Publications by authors named "Bar-Ziv J"

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pnc) serotypes differ in invasive potential. We examined whether community-acquired alveolar pneumonia (CAAP) in children carrying commonly recognized pneumonia invasive pneumococcal serotypes ([PnIST] 1, 5, 7F, 14, and 19A) differs from CAAP in children carrying less invasive serotypes (non-PnIST) or no Pnc (Pnc-neg).

Methods: Children <5 years, visiting the only regional Pediatric Emergency Room, with radiologically proven CAAP were enrolled.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Community-acquired alveolar pneumonia (CAAP) is considered a bacterial disease, mainly pneumococcal. CAAP rates markedly declined following 7- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) introductions worldwide. In contrast, non-CAAP lower respiratory tract infections (NA-LRIs) are generally not considered pneumococcal diseases.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: Assess the prevalence of neoplasia ≥6 mm at repeat CT colonoscopy (CTC) in individuals with no significant lesions at baseline.

Methods: Individuals aged ≥18 years, with/without CRC risk factors, with no polyps ≥6 mm on baseline CTC (negative baseline) who underwent repeat CTC in a large HMO from 2001 to 2011 were retrospectively identified. Studies were reviewed by board-certified radiologists with experience interpreting CTC.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Respiratory viruses and Streptococcus pneumoniae are known to be copathogens in childhood pneumonia. However, it is unclear whether all pneumococcal serotypes are equally prone to such interaction. We attempted to determine association between carried pneumococcal serotypes and respiratory viruses during childhood community-acquired alveolar pneumonia (CAAP).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: We compared hospitalization and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission rates for community-acquired alveolar pneumonia (CAAP) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated CAAP (RSV-CAAP) in non-RSV-immunized children <24-month-old born at 31-36 weeks gestational age (GA) versus those born at term (>36 weeks GA).

Methods: Nasopharyngeal samples for RSV were obtained prospectively (2004-2011) during RSV season, from hospitalized children with radiographic-diagnosed CAAP. Soroka University Medical Center is the only hospital in the region, enabling population-based rate calculation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Studies on short-course treatment of childhood pneumonia in the developed world are lacking. We compared clinical and laboratory outcomes of a 3-day or a 5-day to a 10-day treatment in young children with community-acquired alveolar pneumonia.

Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 2 stages: (1) 3 days versus 10 days and (2) 5 days versus 10 days.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Postlicensure surveillance of pneumonia incidence can be used to estimate whether pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) affect incidence. We used Poisson regression models that control for baseline seasonality to determine the impact of PCVs and the possible effects of variations in virus activity in Israel on these surveillance estimates. PCV was associated with significant declines in radiologically confirmed alveolar pneumonia (RCAP) among patients <6 months, 6-17 months, and 18-35 months of age (-31% [95% CI -51% to -15%], -41% [95% CI -52 to -32%], and -34% [95% CI -42% to -25%], respectively).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Data are scarce with regard to risk factors for acute community-acquired alveolar pneumonia (CAAP) in children, but it is known that children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) experience more respiratory infections. We aimed to assess whether SDB is a risk factor for CAAP in early childhood.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, nested, case-control study assessing children < 5 years old who had been given a diagnosis of CAAP based on World Health Organization radiographic criteria.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Unlabelled: Our objective was to compare the inter-observer level of agreement in diagnosing pneumonia using the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for the interpretation of radiographs. We conducted a prospective study in a pediatric emergency room. Fifteen observers (13 pediatricians, 2 radiologists) interpreted 200 pediatric (<5 years old) chest radiographs using the WHO guidelines.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia, short limb-abnormal calcifications type (SEMD, SL-AC) is a rare autosomal recessive condition with a grave prognosis.

Objective: We aimed to describe the progression of symptoms from fetal age to adolescence in SMED, SL-AC patients.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated radiological findings on plain films, CT and MRI for eight children with genetically proven SEMD (male:female ratio 4:4, ages 30-week fetus to 18 years) and summarized findings from case reports and case series in the literature.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: We aimed at estimating pneumococcal serotype-specific disease potential in pediatric community-acquired alveolar pneumonia (CAAP), by comparing nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage during disease to carriage in healthy children.

