The non-diagnostic ultrasound in appendicitis: is a non-visualized appendix the same as a negative study?

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate outcomes in children who underwent a non-diagnostic ultrasound (US) evaluating for appendicitis and to identify predictors of a negative diagnosis.

Methods: An IRB-approved retrospective chart review was performed on patients age 0-18, who underwent an abdominal US evaluating for acute appendicitis from 2004 through 2013. Clinical data and specified outcomes were recorded, and exams were categorized into non-diagnostic studies and further separated into studies where the appendix was non-visualized.

Techniques for toddlers: linear band incision for harlequin ichthyosis with associated compartment syndrome.

Harlequin ichthyosis (HI) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of cornification in which children are born with an extremely thick stratum corneum that becomes a restrictive circumferential encasement around the orifices, limbs, chest, and abdomen, resulting in limb contractures. We present a neonate diagnosed in utero with HI. The infant was born with encasing bands of thickened skin creating strictures that were causing digital and limb cyanosis (compartment syndrome).

Three-dimensional imaging improves surgical performance for both novice and experienced operators using the da Vinci Robot System.

Background: This study was designed to evaluate the impact of 3-dimensional vision on the performance of resident and experienced surgeons using the da Vinci Robot System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA).

Methods: Four tasks were performed by 12 surgeons with varying experience. Performance times and errors were recorded using both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional vision for each task.

Peritoneal tuberculosis in a 15-month-old male: surgical diagnosis of an insidious disease.

Background: Peritoneal involvement is a relatively rare complication of tuberculosis, accounting for approximately 3.3% of extrapulmonary disease in the United States. Clinical diagnosis relies on a preponderance of indirect evidence and is often delayed.

A case confirming the progressive stages of pyomyositis.

A teenage boy presented in the early stage of pyomyositis. He had neck pain, tenderness, and fever. A computed tomography scan showed inflammation in the sternocleidomastoid muscle with no fluid collection.