1/13. Foreign body ingestion in children with severe developmental disabilities: a case study.Dysphagia is common in children with severe developmental disabilities. The nature of these difficulties can predispose them to foreign body ingestion. This article presents a case that highlights the need for vigilance in diagnosing dysphagia in children with multiple and complex developmental disabilities where severe cognitive impairment and an inability to communicate may mask the presence of underlying problems.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/13. Columnar-lined lower esophagus: an acquired lesion with malignant predisposition. Report on 140 cases of Barrett's esophagus with 12 adenocarcinomas.The analysis of a series of 1,225 cases of reflux esophagitis shows the serious nature of this condition. A liberal use of antireflux operations therefore seems justified. Extensive columnar metaplasia of the distal esophagus, or columnar-lined lower esophagus (CLLE), represents a late irreversible stage of reflux esophagitis. Repeated esophagoscopies demonstrate the acquired nature of the lesion. It is caused by the progressive healing, from below upward, of peptic ulcerations on the squamous epithelium by metaplasia of columnar mucosa. Antireflux operations stop the progressive ascent of heterotopic epithelium and thus stabilize reflux esophagitis and cure complications such as ulcerations and strictures. The premalignant character of this condition is established by a 10 per cent incidence of adenocarcinomas in a series of 140 cases of extensive columnar metaplasia. The transition toward malignancy seems to be irreversible and cannot be arrested by an antireflux operation. Therefore, repeated esophagoscopic controls and biopsies are an absolute necessity in all cases of extensive columnar metaplasia, even after cure of active reflux esophagitis by Nissen fundoplication.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/13. Spontaneous resolution of a superior mesenteric vein thrombosis after laparoscopic nissen fundoplication.A previously fit 37-year-old man developed superior mesenteric venous thrombosis after undergoing a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Despite receiving thrombo-embolic prophylaxis on postoperative day 16, he presented with a gradual onset of vague, but severe, umbilical and epigastric pains. Laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasound scan and gastroscopy were all unremarkable. Contrast enhanced abdominal spiral computerised tomography (CT) revealed a partial occlusion of the superior mesenteric and portal vein due to a thrombus; abnormal flow was confirmed on colour Doppler ultrasound. A predisposing hyper-coagulable condition was excluded. The patient responded rapidly to expectant management and a repeat spiral CT scan, 3 weeks after the initial presentation, demonstrated complete re-canalisation of the vessel. Although rare, superior mesenteric venous thrombosis is probably underdiagnosed due to the vague nature of the symptoms, the lack of clinical signs, a low index of suspicion on the part of the clinician, and then subsequent failure to request the optimal investigation--namely contrast enhanced abdominal spiral CT scan. We discuss the possible mechanisms by which laparoscopic surgery may increase the risks of developing superior mesenteric venous thrombosis, the pitfalls in diagnosis and treatment options.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/13. Partial regression of childhood Barrett's esophagus after fundoplication.A 12-yr-old boy presented with Barrett's esophagus, the nature and extent of which were thoroughly documented with multiple endoscopic biopsies. He had an excellent symptomatic response to antireflux surgery. Radiologic studies, esophageal manometry, and intraesophageal pH studies were performed before surgery and at intervals thereafter, and documented the success of antireflux surgery. Within 2 yr of surgery, there was endoscopic and histologic evidence of squamous regression of columnar mucosa, and this process of regression to squamous epithelium continued over a further 3 yr. This case suggests that partial squamous regression of Barrett's esophagus may occur in children. Studies dealing with regression are reviewed and proposals are made for a standardized approach to its documentation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/13. Early oral sensory experiences and feeding development in children with charge syndrome: a report of five cases.Children with charge syndrome commonly experience feeding and swallowing problems. Difficulties may be associated with congenital structural anomalies, motor impairment, and/or oral sensory impairment. For many children with charge syndrome, the introduction of functional oral feeding is delayed and there are often long-term feeding complications. Oral aversion or defensiveness is a frequent serious issue; however, it is uncertain whether this is a primary sensory disorder or secondary to delayed and/or negative oral sensory and feeding experiences. This article examines in detail the early oral sensory and feeding experiences of five children with charge syndrome, through a review of medical records and caregiver questionnaires. Findings indicate variable early oral sensory experiences in this group of children, with all of the children having some difficulty or delay in the development of oral feeding and swallowing. The nature of these difficulties and the potential contributory factors are discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/13. gastroesophageal reflux disease in an 8-year-old boy: a case study.OBJECTIVE: To present the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease found in a pediatric patient, to discuss the importance of a detailed case history, and to bring forward some of the most important clues, both verbal and nonverbal, that can lead to the diagnosis. CLINICAL FEATURES: An 8-year-old boy was brought to a chiropractic clinic by his mother complaining of headache and neck pain. Based on the history and physical examination, a diagnosis of cervicogenic headache was made. