Lipoid pneumonia in children following aspiration of mineral oil used in the treatment of constipation: high-resolution CT findings in 17 patients

A narrative review on the diagnosis and management of constipation in infants

INTRODUCTION

Functional constipation is one of the common disorders of gut-brain interaction in infancy, and decreases the quality of life of infants and parents.

AREAS COVERED

Relevant articles up to November 2022 were reviewed. We searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE for guidelines, position papers, reviews, and randomized controlled trials on infant constipation.

EXPERT OPINION

Randomized controlled trials in this specific age group are mostly limited to trials with infant formula. The prevalence of infant constipation in formula-fed infants is decreasing, and can be associated with adaptations in formula composition. While the supplementation of infant formula with pro-, pre- and/or synbiotics decreases the prevalence of constipation, their efficacy in constipated infants is disappointing. There is limited evidence to support the addition of magnesium to infant formula to treat constipation. The evidence for the efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol in children < 2 years has expanded over the past years. The administration of lactulose or polyethylene glycol is the preferred medical management, in case nutritional management does result in insufficient improvement.

An Update of Pharmacological Management in Children with Functional Constipation

Functional constipation is a common problem in childhood worldwide and has a great impact on social, physical, and emotional functioning of affected children and their caregivers. It is a clinical diagnosis based on the Rome IV criteria. Non-pharmacological treatment involves education, demystification, lifestyle advice, and toilet training. Pharmacological treatment consists of disimpaction, maintenance treatment, and eventually weaning if possible. Polyethylene glycol is considered as the first choice of laxative for both disimpaction and maintenance treatment. Different osmotic laxatives, stimulant laxatives, lubricants, and enemas are available as alternative pharmacological treatment options. Novel drugs are emerging but evidence to support the widespread application of these drugs in the pediatric population is often lacking and more high-quality research is needed in this field. If children remain symptomatic despite optimal pharmacological treatment, botulinum toxin injections in the anal sphincter can be considered as an alternative, more invasive treatment option. This review provides an update on currently available literature concerning the pharmacologic treatment of functional constipation in children.

Fever and dyspnoea in a tracheostomised patient

Pneumonia of unknown origin in tracheostomised patienthttps://bit.ly/3hZHBA0

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia: when radiologist makes the difference

PURPOSE

To report high-resolution CT (HRCT) findings in our group of patients with exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP), confirmed with histopathological findings and clinical-anamnestic data, in order to describe the most common radiological patterns of this rare disorder.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective study, HRCT of 10 patients with ELP were evaluated by three radiologists. Diagnosis of ELP was made through CT, bronchiolo-alveolar lavage (BAL) and a pneumological examination associated with an accurate medical anamnesis. Five patients had a histologically proven ELP, through lung biopsy. All patients had a chronic exposition to substances made of animal fat or mineral/vegetable oils.

RESULTS

In our cohort of patients with ELP, the following parenchymal patterns were observed: 8/10 patients had lung consolidation with adipose density (attenuation values < - 40 HU); 10/10 patients had multiple areas of ground glass opacity; 6/10 patients had smooth thickening of interlobular septa and ground glass opacities ("crazy-paving" pattern); 2/10 patients presented nodules > 2.5 cm with spiculated margins (tumor-like); 5/10 patients showed reactive lymph nodes enlargement. The oldest lesions were characterized by bronchiectasis and fibrosis around the lipidic consolidations.

CONCLUSION

Pulmonary alterations found in HRCT exams can be confused with other lung diseases (especially lung tumors) and they are always a challenge even for the most experienced radiologist. In our experience, although non-specific, consolidation areas with low HU values and crazy-paving pattern are frequently associated in ELP. These characteristics should alert the radiologist to consider ELP among the possible differential diagnoses, always correlating the results of CT examination with appropriate clinical-laboratory evaluations and an accurate anamnesis.

