Biomedical subjects

Richard Pitcher

Publications and source records attributed to Richard Pitcher.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Multiple injuries diagnosed using full-body digital x-ray.

Missed injuries in patients with multiple trauma are primarily attributable to inadequate radiography. A case is presented that demonstrates the value of a full-body digital radiography system in diagnosing pathology in pediatric multiple trauma patients. Full-body imaging allowed the identification of a ruptured diaphragm, a pelvic fracture, and a femoral fracture on a single radiographic projection in the resuscitation room, facilitating immediate intervention.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed2006

Primary neuroblastoma: a rare cause of a retropharyngeal mass in a neonate.

Neuroblastoma is the most common extra-cranial solid malignancy in children and the most common tumour occurring during infancy. This tumour arises from undifferentiated precursor cells of the sympathetic nervous system. The abdomen (65 per cent) is the most common site for these tumours, followed by the throat (15 per cent), pelvis (5 per cent) and cervical region (5 per cent). We report a case of primary retropharyngeal neuroblastoma in a three-week-old baby boy presenting with upper airway obstruction.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMed2006

Clinical course of hospitalised children infected with human metapneumovirus and respiratory syncytial virus.

AIM: To describe the clinical presentation and outcomes of hospitalised patients infected with human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) in a tertiary hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. METHODS: hMPV was identified in 17 respiratory specimens submitted for viral studies during the period 2001-2003. These patients' medical folders were retrospectively reviewed for clinical, radiological and laboratory data, together with a convenience sample of 20 hRSV-infected patients. RESULTS: hMPV-infected patients were older than those infected with hRSV (P = 0.04) and required a longer hospital stay (P = 0.02). Presenting clinical signs and symptoms were similar between groups. Fourteen (87.5%) hMPV- and 16 (80%) hRSV-infected patients presented with co-morbid and/or immunosuppressive conditions (P > or = 0.5). The most common abnormalities on chest radiographs in both groups were bronchial wall thickening, focal consolidation and atelectasis. Six (37.5%) hMPV- and 11 (55%) hRSV-infected patients required admission to the paediatric intensive care unit (P > 0.1) with five (31.3%) hMPV- and eight (40%) hRSV-infected patients requiring intubation and ventilation (P > 0.5). Three (18.7%) hMPV-patients and three (15%) hRSV-infected patients died during this admission (P > 0.5). All hMPV-infected patients who died had significant co-morbid conditions. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm that hMPV is a significant respiratory pathogen in this setting, with similar presentation and outcome to hRSV infection. This is the largest report of hMPV infection causing significant morbidity, prolonged hospital stay and death, associated with underlying risk factors.

Age Distribution↗

PubMed2006