Nodular pulmonary lesions in children after autologous stem cell transplantation: a source of misinterpretation.

In children with malignant disorders, autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) represents a therapeutic option, but several possible complications, such as life-threatening pulmonary disease, make appropriate diagnostic procedures essential. We describe two cases with bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia after HSCT, with a brief review of important differential diagnoses.

Severe anemia owing to occult pulmonary hemorrhage: a diagnostic pitfall.

The purpose of this paper is to increase the awareness about pulmonary hemorrhage as a possible cause of microcytic hypochromic anemia and to delineate diagnostic difficulties and possible pitfalls. An instructive case of anemia of unclear origin referred to our institution for a hematologic workup is presented. Microcytic hypochromic anemia owing to repeated occult alveolar hemorrhages was the only clinical sign of idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis in this case.

Selective IgA deficiency in children with recurrent parotitis of childhood.

Recurrent parotitis of childhood is defined as the relapsing form of juvenile (idiopathic) parotitis and represents a rare inflammatory disorder of the parotid gland with potentially significant morbidity. We reviewed the charts of patients who were diagnosed with inflammatory parotid diseases in our institution between 1992 and 2002. There were 91 patients presenting with juvenile parotitis (1 of 6117 of all clinical visits).

Neurofibromatosis 1: a novel NF1 mutation in an 11-year-old girl with a giant cell granuloma.

We report an 11-year-old girl who presented with a painless unilateral enlargement of the nasal bridge. Because of multiple café-au-lait spots and a positive family history, neurofibromatosis 1was diagnosed. On a computed tomographic scan, a unilocular radiolucency measuring 1.

Mediastinal mass in childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: significance and therapy response.

Background: T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) accounts for approximately 10-13% of childhood ALL cases. Patients with T-ALL frequently present with unfavorable features at diagnosis and thus are considered to have a higher risk to relapse. Within the last 10 years, the previously dismal prognosis of this ALL subtype has been improved by intensified chemotherapy.