Optimization of Patient Positioning for the Sonographic Evaluation of Gallstone Impaction: Analysis of Gallbladder Orientation Based on Computed Tomography.

An important sonographic sign of cholecystitis is stone impaction in the gallbladder neck. Demonstration of stone mobility excludes impaction. The purpose of this study is to analyze the orientation of the gallbladder on computed tomography and determine the patient position most likely to facilitate stone mobility.

Morbidity and mortality in severely burned children with Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.

Background: Clostridium difficile is a key culprit underlying nosocomial infectious diarrhea. We investigated the effect of C difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) on morbidity and mortality in severely burned children and CDAD risk factors.

Methods: After review of 2,840 records, 288 pediatric burn patients were identified as having stool output of >10 mL•kg(-1)•min(-1) for ≥2 successive days and had stool samples immunoassayed for toxins A and B.