Interstitial Lung Diseases in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults: Different from Infants and Older Adults

Childhood interstitial lung disease (chILD) in children, teenagers, and young adults presents a challenge to the clinicians and radiologist, given its rarity, diverse imaging manifestations, and often nonspecific clinical examination findings. This article discusses the utility of available imaging techniques and associated characteristic imaging findings, and reviews the 2015 chILD classification scheme, with clinical examples highlighting the imaging features to help the radiologist aid in an efficient and accurate multidisciplinary diagnosis of chILD.

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia in children: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

To describe the clinical-radiological-pathological characteristics and treatment outcomes of children with suspected exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP).

DESIGN

Systematic review. We searched electronic databases and reference lists published between 1967 and 2018, restricted to non-accidental cases.

RESULTS

Forty-four studies including 489 participants aged 1 day to 17 years from 13 countries were included. Cultural, medical, and behavioural rationale for oil-use was described. The clinical-radiological presentation varied widely. Diagnostic certainty was deemed highest if ELP was confirmed on bronchoalveolar lavage/frozen section lung biopsy with documented extracellular lipid on cytological staining and/or fat analysis. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria infection was identified in six studies: Mycobacterium fortuitum/chelonei, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium abscessus. Treatment comprised supportive therapy, corticosteroids, stopping oil, therapeutic lung-lavage and surgical resection. Outcomes were reported inconsistently.

CONCLUSION

Paediatric ELP resulting from cultural and medical practices continues to be described globally. Preventive interventions, standardized reporting, and treatment efficacy studies for cases not averted, are lacking. Protocol registration: PROSPERO CRD42017068313.

Exogenous lipid pneumonia in old people caused by aspiration: Two case reports and literature review

Background

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia is a rare entity, the diagnosis is often missed or delayed.

Objective

To investigate the clinical characteristics of exogenous lipid pneumonia in elderly patients, improve the efficiency of early diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Methods

Retrospectively analyzed the clinical information and imaging data of these 2 exogenous lipid pneumonia patients, reviewed related literature.

Results

Both of the 2 patients were over 60 with a history of gastrointestinal diseases. The clinical presentation is nonspecific. Chest CT showed many different manifestations. Histopathology analysis revealed the accumulation of lipid carrying macrophages, vacuolar cells and inflammation. A literature review indicated that 25 previous cases of exogenous lipid pneumonia were caused by aspiration. The most common site of the lesion was located in right lung, while mineral oil was the most common substances. We sought to discuss the patient's treatment and the corresponding outcomes.

Conclusion

The diagnosis of lipid pneumonia's mainly depends on medical history and histopathological morphology. The standard treatment for exogenous lipid pneumonia was composed of antibiotics, steroid, bronchoscopic lavage and a regular follow-up.

Chronic Functional Constipation in Infants and Children

Functional constipation is a common problem among children. The prevalence worldwide is about 3% and it is accounting for about 3-5% of all visits to pediatricians implicating a significant impact on health care cost. In most children presenting with the symptom constipation no underlying medical disease responsible for the symptom can be found; this is the so-called functional constipation. Functional constipation is characterized by infrequent bowel movements, hard and/or large stools, painful defecation, sometimes in combination with fecal incontinence, and is often accompanied by abdominal pain, without evidence of a structural or biochemical explanation.The recommendation for the management of FC includes a normal intake of fibers and fluids, normal physical activity, and an additional pharmacologic treatment for fecal disimpaction followed by a pharmacologic maintenance therapy.In infants constipation is treated somewhat differently as compared with children. When constipation presents early in life, the risk of an underlying organic disease is increased compared to older children.

Adult exogenous lipoid pneumonia: A rare and underrecognized entity in cytology - A case series

Background:

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) is a rare benign entity without specific clinical or imaging presentation. Although cytological studies – either bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or fine-needle aspiration (FNA) – may be pursued in patients with ELP, a definitive diagnosis is frequently rendered only on histology. The aim of this study is to highlight the cytological features of ELP.

Methods:

A search of cytopathology (CP) and surgical pathology (SP) diagnoses of ELP was conducted. The corresponding clinical and imaging features were obtained, and the morphology, particularly the presence and size of the intracytoplasmic vacuoles and background, was assessed.