Methods: Pneumococcal nasopharyngeal cultures were obtained from children < 5 years old admitted to the emergency room or hospitalized with radiologically diagnosed CAAP and from healthy controls. Disease potential was estimated by calculating serotype-specific odds ratios (OR) of a given serotype to be carried during disease compared with healthy children (after adjustment for age, ethnicity, previous antibiotic therapy, and season).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: To assess the diagnostic value of the chest radiograph for the diagnosis of pneumonia in bedridden patients, using non-contrast-enhanced high-resolution chest computed tomography (CT) as the gold standard.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated bedridden patients hospitalized with moderate to high clinical probability of pneumonia. Chest radiographs were interpreted in a blinded fashion by 3 observers and classified as definite, normal, or uncertain for pneumonia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: To determine the involvement of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in childhood community-acquired alveolar pneumonia (CAAP) and compare the demographic, clinical, and laboratory features of HMPV-associated CAAP and CAAP associated with other respiratory viruses.

Study Design: Nasopharyngeal wash specimens obtained prospectively over a 4-year period from children age < 5 years evaluated in the emergency department with radiologically diagnosed CAAP and from healthy controls were tested for HMPV by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, influenza and parainfluenza viruses by direct immunofluorescence and culture.

Results: HMPV was detected in 108 of 1296 patients (8.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the effect of the order of positions on sustained rectal pressure and factors affecting pain perceived by patients during air-insufflated CT colonography.

Subjects And Methods: Rectal pressure was measured in the supine and prone positions for CT colonography of 379 patients in two groups. One hundred seventy-seven patients underwent imaging supine and then prone, and 202 patients were prone and then supine.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Lumbar epidural varices either primary or secondary to outflow obstruction have been implicated in causing lumbar radiculopathy. We report a case of an adolescent male who presented with lumbar radiculopathy attributable to thrombosed lumbar epidural varix as a result of inferior vena cava thrombosis emanating from factor V Leiden mutation. This rare cause of radiculopathy was diagnosed on contrast-enhanced computerized tomography.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

CT colonography (CTC) and conventional colonoscopy may have similar efficacy for detection of polyps > 6 mm. Perforation of the colon and rectum is a relatively rare, but potentially morbid complication of CTC, especially in symptomatic patients. Older age and underlying concomitant colon pathology increase the risk of perforation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: To assess retrospectively the incidence, clinical features, and treatment of colonic perforation at computed tomographic (CT) colonography in a large multicenter cohort.

Materials And Methods: The study was performed in accordance with the institutional ethics committees' requirements of a retrospective review in each of the participating centers, and no informed consent was required. A review of all patients who underwent CT colonography between January 2001 and December 2004 in 11 medical centers representing more than 95% of studies performed in a single country was performed to determine the rate of colorectal perforation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the applicability of an annual low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening program for lung cancer in a single institution in Israel, which has a relatively lower prevalence of lung cancer compared with other Western countries, and to examine stage distribution of detected lung cancers.

Patients And Methods: A cohort of 842 former and current smokers underwent baseline low-dose CT screening and a total of 942 annual repeat screenings over a period of 68 months. The definition of positive results on baseline and repeat screening and their diagnostic workup were guided by the common International Early Lung Cancer Action Program protocol.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Community-acquired alveolar pneumonia (CAAP) is typically associated with bacterial infections and is especially prevalent in vulnerable populations worldwide. The authors studied nutritional status and diarrheal history as risk factors for CAAP in Bedouin children <5 years of age living in Israel. In this prospective case-control study (2001-2002), 334 children with radiographically confirmed CAAP were compared with 529 controls without pneumonia with regard to nutritional status and diarrhea history.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This review focuses on the detection of extracolonic findings at CT colonography (CTC). Since its introduction, it has been regarded as a promising alternative to conventional colonoscopy for the detection of colorectal polyps and cancers. Unlike conventional colonoscopy and barium enema, CTC allows evaluation not only of the colon but also visualization of the lung bases, the abdomen, and the pelvis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Hemangiomas of the airways in infants are commonly diagnosed at bronchoscopy performed for the investigation of stridor or other respiratory symptoms. Occasionally on bronchoscopy the appearances are atypical or the entire extent of the suspected hemangioma cannot be appreciated. We report on the clinical usefulness of dynamic contrast-enhanced CT in the evaluation of suspected hemangiomas of the airways in infants.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

CT-guided excision of osteoid osteoma is a new surgical technique that enables accurate resection of the nidus during 1-day hospitalization. We present 5-year results in 42 patients (26 males and 16 females, mean age 18 years, range 3-46). In 40 out of 42, complaints disappeared immediately after the procedure.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Behçet disease is a multisystemic and chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown cause that is characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcerations, ocular manifestations, and additional clinical manifestations in multiple organ systems. Behçet disease involving the chest can manifest as a wide spectrum of abnormalities. Although conventional chest radiography is commonly used for initial assessment, spiral computed tomography can demonstrate the entire spectrum of thoracic manifestations of Behçet disease, including abnormalities of the vessel lumen and wall, perivascular tissues, lung parenchyma, pleura, and mediastinal structures.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF