Maternal ventilation and sedation for H1N1 influenza resulting in fetal bladder rupture and urinary ascites.

Urinary ascites in a newborn infant is unusual and most commonly results from bladder perforation following umbilical arterial catheterisation or obstructive uropathy. The following report describes a case of fetal bladder rupture with urinary ascites in a mother ventilated and sedated with narcotics and benzodiazepines for H1N1 influenza. This was associated with a unique biochemical profile of hyponatraemia and elevated serum urea and creatinine characteristic of urinary autodialysis in the neonate.

Utility of white cell count and ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

Background: Despite considerable advances in imaging, the diagnosis of acute appendicitis remains a clinical one. Nonetheless, knowledge of the characteristics of commonly used investigations for appendicitis may aid surgical decision-making.

Methods: The pathology, full blood counts and ultrasounds of 1013 patients who underwent appendicectomy were reviewed and subjected to statistical analysis in order to determine diagnostic characteristics of various white cell count and ultrasound results.

Management of the acute scrotum in children.

Background: The study investigates the hypothesis that testicular torsion is over-diagnosed by emergency department (ED) doctors. Diagnoses made by ED doctors are compared with those made by a surgical registrar or specialist and the review outcome by a surgical registrar or specialist on diagnosis and management is evaluated.

Methods: Medical records of all boys up to the age of 14 years who presented with an acute scrotum to the ED at The Canberra Hospital between October 1995 and October 2000 were retrospectively reviewed.