Results:

Nine cases of ELP were identified, including eight with corresponding CP and SP. A neoplasm was suspected in three based on imaging, but ELP was not in the differential clinically or radiographically in any. Among the cases, six patients had BALs and three FNAs. All of the samples showed multiple large vacuoles within macrophages with at least some equal to or larger than the size of the cell nucleus. Similar vacuoles were noted extracellularly on smears.

Conclusions:

ELP is typically described in case reports in the clinical or radiological literature. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the largest series of adult ELP in CP. When large vacuoles are present in macrophages in cytology specimens, at least a suspicion of ELP can be suggested to initiate appropriate therapy, identify/remove the inciting agent, and preclude a more invasive procedure.

Interstitial Lung Disease in Children Made Easier…Well, Almost

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) in pediatric patients is different from that in adults, with a vast array of pathologic conditions unique to childhood, varied modes of presentation, and a different range of radiologic appearances. Although rare, childhood ILD (chILD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, most notably in conditions of disordered surfactant function, with respiratory failure in 100% of neonates with surfactant protein B dysfunction and 100% mortality without lung transplantation. The authors present a summary of lung development and anatomy, followed by an organized approach, using the structure and nomenclature of the 2013 update to the chILD Research Network classification system, to aid radiologic diagnosis of chILD. Index radiologic cases with contemporaneous histopathologic findings illustrate a summary of recent imaging studies covering the full spectrum of chILD. chILD is best grouped by age at presentation from infancy (diffuse developmental disorders, lung growth abnormalities, specific conditions of unknown origin, surfactant dysfunction mutations) to later childhood (disorders of the normal host, disorders related to systemic disease processes, disorders related to immunocompromise). Appreciation of the temporal division of chILD into infant and later childhood onset, along with a sound understanding of pulmonary organogenesis and surfactant homeostasis, will aid in providing useful insight into this important group of pediatric conditions. Application of secondary lobular anatomy to interpretation of thin-section computed tomographic images is pivotal to understanding patterns of ILD and will aid in selecting and narrowing a differential diagnosis. ^©RSNA, 2017.

ERS statement: interventional bronchoscopy in children

Paediatric airway endoscopy is accepted as a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure, with an expanding number of indications and applications in children. The aim of this European Respiratory Society task force was to produce a statement on interventional bronchoscopy in children, describing the evidence available at present and current clinical practice, and identifying areas deserving further investigation. The multidisciplinary task force panel performed a systematic review of the literature, focusing on whole lung lavage, transbronchial and endobronchial biopsy, transbronchial needle aspiration with endobronchial ultrasound, foreign body extraction, balloon dilation and occlusion, laser-assisted procedures, usage of airway stents, microdebriders, cryotherapy, endoscopic intubation, application of drugs and other liquids, and caregiver perspectives. There is a scarcity of published evidence in this field, and in many cases the task force had to resort to the collective clinical experience of the committee to develop this statement. The highlighted gaps in knowledge underline the need for further research and serve as a call to paediatric bronchoscopists to work together in multicentre collaborations, for the benefit of children with airway disorders.

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia induced by nasal decongestant

INTRODUCTION

Lipoid pneumonia is a clinical condition that may be initially asymptomatic or confused with an infectious or malignant lung disease.

OBJECTIVES

We report four cases of this pathological condition.

METHODS

The first case concerned an 85-year old woman with bilateral confluent pulmonary opacities, ground-glass type. Diagnosis was based on the cytology of the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid followed by its ultrastructural examination. The second case was a 47-year-old man with an isolated pulmonary nodule, which was surgically removed; the diagnosis of lipoid pneumonia was formulated on the basis of the histological and electron microscopy examination. The third case concerned a 73-year-old woman, with bilateral hypodense areas at the bases of the lungs where FDG PET/CT scan showed an increased uptake. Diagnosis was formulated by BAL cytology and electron microscopy examination. The fourth case was a 69-year-old man, who performed a virtual colonoscopy for diverticulosis putting in evidence a round mass (3 cm in diameter) with two small peripheral nodules, located in the pulmonary left lower lobe. The histopathological examination of transthoracic biopsy confirmed a lipoid pneumonia.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

In all four cases, it was put in evidence a prolonged use of a nasal decongestant containing mineral oils. In literature, the most cases described are characterized by a subclinical evolution and were presented as ground glass opacities which evolve, in the later phases, in an interstitial involvement or in a peripheral mass, simulating a lung tumour.

