The value of the acoustic analysis of pathological infant cry and breathing noise in everyday practice

During a period of twenty years [1969-1988] the author has observed 614 cases of congenital malformations and noninflammatory diseases of the larynx in infants and young children, Budapest. He summarizes the most characteristic symptoms of laryngeal pathology in infants, and discusses the diagnostic possibilities. Among the latter, spectrographic analyses complemented by auditory evaluation of pathological cry and different breathing noises play an important role. Based on his investigation author differentiates 20 kinds of pathological crying sounds and 4 basic forms of stridor. He describes the acoustic attributes of different pathological sound phenomena and summarizes characteristic voice changes.     

Specific sensitization to common allergens and pulmonary function in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey

BACKGROUND: The role of atopy in the evolution to chronic obstructive disease remains controversial. AIM: We aimed to assess the association between individual sensitization to common allergens and lung function. METHOD: We analysed data from 12,687 subjects aged 20 to 44 years, from 34 centres in 15 countries participating in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS). Participants performed a blood test, lung function test, methacholine challenge, and answered an administered questionnaire. The relationships between specific IgE, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio were assessed for each study centre stratified by sex, followed by random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Asthmatics sensitized to house dust mite had a lower FEV1 (-119 mL in women and -112 mL in men) and FEV1/FVC ratio (-1.95%, and -2.48%) than asthmatics without sensitization. Asthmatics sensitized to cat had a lower FEV1 (statistically significant for women only) and a lower FEV1/FVC ratio. Asthmatic women sensitized to grass had a lower FEV1 and a lower ratio, and those sensitized to Cladosporium had a lower FEV1. A weak association was found with sensitization to cat and to Cladosporium among non-asthmatic women, which disappeared after adjusting for BHR. CONCLUSION: We conclude that atopy was related to a lower lung function, which was only apparent among asthmatics. This relationship was explained by specific sensitization to cat and to house dust mite, the latter being homogeneous across areas.     

SURGERY OF PERIURETERIC OBSTRUCTION IN 101 CHILDREN OVER ONE YEAR OF AGE

One hundred and one children over 1 year of age have had surgery for pelviureteric obstruction over an 11 year period. The common clinical features were abdominal pain, urinary infection or haematuria, but number presented as an incidental finding. Less commonly, the patients presented with an abdominal mass or with hypertension. The diagnosis was usually made on intravenous pyelography (IVP) but in the latter part of the series, renal nuclide scan (RNS) and ultrasonography (US) were preferred. Ninety–three patients had unilateral pyeloplasty, three had bilateral pyeloplasty and five had nephrectomy or heminephrectomy. Whereas initially nephrostomy drainage was used in the majority of patients after pyeloplasty, trend away from nephrostomy evolved in the latter part of the series. With experience, the incidence of postoperative complications was also reduced and there was reduction in the period of hospitalization. Clinical results were consistently satisfactory. Postoperative assessment after pyeloplasty was made by IVP and/or RNS and also US. A review of these investigations showed that RNS provided more factual information of the result when compared with the IVP.     

Acute renal failure as a result of bilateral ureteral obstruction by Candida albicans fungus balls

A 73-year-old male with a history of diabetes mellitus was admitted to our hospital for acute renal failure. An ultrasonogram revealed bilateral hydronephrosis, which worsened despite insertion of a bladder catheter. Nephrostomy catheters were positioned bilaterally, and Candida albicans was found in the urine culture. The patient was successfully treated with intermittent direct irrigation and i.v. antifungal agent therapy. Since 1977, approximately 50 cases of fungus balls or fungal bezoars in the urinary tract have been reported, but the majority of these cases have been characterized by unilateral ureteral or bladder involvement. Herein, we report a case of acute renal failure as a result of bilateral ureteral obstruction by Candida albicans fungus balls.     

Perugia urodynamic method of analysis (PUMA): a new advanced method of urodynamic analysis applied clinically and compared with other advanced methods.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to compare PUMA curves with different pathologic conditions causing bladder dysfunction in 158 men and 83 women. METHODS: PUMA results in terms of bladder outlet obstruction and detrusor contractility were compared in 92 men with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and p(ves) congruent with p(det) (i.e., p(abd) congruent with 0) with the results of the urodynamics operator's opinion, the provisional International Continence Society method, Abrams and Griffith's diagram, urethral resistence factor (URA), Sch?fer's diagram, and Watt factor. PUMA curves correlated reliably with different pathologic conditions such as obstructive BPH, orthotopic bladder, cystocele, the neurological bladder, and bladder diverticulum. Statistical analysis indicated excellent agreement between PUMA and URA; agreement with other methods was good in cases of obstruction and nonobstruction. In doubtful cases, as diagnosed by standard methods, PUMA agreed only with the Abrams and Griffith's diagram. PUMA and Wmax were in good agreement on detrusor con traction force. Agreement between PUMA and Sch?fer's diagram was excellent for patients with detrusor hypercontractility and good for patients with detrusor hypocontractility and normocontractility. PUMA is the only method applicable to women. It is easy to perform. When integrated with other diagnostic tests, it provides realistic data for diagnosis, medical or surgical therapy, and outcome.     

Lung function development in the first 2 yr of life is independent of allergic diseases by 2 yr

The aim of the study was to assess if lung function at birth predicts lung function at 2 yr and secondly, if lung function development was influenced by the common phenotypes of recurrent bronchial obstruction (rBO) or atopic eczema (AE) by 2 yr. Lung function was assessed at birth (n = 802) and at 2 yr within the prospective birth cohort study 'the Environment and Childhood Asthma Study' in Oslo. The 135 children with lung function measured at birth by tidal flow volume (TFV) loops and passive respiratory mechanics, who were included in a nested case-control study were reinvestigated at 2 yr with clinical examination, TFV loops (n = 90) (mean age 26.6 (3.7 s.d.) months), skin prick test and parental interview. Children were categorized into quartiles (lower, middle two, upper) according to time to peak tidal expiratory flow/total expiratory time (t(PTEF)/t(E)) at birth as well as clinical phenotype based on the presence of rBO and/or AE (ever) by 2 yr. The observed reduction in mean t(PTEF)/t(E) from birth to 2 yr within the quartiles, were not significantly different after controlling for 'regression to the mean'. t(PTEF)/t(E) at birth correlated significantly with t(PTEF)/t(E) at 2 yr, (r = 0.475, p < 0.001). Children with both rBO and AE by 2 yr had significantly lower t(PTEF)/t(E) at 2 yr (p = 0.002) and at birth (p = 0.027), compared with children with no rBO or AE. Clinical phenotype at 2 yr did not influence the change in t(PTEF)/t(E) from birth to 2 yr. This study demonstrates a clear tracking of lung function from birth, not influenced by rBO or AE by 2 yr.     

Incarcerated internal hernia of the small intestine through a breach of the broad ligament: two cases and a literature review.

Two cases of internal herniation through a defect in the broad ligament of the uterus are described. Both were successfully treated laparoscopically. This rare condition should be borne in mind when a middle-aged woman presents with colicky lower abdominal pain. The cause is unknown, but both congenital and acquired origins have been proposed. As far as emergency situations are concerned, laparoscopy has proven to be both a diagnostic and a therapeutic tool.