Biomedical subjects

S K Fernbach

Publications and source records attributed to S K Fernbach.

77 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1981

Avulsion injuries of the pelvis and proximal femur.

Twenty cases of avulsion fractures of the apophyses of the pelvis and proximal femur were reviewed. Most occurred in male adolescents engaged in active sports. Pain, often with little external evidence of trauma, was the most frequent presenting symptom. Conservative, nonsurgical treatment was successful in all the patients. The radiographic appearance of each type of apophyseal injury is demonstrated. Recognition of the initial deformity and of the patterns of repair is important to avoid unnecessary evaluation (tomography, radionuclide scans) and inappropriate therapy. While productive changes with healing are most likely to occur in the region of the ischium, any of the other sites may heal with abundant bone and may mimic neoplasm. In the proper clinical setting, bony changes at these sites should prompt the radiologist to consider a traumatic etiology.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1981

Growth acceleration following renal transplantation in children less than 7 years of age.

Of 110 consecutive renal allografts performed at Children's Hospital Medical Center 12 were in 11 patients aged 3 to 7 years. Patient and graft survival and linear growth were evaluated in these 11 children. All 11 are surviving, seven (64%) with functioning allografts 12 to 92 months after transplant. Six of these seven have normal renal function (on alternate day prednisone dose less than 0.7 mg/kg every two days plus daily azathioprine) and all seven have shown catch-up growth, reaching and maintaining normal height for age. An eighth patient, now returned to dialysis, grew from below the third percentile at age 3 years to the 25th percentile at age 8 years, after which renal function deteriorated. Three patients rapidly rejected allografts and have had decreased growth velocity for age. In contrast, although many of the remaining 76 patients who received 98 transplants after age 7 years are growing, none showed accelerated linear growth sufficient to catch up if below the third percentile for age or to cross centile lines if above. Neither the degree of pretransplant bone age retardation nor steroid dose per kilogram accounted for lack of growth acceleration of those more than 7 years of age. Despite small sample size, the growth of renal transplant recipients less than 7 years of age suggests that they are good, and in some ways, favored transplant candidates.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ureteral duplication and its complications.

Duplication of the ureters is a common anomaly and is frequently encountered by radiologists. Duplication may be either complete or incomplete and is often accompanied by various complications. Incomplete duplication is most often associated with ureteroureteral reflux or ureteropelvic junction obstruction of the lower pole of the kidney. Complete duplication is most often associated with vesicoureteral reflux, ectopic ureterocele, or ectopic ureteral insertion, all of which are more common in girls than in boys. Vesicoureteral reflux affects the lower pole and can be outgrown, as in nonduplicated systems. Ectopic ureterocele and ectopic ureteral insertion affect the upper pole. The ectopic ureterocele produces a filling defect of variable size in the bladder; it can be identified with contrast material studies or ultrasound. Ectopic ureters may function poorly, be difficult to detect, and cause enuresis in girls. A fourth complication, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, occurs only in the lower pole and is seen in more boys than girls. Anatomic variants or anomalies as well as suboptimal imaging techniques can either simulate or obscure duplication, making diagnosis difficult. However, familiarity with the embryology of duplication and an awareness of the potential pitfalls of excretory urography and voiding cystourethrography will foster an understanding of the varied appearances and associated complications of both incomplete and complete duplication.

Diagnostic Imaging↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pediatric voiding cystourethrography: a pictorial guide.

Voiding cystourethrography is commonly performed in children with prenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis, urinary tract infections, and voiding abnormalities. Voiding cystourethrography can be performed with many variations designed to optimize visualization of disease and minimize radiation exposure. The procedure should include assessment of the spine and pelvis; masses or opaque calculi; bladder capacity, contour, and emptying capability; presence and grade of reflux; and urethral appearance. Radiologists differ as to whether the patient should void prior to catheterization. Anteroposterior imaging of the bladder is performed during early filling; little or no imaging is necessary during intermediate filling. When bladder filling is complete, steep oblique images that are centered on the ureterovesical junction should be obtained. If reflux is observed, the ipsilateral renal fossa may be imaged prior to voiding. With a smaller than expected voiding volume, bladder refilling is recommended. Voiding around the catheter is also strongly recommended. In girls, one anteroposterior image of the urethra is usually sufficient; in boys, the entire urethra must be imaged. Steep oblique imaging is optimal. At the conclusion of voiding, each renal fossa should be imaged to detect reflux missed at fluoroscopy as well as other anomalies. Familiarity with these abnormalities and use of proper techniques will allow detection of most common pathologic conditions with very low radiation exposure.

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Sonographic evaluation of caudal spine anomalies in children.

Retrospective analysis of B-mode spinal sonography in 15 pediatric patients with spinal dysraphism and caudal anomalies documents a high degree of accuracy in identifying the presence, site, size, and configuration of meningoceles; and slightly less accuracy in identifying extension of neural tissue into the meningocele and presence of concurrent lipoma. B-mode sonography is capable of displaying spinal anatomy clearly enough to permit accurate retrospective interpretation of pathologic changes. When radiologists learn to interpret sonographic images well enough to achieve equal accuracy in prospective diagnosis, then B-mode spinal sonography will supplant computed tomography and myelography as the preferred screening procedure in the initial evaluation of children with selected anomalies of the caudal spine.

Child↗