Osmotic and stimulant laxatives for the management of childhood constipation

BACKGROUND

Constipation within childhood is an extremely common problem. Despite the widespread use of osmotic and stimulant laxatives by health professionals to manage constipation in children, there has been a long standing paucity of high quality evidence to support this practice.

OBJECTIVES

We set out to evaluate the efficacy and safety of osmotic and stimulant laxatives used to treat functional childhood constipation.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the Cochrane IBD Group Specialized Trials Register from inception to 10 March 2016. There were no language restrictions. We also searched the references of all included studies, personal contacts and drug companies to identify studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) which compared osmotic or stimulant laxatives to placebo or another intervention, with participants aged 0 to 18 years old were considered for inclusion. The primary outcome was frequency of defecation. Secondary endpoints included faecal incontinence, disimpaction, need for additional therapies and adverse events.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Relevant papers were identified and two authors independently assessed the eligibility of trials, extracted data and assessed methodological quality using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The primary outcome was frequency of defecation. Secondary endpoints included faecal incontinence, disimpaction, need for additional therapies and adverse events. For continuous outcomes we calculated the mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using a fixed-effect model. For dichotomous outcomes we calculated the risk ratio (RR) and 95% CI using a fixed-effect model. The Chi(2) and I(2) statistics were used to assess statistical heterogeneity. A random-effects model was used in situations of unexplained heterogeneity. We assessed the overall quality of the evidence supporting the primary and secondary outcomes using the GRADE criteria.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-five RCTs (2310 participants) were included in the review. Fourteen studies were judged to be at high risk of bias due to lack of blinding, incomplete outcome data and selective reporting. Meta-analysis of two studies (101 patients) comparing polyethylene glycol (PEG) with placebo showed a significantly increased number of stools per week with PEG (MD 2.61 stools per week, 95% CI 1.15 to 4.08). Common adverse events in the placebo-controlled studies included flatulence, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea and headache. Participants receiving high dose PEG (0.7 g/kg) had significantly more stools per week than low dose PEG (0.3 g/kg) participants (1 study, 90 participants, MD 1.30, 95% 0.76 to 1.84). Meta-analysis of 6 studies with 465 participants comparing PEG with lactulose showed a significantly greater number of stools per week with PEG (MD 0.70 , 95% CI 0.10 to 1.31), although follow-up was short. Patients who received PEG were significantly less likely to require additional laxative therapies. Eighteen per cent (27/154) of PEG patients required additional therapies compared to 31% (47/150) of lactulose patients (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.83). No serious adverse events were reported with either agent. Common adverse events in these studies included diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and pruritis ani. Meta-analysis of 3 studies with 211 participants comparing PEG with milk of magnesia showed that the stools per week were significantly greater with PEG (MD 0.69, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.89). However, the magnitude of this difference was quite small and may not be clinically significant. One child was noted to be allergic to PEG, but there were no other serious adverse events reported. One study found a significant difference in stools per week favouring milk of magnesia over lactulose (MD -1.51, 95% CI -2.63 to -0.39, 50 patients), Meta-analysis of 2 studies with 287 patients comparing liquid paraffin (mineral oil) with lactulose revealed a relatively large statistically significant difference in the number of stools per week favouring liquid paraffin (MD 4.94 , 95% CI 4.28 to 5.61). No serious adverse events were reported. Adverse events included abdominal pain, distention and watery stools. No statistically significant differences in the number of stools per week were found between PEG and enemas (1 study, 90 patients, MD 1.00, 95% CI -1.58 to 3.58), dietary fibre mix and lactulose (1 study, 125 patients, P = 0.481), senna and lactulose (1 study, 21 patients, P > 0.05), lactitol and lactulose (1 study, 51 patients, MD -0.80, 95% CI -2.63 to 1.03), hydrolyzed guar gum and lactulose (1 study, 61 patients, MD 1.00, 95% CI -1.80 to 3.80), PEG and flixweed (1 study, 109 patients, MD 0.00, 95% CI -0.33 to 0.33), PEG and dietary fibre (1 study, 83 patients, MD 0.20, 95% CI -0.64 to 1.04), and PEG and liquid paraffin (2 studies, 261 patients, MD 0.35, 95% CI -0.24 to 0.95).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The pooled analyses suggest that PEG preparations may be superior to placebo, lactulose and milk of magnesia for childhood constipation. GRADE analyses indicated that the overall quality of the evidence for the primary outcome (number of stools per week) was low or very low due to sparse data, inconsistency (heterogeneity), and high risk of bias in the studies in the pooled analyses. Thus, the results of the pooled analyses should be interpreted with caution because of quality and methodological concerns, as well as clinical heterogeneity, and short follow-up. There is also evidence suggesting the efficacy of liquid paraffin (mineral oil). There is no evidence to demonstrate the superiority of lactulose when compared to the other agents studied, although there is a lack of placebo controlled studies. Further research is needed to investigate the long term use of PEG for childhood constipation, as well as the role of liquid paraffin. The optimal dose of PEG also warrants further investigation.