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Treatment consisted of chiropractic manipulation of the upper cervical spine in combination with cranial treatment was applied in addition to dietary advice. The headache returned and the patient was then referred to a colleague for a second opinion. Based on a detailed history, gastroesophageal reflux disease was diagnosed and the patient was referred to a specialist for suitable treatment. CONCLUSION: Because of the position as first-line health practitioners, it is inevitable that doctors of chiropractic will be faced with complaints of a nonbiomechanical nature. It is important to recognize conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux, at an early stage and to refer appropriately.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/13. barrett esophagus: reticular pattern of the mucosa.barrett esophagus is an acquired condition with progressive columnar metaplasia of the esophagus due to chronic reflux esophagitis. The premalignant nature of this entity is well recognized. However, radiologic diagnosis has been limited by the nonspecificity of findings associated with the condition. We recently reviewed 29 cases of pathologically proved barrett esophagus. Radiologic examinations revealed hiatal hernias, gastroesophageal reflux, esophagitis, and strictures. None of these findings are diagnostic of barrett esophagus. In seven cases, however, double-contrast radiography also revealed a delicate reticular pattern in the esophagus. In all but one case, there was an adjacent stricture, and this reticular appearance extended distally a short but variable distance from the stricture. To our knowledge, this unusual reticular pattern has not been described previously, and it represents a valuable radiologic sign of barrett esophagus. The etiology of this finding is uncertain, but correlation with the gross surgical specimen in one case suggests that it results specifically from areas of "villous" metaplasia in Barrett epithelium. This delicate reticular pattern appears to be a specific radiologic criterion for the diagnosis of barrett esophagus.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/13. Functional vomiting disorders in infancy: innocent vomiting, nervous vomiting, and infant rumination syndrome.Pediatric gastroenterologists have tended to view gastroesophageal reflux (GER) as a disease in and of itself--a disease that can be diagnosed "objectively" with use of numerical data from esophageal ph monitoring and cured with pharmacologic or surgical treatment. What is often forgotten is that the data derived from esophageal ph monitoring and other techniques may identify the presence of abnormal GER but tell nothing about its pathogenesis. The usual approach to infants who feed poorly, vomit, or fail to gain weight is to identify the presence of abnormal GER, rule out underlying organic causes of vomiting, and then diagnosis primary GER disease. The baby is then treated with pharmacologic, dietary, or positional therapy and, ultimately, if these therapies fail to eradicate the symptoms attributed to GER, surgical fundoplication, which stops vomiting regardless of its causes. The pediatric literature on infant vomiting and GER is almost devoid of research into the nature and possible relationships among infant stress, vomiting, feeding difficulties, and failure to grow. Clinically, the quality of the maternal-infant relationship is frequently approached superficially, with psychosocial aspects treated as less important in infants considered to have primary organic disease amenable to medical or surgical treatment. Psychosocial factors in the pathogenesis of the infant's symptoms are often not pursued beyond assessment for possible abuse or neglect. It has been known for centuries that stress or excitement affects gastrointestinal function and symptoms. Although the field of infant psychiatry has produced a substantial literature on the nature of stresses that affect both infants and mothers, the pediatric literature on vomiting and failure to thrive seldom acknowledges the existence or importance of these contributions. In clinical practice, failure to explore psychosocial aspects that may contribute to vomiting, feeding difficulties, or failure to thrive may result in missed opportunities for less invasive, more effective therapy at best, and countertherapeutic treatment at worst. This article describes three functional vomiting disorders of infancy, their distinguishing characteristics, hypotheses regarding their pathogenesis, and principles of comprehensive management.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/13. Barrett's esophagus in children with cystic fibrosis: not a coincidental association.Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a premalignant condition, and a recognized complication of severe gastroesophageal (GE) reflux. Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) have a marked predilection to develop GE reflux, but Barrett's esophagus is one complication of GE reflux not previously described in CF. We describe in detail two adolescents with CF who were found to have Barrett's esophagus, and mention three other cases. The presence of Barrett's esophagus in CF patients may be missed because GE reflux is often relatively silent in CF, because patients may consider mild upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms as "part of CF," and because of the nature of Barrett's epithelium itself. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy with documentation of landmarks and multiple targeted biopsies should be performed in children with CF with even mild symptoms of GE reflux or an abnormal 24 h intra-esophageal pH study. Any biopsies containing columnar epithelium should be stained with alcian blue at pH 2.5 to look for goblet cell metaplasia, i.e., Barrett's esophagus. Children with CF may be a high-risk group for development of Barrett's esophagus and its complications, especially given the increased survival in CF.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/13. Respiratory manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease in pediatric patients.Respiratory manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being recognized with increasing frequency. We present the evaluation and management of four infants and children with unusual respiratory symptoms attributed to GERD. The advantages and disadvantages of diagnostic studies of GERD are discussed, and an evaluation and treatment protocol is presented. Treatment must be tailored to the nature and severity of the patient's presenting symptoms and includes conservative, pharmacologic, and/or surgical management.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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