Rare diagnosis of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome in a paediatric patient.

Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is a rare neurocutaneous syndrome characterised by the triad of recurrent orofacial swelling, facial nerve palsy and fissured tongue. This diagnosis is particularly rare in children. We aim to increase awareness of the syndromic association of these clinical features since most patients present with a monosymptomatic form, reiterating the importance of detailed history and thorough physical examination, for the timely identification of these patients.

Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Abdominal Wall Caused by Serratia Marcescens.

In this article, we present the first case of necrotizing fasciitis affecting the abdominal wall caused by Serratia marcescens and share results of a focused review of S. marcescens induced necrotizing fasciitis. Our patient underwent aorto-femoral bypass grafting for advanced peripheral vascular disease and presented 3 weeks postoperatively with pain, erythema and discharge from the incision site in the left lower abdominal wall and underwent multiple debridement of the affected area.

Intracranial abscess due to Mycobacterium avium complex in an immunocompetent host: a case report.

Background: Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is a ubiquitous pathogen, widely distributed in the environment including water, soil and animals. It is an uncommonly encountered clinical pathogen; primarily causing pulmonary infections in patients with underlying lung disease or disseminated disease in immunocompromised hosts. Sporadically, extra-pulmonary infections have been documented including involvement of the liver, spleen, skin, soft tissue and lymph nodes.

Evaluating the safety and efficacy of Glucommander, a computer-based insulin infusion method, in management of diabetic ketoacidosis in children, and comparing its clinical performance with manually titrated insulin infusion.

The Glucommander is a computer-based system for directing intravenous insulin infusion. Using a physician-selected glucose target range and a weight-based multiplier, it recommends an insulin infusion rate and interval to next glucose measurement. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of this system by conducting a retrospective chart review of 65 new-onset or existing type 1 diabetic children, admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), managed with the Glucommander.

Ketamine reduces the cell death following inflammatory pain in newborn rat brain.

Premature infants experience untreated repetitive pain that may alter their brain development. Effects of ketamine and repetitive pain on cellular death and subsequent behavior were studied in neonatal rats. Rat pups were randomized to undisturbed controls (C), 4% formalin injection (F), ketamine alone (K, 5 mg/kg) or formalin plus ketamine (KF) and were assessed for neuroactivation with Fos protein, cellular death with FluoroJade-B, cognition with the radial arm maze, and pain thresholds with the hot-plate.

Case of the month. Symptomatic chronic calcified subdural hematoma in a 5-year-old child.

Head trauma is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. The pathophysiology and clinical outcomes of head trauma differ between children and adults. Traumatic mass lesions such as subdural and epidural hematomas occur less frequently in children and, when present, are associated with lower mortality.

Developmental Neurobiology of Pain in Neonatal Rats.

The authors examine the biological basis for the behavioral evidence of pain perception in neonatal rats, and discuss the potential link to a greater understanding of chronic pain