Pulmonary melanoma and "crazy paving" patterns in chest images: a case report and literature review

Background

In the lung, melanoma is mostly arranged as patterns of multiple nodules, solitary nodules, or miliary invasions. Very rarely, it also displays a “crazy paving” pattern (also described as a “paving stone,” “flagstone,” or “slabstone” pattern), which is rarer still in discrete bilateral nodules. This pattern is considered to be caused by pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, but its association with various diseases is unclear.

Case presentation

A 60-year-old man was diagnosed with pulmonary melanoma. Computed tomography revealed discrete bilateral nodules surrounded by a “paving” pattern. A literature review found more than 40 types of diseases that have presented with “paving” patterns in the lung—predominantly pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, viral pneumonia, exogenous lipoid pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia, pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis, interstitial pneumonia, ARDS, squalene aspiration pneumonia, radiation pneumonitis, drug-induced pneumonitis, pulmonary leptospirosis, pulmonary hemorrhage, and pulmonary nocardiosis.

Conclusions

We describe the first case of pulmonary melanoma in the form of discrete bilateral nodules accompanied with a computed tomography paving pattern. Although pulmonary paving patterns are rare, more than 40 diseases reportedly display them; clinicians should consider melanoma of the lung in differential diagnoses for patients who show such a pattern.

Management of Functional Constipation in Children: Therapy in Practice

Functional constipation is a common healthcare problem among children worldwide and accounts for high healthcare usage and costs. Functional constipation is a clinical diagnosis; the evaluation primarily consists of a thorough medical history and a complete physical examination. Additional investigations are not necessary in most cases. Treatment consists of non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions. Non-pharmacological interventions involve education and demystification, toilet training (with a reward system), and a defecation diary. Pharmacological treatment comprises three steps: disimpaction, maintenance treatment, and weaning. The treatment of first choice is oral laxatives, preferably polyethylene glycol. When this is insufficient, other therapeutic agents are available. This review discusses the evaluation and management of functional constipation in the pediatric population and provides a summary of drug treatment options.

Chronic Lipoid Pneumonia in a 9-Year-Old Child Revealed by Recurrent Chest Pain

Lipoid pneumonia in children is a rare disorder due to accumulation of fatty oily material in the alveoli and usually associated with an underlying condition. In absence of obvious context, diagnosis remains difficult with nonspecific clinical and radiological features. We report the first case of voluntary chronic aspiration of olive oil responsible for exogenous lipoid pneumonia, in a previously healthy 9-year-old boy. Clinical presentation was atypical; LP was revealed by isolated chest pain. We discuss radiological and bronchial alveolar lavage characteristics suggestive of lipoid pneumonia. Conclusion. Lipoid pneumonia is a disease to be reminded of in children, which can occur with original findings in terms of etiology and clinical presentation.

