Search

Objectives: To describe a new sonographic feature of the C‐sign for prenatal diagnosis of jejunal atresia and evaluate its role in prenatal jejunal atresia, particularly preceding bowel dilatation and polyhydramnios. Methods: This was a retrospective study from a tertiary maternal hospital. Patients with prenatal sonographic examination and confirmed small bowel atresia postdelivery were included. All sonographic images were reviewed by two senior sonographers. Comparison of sonographic images between prenatal jejunal and ileal atresia using the C‐sign resembles the shape of the entire duodenum and other traditional sonographic features. The control group without bowel atresia was assessed for the presence of the C‐sign. Results: The C‐sign and combined bowel dilatation with polyhydramnios were more frequent in jejunal atresia than ileal atresia, but the C‐sign can be used to detect jejunal atresia earlier. The C‐sign can be more likely to diagnose jejunal atresia in persisting bowel dilatation and polyhydramnios. The C‐sign was not reported in any of the control fetuses. Conclusion: The C‐sign is a new sonographic feature that can be used to improve the prenatal accuracy and early detection of jejunal atresia. However, further prospective validation is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Campylobacter jejuni infection, traditionally a paediatric illness, is now seen more frequently in adolescents and adults in northern China. Published surveillance reports on C. jejuni infection in these patients are rare. We aimed to characterize (1) the clinical manifestations of this infection in adolescents and adults, and (2) changes in antibiotic resistance of the pathogen. Methods: We retrospectively examined 492 cases of C. jejuni infection in patients aged ≥ 14 y treated at the Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China, for the period January 1994 to December 2010. Results: The disease was more common in patients aged 14-24 y and in men (57.9%; p < 0.0001 vs women). The peak incidence was seen between May and October. The infection manifested with acute diarrhoea (< 10 bowel movements per day, loose or mucous stool), fever (mostly low grade), and abdominal cramps and pain. Faecal leukocytes and erythrocytes were demonstrated in, respectively, 90.9% and 79.3% of stool specimens, while leukocytes > 10 per high-power field were detected in 70.3%. In 1994-1998, 44.5% of C. jejuni strains were resistant to fluoroquinolone, 0% to gentamicin, and 0% to cefuroxime; in 2005-2010, resistance increased significantly to 97.9%, 16.7%, and 93.0%, respectively ( p < 0.0001). The resistance to erythromycin did not change significantly (3% vs 6.4%, p = 0.4). Conclusions: Manifestations of C. jejuni infection in adolescent and adult patients are similar to those in children. Over the 16-y study period, resistance of C. jejuni to fluoroquinolones, gentamicin, and cefuroxime significantly increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is a rare autosomal dominantly inherited disease characterized by mucocutaneous pigmentations and gastrointestinal polyps. The polyps are located predominantly in the small intestine and usually cause intussusceptions. Adult intussusception caused by Peutz-Jeghers syndrome occurs very rarely. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics, preoperative diagnosis, and surgical management of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome associated with acute intussusception in adult patients.Discussion: Consecutive patients with the postoperative diagnosis of acute intussusception caused by Peutz-Jeghers syndrome from 1995 to 2010 were reviewed retrospectively for this study. Data concerning clinical considerations, morphological examinations, and surgical procedure were analyzed. Different clinical manifestations were presented in patients with intussusception due to Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Computed tomography associated or not with ultrasonography may be the most accurate examination for acute intussusceptions caused by Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Surgical intervention is the first choice regimen in acute intussusceptions caused by Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Prophylaxis and polypectomy of the entire small bowel is a worthy way in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome patients to reduce the frequency of laparotomies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a survey of medical news as of April 25, 2015. Topics discussed include the difficulty experienced by palliative care patients and their families in determining the number of entities providing said care and the early occurrence of hidden pharmacological effects of neonatal drugs. People's recollection of pain following medical procedures using the example of colonoscopy as discussed in the book "Thinking, Fast and Slow" is also mentioned.