Cholelithiasis in children with immunoglobulin A deficiency: a new gastroenterologic syndrome.

In view of the role of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the local host defenses of the gut and biliary tract, and the association of IgA deficiency with various intestinal disorders, an ultrasonographic study was performed to determine the prevalence of gallstones in selective IgA deficiency. Eight of 13 children (three girls and five boys) with selective IgA deficiency had abnormal biliary sonograms. Four had cholelithiasis, and four had biliary sludge only.

The imaging diagnosis of nonpyogenic discitis in children.

Nonpyogenic discitis (NPD) is diagnosed on radiograms by the demonstration of the narrow disc-space with involvement of the adjacent vertebral bodies, and with radioisotope--by showing the increased uptake at the same level. Four phases are recognised in the development of the imaging changes. The isotope scan is important, especially in the latent phase of the disease when the radiograms are still negative.

[Echotomography in nephroblastoma and neuroblastoma of the lumbar fossa in childhood. Comparison with intravenous pyelography and computerized tomography (author's transl)].

The respective values of intravenous pyelography, ultrasound examination and computerized tomography are compared with the findings at surgery and with histological data in 28 children with malignant tumors of the lumbar fossa. Ultrasound proved to be of significant value in assessing the extent of the tumor. At the present time, computerized tomography is only indicated when intravenous pyelography and ultrasound examination fail to provide adequate information.