Mineral Oil Aspiration Related Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

We describe the development of rheumatoid factor-positive migratory polyarthritis in a 5-year-old male who had been administered bidaily oral mineral oil as a laxative since birth. Minor respiratory symptoms, radiographic and bronchoscopic findings were consistent with chronic lipoid pneumonia. We speculate that immune sensitization to mineral oil promoted the clinical syndrome of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Non-resolving Findings in a Long-term Radiographic Follow-up of an Infant with Acute Paraffin Oil Aspiration

Acute lipoid pneumonia (LP) in children is a rare disorder caused by the aspiration of oil-based substances and is difficult to diagnose due to non-specific clinical symptoms and radiological findings. We report the case of a 5-month-old male infant with acute LP caused by accidental aspiration of a large amount of mineral oil. We present the imaging findings in the computed tomography scans performed during his hospitalization and focus on the residual abnormalities seen on a scan performed 7-years after the incident. This, to the best of our knowledge, is the longest follow-up report of an acute exogenous LP patient and the only case that demonstrates non-resolving abnormalities in a pediatric patient after a single acute episode of mineral oil aspiration.

Diffuse Lung Disease

Diffuse lung disease (DLD) comprises a diverse group of disorders characterized by widespread pulmonary parenchymal pathology and impaired gas exchange. While many of these disorders are categorized under the rubric of interstitial lung disease (ILD), some of these disorders involve the airspaces or peripheral airways in addition to, or rather than, the interstitium. Some of these disorders are present primarily in infancy or early childhood, while others that are prevalent in adulthood rarely occur in childhood. This chapter will review the classification of pediatric DLD and the characteristic imaging findings of specific disorders to facilitate accurate diagnosis and guide appropriate treatment of children with these disorders.

Osmotic and stimulant laxatives for the management of childhood constipation

BACKGROUND

Constipation within childhood is an extremely common problem. Despite the widespread use of osmotic and stimulant laxatives by health professionals to manage constipation in children, there has been a long standing paucity of high quality evidence to support this practice.

OBJECTIVES

We set out to evaluate the efficacy and safety of osmotic and stimulant laxatives used to treat functional childhood constipation.

SEARCH METHODS

The search (inception to May 7, 2012) was standardised and not limited by language and included electronic searching (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Functional Bowel Disorders Group Specialized Trials Register), reference searching of all included studies, personal contacts and drug companies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) which compared osmotic or stimulant laxatives with either placebo or another intervention, with patients aged 0 to 18 years old were considered for inclusion. The primary outcome was frequency of defecation. Secondary endpoints included faecal incontinence, disimpaction, need for additional therapies and adverse events.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Relevant papers were identified and the authors independently assessed the eligibility of trials. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.The Cochrane RevMan software was used for analyses. Patients with final missing outcomes were assumed to have relapsed. For continuous outcomes we calculated a mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using a fixed-effect model. For dichotomous outcomes we calculated an odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using a fixed-effect model. The chi square and I(2) statistics were used to assess statistical heterogeneity. A random-effects model was used in situations of unexplained heterogeneity

