scholarly journals Fetal Cholelithiasis: A Diagnostic Update and a Literature Review

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. CCRep.S12273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefania Triunfo ◽  
Paolo Rosati ◽  
Pietro Ferrara ◽  
Antonio Gatto ◽  
Giovanni Scambia

Fetal gallstones and cholelithiasis, detected by routine third trimester ultrasound, have been described in the literature with controversial clinical significance. We report a case of fetal cholelithiasis detected at 35 weeks gestation during a routine scan. The diagnosis was performed using an integrated 2-dimensional (2-D) and 3-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound approach in order to obtain a better definition of the fetal gallbladder and its content. A neonatal follow-up was achieved. The present study has a twofold purpose: firstly, to update the diagnostic approach using the innovative 3-D modalities and secondly, to review the management of this condition during fetal and postnatal life.

Author(s):  
Maria Gaia ◽  
◽  
Mariana Capela ◽  
Margarida Peixoto ◽  
Joana Borges ◽  
...  

Introduction: Antenatal hydronephrosis (ANH) is common in fetal ultrasounds. Though mostly transient, it can be associated with congenital abnormalities and kidney injury. The authors went to assess the evolution of children with ANH and identify risk groups. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of children with ANH from 2013‑2017. Renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter (APD) of 4 and 7mm or more in the second and third trimester, respectively, defined diagnosis of ANH. APD also defined severity stratification. The primary out‑ comes included occurrence of urinary tract infection (UTI) and congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). Results: We identified 198 cases, with male predominance (76.8%) and a 2.1% incidence. It resolved antenatally in 12.1%, with a lower mean value of APD in these cases (p=0.017), and persisted in 43.4%. CAKUT were found in 8.6% of the patients. At least 1 episode of UTI occurred in 9.1% of patients during follow‑up. The degree of ANH in the 3rd trimester was related to postnatal persistence and degree (p<0.001) and the postnatal degree was related to the occurrence of UTI (p=0.008). The 3rd trimester and postnatal degree were also associated to the presence of CAKUT (p=0.036; p=0.001), although not with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). The persistence of ANH through the 2nd and 3rd trimester was related to postnatal persistence (p=0.002) and degree (p=0.007), and the presence of CAKUT excluding VUR (p=0.034). The optimal cut‑off for the APD in the 3rd trimester to predict the occurrence of negative outcomes (CAKUT and/or UTI), through a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, was 8.225mm with 76% sensitivity and 59% specificity. Discussion: ANH is frequent and reflects a wide range of conditions, requiring follow‑up. Most cases resolve spontaneously and require no further intervention other than ultrasounds. 3rd trimester and postnatal degree are related to prognosis, allowing the definition of risk groups and the improvement of patient management.


Author(s):  
Annina Ropponen ◽  
Mo Wang ◽  
Jurgita Narusyte ◽  
Karri Silventoinen ◽  
Petri Böckerman ◽  
...  

Background: A unified or consensus definition of “sustainable working life” remains lacking, although studies investigating risk factors for labour market exit are numerous. In this study, we aimed (1) to update the information and to explore a definition of “sustainable working life” via a systematic literature review and (2) to describe the working life trajectories via the prevalence of sickness absence (SA), disability pension (DP), and unemployment in a Swedish twin cohort to provide a sample overview in our Sustainable Working Life-project. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted to explore the studies with the search phrase “sustainable working life” in PubMed, PsycInfo, and the Web of Science Database of Social Sciences in January 2021, resulting in a total of 51 references. A qualitative synthesis was performed for the definitions and the measures of “sustainable working life.” Based on the Swedish Twin project Of Disability pension and Sickness absence (STODS), the current dataset to address sustainable working life includes 108 280 twin individuals born between 1925 and 1990. Comprehensive register data until 2016 for unemployment, SA and DP were linked to all individuals. Using STODS, we analysed the annual prevalence of SA, DP, and unemployment as working life trajectories over time across education and age groups. Results: The reviewed 16 full articles described several distinct definitions for sustainable working life between 2007 and 2020 from various perspectives, i.e., considering workplaces or employees, the individual, organizational or enterprise level, and the society level. The definition of “sustainable working life” appearing most often was the swAge-model including a broad range of factors, e.g., health, physical/mental/psychosocial work environment, work motivation/satisfaction, and the family situation and leisure activities. Our dataset comprised of 81%–94% of individuals who did not meet SA, DP, or unemployment during the follow-up in 1994–2016, being indicative for “sustainable working life.” The annual prevalence across years had a decreasing trend of unemployment over time, whereas the prevalence of SA had more variation, with DP being rather stable. Both unemployment and DP had the highest prevalence among those with a lower level of education, whereas in SA, the differences in prevalence between education levels were minor. Unemployment was highest across the years in the youngest age group (18–27 years), the age group differences for SA were minor, and for DP, the oldest age group (58–65 years) had the highest prevalence. Conclusions: No consensus exists for a “sustainable working life,” hence meriting further studies, and we intend to contribute by utilising the STODS database for the Sustainable Working Life project. In the upcoming studies, the existing knowledge of available definitions and frameworks will be utilised. The dataset containing both register data and self-reports enables detailed follow-up for labour market participation for sustainable working life.


