An unexpected fever post serogroup B meningococcal sepsis

This case report describes an invasive meningococcal group B infection followed by the development of Kawasaki disease (KD) complicated by macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) in a 2-year-old child. The presented case indicates the possible etiologic relationship between meningococcal sepsis and KD as support of bacterial toxin induced theory. It’s important to maintain a high grade of suspicious for KD in every relapse of fever also during convalescence phase of severe infection. Usually, initial treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin is sufficient to control the disease; but, in case of refractory KD complicated by MAS, corticosteroid therapy represents a good option inducing prompt fever resolution and clinical improvement.

Oral findings in patients with Apert Syndrome

INTRODUCTION: The Apert syndrome is a rare disorder of autosomal dominant inheritance caused by mutations in the FGFR2 gene at locus 10q26; patients with this syndrome present severe syndactyly, exophthalmia, ocular hypertelorism and hypoplastic midface with Class III malocclusion, besides systemic alterations. Most investigations available on the Apert syndrome address the genetic aspect or surgical management, with little emphasis on the oral aspects. OBJECTIVE: to investigate the oral findings, including dental anomalies, ectopic eruption of the maxillary permanent first molars and soft tissue alterations, in subjects with Apert syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: clinical and radiographic examination of nine patients with Apert syndrome, aged 6 to 15 years, not previously submitted to orthodontic or orthognathic treatment. RESULTS: dental anomalies were present in all patients, with one to eight anomalies per individual. The most frequent anomalies were tooth agenesis, mainly affecting maxillary canines, and enamel opacities (44.4% for both). Ectopic eruption of maxillary first molars was found in 33.3% of patients; lateral palatal swellings were observed in 88.8% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of typical lateral palatal swellings agrees with the literature. The high prevalence of dental anomalies and ectopic eruption may suggest a possible etiologic relationship with the syndrome.

Clonorchiasis and Cholangiocarcinoma: Etiologic Relationship and Imaging Diagnosis

SUMMARY Despite a gradual decrease in prevalence, clonorchiasis is still prevalent in East Asia. A large and compelling body of evidence links clonorchiasis and cholangiocarcinoma, although the mechanisms involved are not completely understood. Clonorchiasis induces biliary epithelial hyperplasia and metaplasia, and this could facilitate at least one stage of the carcinogenesis, which is promoting effect. In areas of endemic infection, more clonorchiasis cases are now diagnosed incidentally during radiological examinations such as cholangiography, ultrasonography, and computed tomography. Radiological findings are regarded as pathognomonic for clonorchiasis since they reflect the unique pathological changes of this disorder. These radiological examinations currently play important roles in the diagnosis, staging, and decision-making process involved in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma. The morphological features and radiological findings of clonorchiasis-associated cholangiocarcinoma are essentially combinations of the findings for the two diseases. The morphological features of clonorchiasis- associated cholangiocarcinoma, observed in radiological examinations, do not differ from those of the usual cholangiocarcinoma. In patients diagnosed with or suspected to have clonorchiasis, radiological findings should be carefully scrutinized for occult cholangiocarcinoma.

Composite Ganglioglioma and Dysembryoplastic Neuroepithelial Tumor

Both ganglioglioma and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors are well-recognized glial-neuronal neoplasms associated with chronic epilepsy and cortical dysplasia (neuronal migration abnormalities). The exact relationship between these 2 glial-neuronal tumors continues to be debated. This article reports a case of a composite ganglioglioma and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor occurring in a 36-year-old woman in the left temporal lobe region. The resection histologically demonstrated distinct areas of ganglioglioma and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor. A focal area of cortical dysplasia is also identified. The MIB-1 labeling indexes in both components were low (<1% of tumor cell nuclei). The coexistence of these 2 lesions and cortical dysplasia suggest a possible etiologic relationship between these 2 tumors.

Isolated Maxillary Bending in CL/Fr Strain Mice: Observation of Craniofacial Deformity and Inheritance Pattern

Objective The CL/Fr mouse, known as a strain with spontaneous cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P), has been used as an animal model to investigate etiology in CL/P. Method We examined a facial asymmetry mutant discovered in a CL/Fr mouse colony that was not associated with CL/P and was shown to be inheritable in subsequent generations. Facial asymmetry became apparent with postnatal growth, whereas it was not detectable at birth, and was termed “maxillary bending” (MB) based on the characteristic bending of the maxilla. Results As a result of selective breeding, an ‘MB line,’ in which MB was observed in 21.68% (67/309) in addition to CL/P in 17.80% (55/309) of the offspring, was developed in the CL/Fr colony. In mating experiments between the MB line and C57BL/6J, all F1 progeny showed the normal phenotype. MB was observed In 0.72% (1/139) of the F2 generation, and the backcross generation showed segregation of MB in 6.25% (22/352) and CL/P in 1.42% (5/352). These instances suggested the occurrence of an additional mutation in the CL/Fr mouse genome controlled by an autosomal recessive gene with low penetrance. However, since the CL/Fr mouse primarily has a developmental deficiency in the maxilla, the possibility that CL/P and MB share common etiologic factors cannot be completely ruled out. Conclusion The maxillary bending retains significance, as this mutant can serve as an animal model of abnormal facial growth. Elucidation of the etiologic relationship between MB and CL/P may provide clues to clarifying the deficiency in first branchial arch In the mouse.