Bone scintigraphy in children with persistent pain in an extremity, suggesting algoneurodystrophy.

In this retrospective study, the data of bone scintigraphy performed in 21 children suspected of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) were analyzed. All of them had persistent pain in an extremity or a clinical suspicion of RSD. All children with strong suspicion of RSD showed diffuse hypoactivity at the level of the involved area on bone scintigraphy.

An analysis of prognostic variables in acute lymphocytic leukaemia in a heterogenous South African population.

The records of all 96 children below the age of 15 years diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at Tygerberg Hospital in the Republic of South Africa between 1983 and 1995 were reviewed to determine risk factors which may predict poor outcome. Age < 2 and > 8 years, and white cell count > 20 x 10(9)/l at diagnosis were significant predictors of poor outcome. Sex, FAB classification, immunophenotype, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, BFM risk score, and the presence of mediastinal glands did not predict outcome.