Author(s):  
Tsai-Fa(TF) Yen

We-Chat Marketing is a new kind of network marketing model derived from the background of network economy. Recently, many internet companies have been asked to rectify themselves, causing us to pay attention to We-Chat Marketing issues. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore the definition of We-Chat Marketing including problems and countermeasures. This study obtains the data through the literature review, analyzes and interprets it by inductive and deductive method. Findings show that the research on We-Chat Marketing is more focused on the policy, regulation and marketing aspects and its countermeasures are less in terms of organization and human resources as well as financial aspects. Finally, this study suggests that follow-up researchers should try to explore the evaluations of costs-benefits of We-Chat Marketing and other issues.


2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (05) ◽  
pp. 371-378
Author(s):  
Alfred O. Ankrah ◽  
Ismaheel O. Lawal ◽  
Tebatso M.G. Boshomane ◽  
Hans C. Klein ◽  
Thomas Ebenhan ◽  
...  

Abstract 18F-FDG and 68Ga-citrate PET/CT have both been shown to be useful in the management of tuberculosis (TB). We compared the abnormal PET findings of 18F-FDG- and 68Ga-citrate-PET/CT in patients with TB. Methods Patients with TB on anti-TB therapy were included. Patients had a set of PET scans consisting of both 18F-FDG and 68Ga-citrate. Abnormal lesions were identified, and the two sets of scans were compared. The scan findings were correlated to the clinical data as provided by the attending physician. Results 46 PET/CT scans were performed in 18 patients, 11 (61 %) were female, and the mean age was 35.7 ± 13.5 years. Five patients also had both studies for follow-up reasons during the use of anti-TB therapy. Thirteen patients were co-infected with HIV. 18F-FDG detected more lesions than 68Ga-citrate (261 vs. 166, p < 0.0001). 68Ga-citrate showed a better definition of intracerebral lesions due to the absence of tracer uptake in the brain. The mean SUVmax was higher for 18F-FDG compared to 68Ga-citrate (5.73 vs. 3.01, p < 0.0001). We found a significant correlation between the SUVmax of lesions that were determined by both tracers (r = 0.4968, p < 0.0001). Conclusion Preliminary data shows 18F-FDG-PET detects more abnormal lesions in TB compared to 68Ga-citrate. However, 68Ga-citrate has better lesion definition in the brain and is therefore especially useful when intracranial TB is suspected.


Author(s):  
Adam Lee ◽  
Adam Bajinting ◽  
Abby Lunneen ◽  
Colleen M. Fitzpatrick ◽  
Gustavo A. Villalona

AbstractReports of incidental pneumomediastinum in infants secondary to inflicted trauma are limited. A retrospective review of infants with pneumomediastinum and history of inflicted trauma was performed. A comprehensive literature review was performed. Three infants presented with pneumomediastinum associated with inflicted trauma. Mean age was 4.6 weeks. All patients underwent diagnostic studies, as well as a standardized evaluation for nonaccidental trauma. All patients with pneumomediastinum were resolved at follow-up. Review of the literature identified other cases with similar presentations with related oropharyngeal injuries. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in previously healthy infants may be associated with inflicted injuries. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of an oropharyngeal perforation related to this presentation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
pp. 1231-1245
Author(s):  
Filippo Maffezzoni ◽  
Teresa Porcelli ◽  
Andrea Delbarba ◽  
Letizia Pezzaioli ◽  
Carlo Cappelli ◽  
...  

: Biological markers (biomarkers) play a key role in drug development, regulatory approval and clinical care of patients and are linked to clinical and surrogate outcomes. : Both acromegaly and Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) are pathological conditions related to important comorbidities that, in addition to having stringent diagnostic criteria, require valid markers for the definition of treatment, treatment monitoring and follow-up. GH and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) are the main biomarkers of GH action in children and adults while, in acromegaly, both GH and IGF-I are established biomarkers of disease activity. : However, although GH and IGF-I are widely validated biomarkers of GHD and acromegaly, their role is not completely exhaustive or suitable for clinical classification and follow-up. Therefore, new biological markers for acromegaly and GH replacement therapy are strongly needed. : The aim of this paper is to review and summarize the current state in the field pointing out new potential biomarkers for acromegaly and GH use/abuse.


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