interviewed and examined by the first two authors, who had not been involved in their management. The patients were 9 females and 3 males, with a mean age of 22 years (16-31 years). Age at onset of symptoms was between 4 and 11 years and duration 2.5-20 years. Only 1 patient experienced difficulties in school and in maintaining a job. However, only 2 patients experienced complete resolution of symptoms. The number of affected sites was 2-9, most commonly ankle, knee, and clavicle. Seven patients have noticeable deformity. Five had leg-length inequality of at least 1.5 cm, one of whom, with shortening of 5.5 cm, has undergone a lengthening procedure. CRMO is not a benign condition and if not followed to maturity can have disabling sequelae.

Adolescent↗