Parainfluenza and influenza virus infections in pediatric organ transplant recipients.

We retrospectively reviewed parainfluenza and influenza virus infections that occurred in pediatric organ transplant recipients at our hospital from January 1985 through September of 1992. Cultures of respiratory specimens revealed 45 infections in 42 transplant recipients (32 cases of parainfluenza and 13 cases of influenza virus infection). The following organs were transplanted: liver (28 patients), small bowel with and without liver (4), heart (3), lung with and without heart (5), and kidney (2).

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy in a child with follicular bronchiolitis.

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) is a syndrome affecting the bones, soft tissue, and joints, often occurring in association with chronic pulmonary disorders. Radiography has traditionally been the imaging modality employed to confirm this diagnosis. However, radionuclide bone imaging provides a sensitive method for the detection of HOA and correlates well with the clinical manifestations.

Telltale signs of congenital heart disease.

There are several key plain film findings that raise suspicion for and aid in the differentiation of congenital heart defects. These 'telltale' signs and their significance and the additional necessary imaging studies of cardiac lesions are discussed with particular emphasis on the role of magnetic resonance imaging.

Transplantation and the pediatric chest.

The plain chest radiograph is the mainstay in the imaging assessment of the chest in a prospective organ recipient and is invaluable in the initial evaluation of posttransplant complications. Although the presence of focal or diffuse air-space disease on a chest radiograph is often nonspecific, this finding helps direct the choice of other diagnostic methods. Among cross-sectional imaging techniques, computed tomography is used most often to further define anatomy and abnormal findings and to guide needle biopsy or aspiration if necessary.