Pediatric parapneumonic empyema: risk factors, clinical characteristics, microbiology, and management.

Objective: Pediatric empyema is increasing in incidence and continues to be a source of morbidity in children. Our objective was to determine the risk factors, clinical characteristics, distribution of the pathogens, and outcome of pediatric empyema in 2 Israeli pediatric medical centers.

Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study on children aged 2 months to 18 years hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the pre-Prevnar era (2000-2009).

Vocal fold paralysis in infants with tracheoesophageal fistula.

Objectives: We describe the clinical characteristics and management of vocal fold paralysis in infants who were born with a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF).

Methods: This retrospective case series included all infants born with TEFs who presented to our pediatric otolaryngology unit and intensive care unit because of dyspnea or aphonia in the years 2005 and 2006, and who were found to have vocal fold paralysis.

Results: Five boys and 1 girl were studied.

Intraorbital and periorbital tumors in children--value of ultrasound and color Doppler imaging in the differential diagnosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the role of ultrasonography (US) and color Doppler imaging (CDI) in the diagnosis of orbital tumors in children.

Design: Retrospective nonrandomized interventional case series.

Methods: This study included 42 children with intraorbital and periorbital tumors who were evaluated in our clinic.

Pre-operative sonographic diagnosis of incarcerated neonatal Spigelian hernia containing the testis.

Background: Spigelian hernia (SH) is a ventral hernia that occurs along the semilunar line formed by the fibrous union of the rectus sheath and the anterior abdominal wall muscles, usually containing small bowel segments, omental fat or both. Spigelian hernias are rare in adults and exceedingly rare in children. A few case reports describing SH in the paediatric population have been published and an association with cryptorchidism has been very rarely reported.

Survey of critical care management of severe traumatic head injury in Israel.

Objective: To survey the current monitoring and treatment policies for patients with severe traumatic brain injury (STBI) in Israel, and to compare the management of pediatric and adult intensive care units (ICUs).

Design: Questionnaires were sent to the medical directors of all ICUs managing STBI patients.

Results: All 21 ICUs responded to the questionnaire.