MAIN RESULTS

Eighteen RCTs (1643 patients) were included in the review. Nine studies were judged to be at high risk of bias due to lack of blinding, incomplete outcome data and selective reporting. Meta-analysis of two studies (101 patients) comparing polyethylene glycol (PEG) with placebo showed a significantly increased number of stools per week with PEG (MD 2.61 stools per week, 95% CI 1.15 to 4.08). Common adverse events in the placebo-controlled studies included flatulence, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea and headache. Meta-analysis of 4 studies with 338 participants comparing PEG with lactulose showed significantly greater stools per week with PEG (MD 0.95 stools per week, 95% CI 0.46 to 1.44), although follow up was short. Patients who received PEG were significantly less likely to require additional laxative therapies. Eighteen per cent of PEG patients required additional therapies compared to 30% of lactulose patients (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.89). No serious adverse events were reported with either agent. Common adverse events in these studies included diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and pruritis ani. Meta-analysis of 3 studies with 211 participants comparing PEG with milk of magnesia showed that the stools/wk was significantly greater with PEG (MD 0.69 stools per week, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.89). However, the magnitude of this difference is quite small and may not be clinically significant. One child was noted to be allergic to PEG, but there were no other serious adverse events reported. Meta-analysis of 2 studies with 287 patients comparing liquid paraffin (mineral oil) with lactulose revealed a relatively large statistically significant difference in the number of stools per week favouring paraffin (MD 4.94 stools per week, 95% CI 4.28 to 5.61). No serious adverse events were reported. Adverse events included abdominal pain, distention and watery stools. No statistically significant differences in the number of stools per week were found between PEG and enemas (1 study, 90 patients, MD 1.00, 95% CI -1.58 to 3.58), dietary fibre mix and lactulose (1 study, 125 patients, P = 0.481), senna and lactulose (1 study, 21 patients, P > 0.05), lactitol and lactulose (1 study, 51 patients, MD -0.80, 95% CI -2.63 to 1.03), and PEG and liquid paraffin (1 study, 158 patients, MD 0.70, 95% CI -0.38 to 1.78).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The pooled analyses suggest that PEG preparations may be superior to placebo, lactulose and milk of magnesia for childhood constipation. GRADE analyses indicated that the overall quality of the evidence for the primary outcome (number of stools per week) was low or very low due to sparse data, inconsistency (heterogeneity), and high risk of bias in the studies in the pooled analyses. Thus, the results of the pooled analyses should be interpreted with caution because of quality and methodological concerns, as well as clinical heterogeneity, and short follow up. However, PEG appears safe and well tolerated. There is also evidence suggesting the efficacy of liquid paraffin (mineral oil), which was also well tolerated.There is no evidence to demonstrate the superiority of lactulose when compared to the other agents studied, although there is a lack of placebo controlled studies. Further research is needed to investigate the long term use of PEG for childhood constipation, as well as the role of liquid paraffin.

Dysphagia and aspiration in children

Aspiration is a significant cause of respiratory morbidity and sometimes mortality in children. It occurs when airway protective reflexes fail, especially, when dysphagia is also present. Clinical symptoms and physical findings of aspiration can be nonspecific. Advances in technology can lead to early diagnosis of dysphagia and aspiration, and, new therapeutic advances can significantly improve outcome and prognosis. This report first reviews the anatomy and physiology involved in the normal process of swallowing. Next, the protective reflexes that help to prevent aspiration are discussed followed by the pathophysiologic events that occur after an aspiration event. Various disease processes that can result in dysphagia and aspiration in children are discussed. Finally, the various methods for diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia in children are reviewed.

Successful treatment of lipoid pneumonia associated with bowel obstruction by Ascaris lumbricoides

Partial bowel obstruction is a serious complication of ascariasis infestation generally treated with mineral oil. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of multiple bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) as a therapeutic strategy for reducing lung inflammation of lipoid pneumonia associated with ascariasis. The study included five children (mean age 25 months) with partial small-bowel obstruction by Ascaris lumbricoides, who underwent diagnostic bronchoalveolar lavage for assessment of refractory pneumonia. Routine biochemical, microbiological and cytological analysis were carried out in the BAL. Protein, lactate dehydrogenase and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) cytokine levels were determined in the serum before and after treatment. At admission, children consistently had respiratory symptoms, altered hematological function, increased immunoglobulin E serum level and peripheral blood eosinophilia. Chest tomography showed consolidation with air bronchogram (4/4), ground-glass infiltration (3/4) and decreased attenuation in the consolidation areas (2/4). Presence of marked pleocytosis with Sudan positive foamy alveolar macrophages, high protein and lactate dehydrogenase levels in the BAL indicated presence of mixed alveolitis. One child with extensive consolidation and air bronchogram in both lungs died before treatment. Multiple bronchoalveolar lavages efficiently removed alveolar oil deposits, restored BAL cellularity, improved clinical symptoms, radiological parameters and further reduced inflammatory reaction evidenced by marked decrease of the inflammatory cytokine, TNF-α. This study presents a therapeutic strategy for management of lung complications caused by mineral oil administration to treat intestinal bowel obstruction associated with ascariasis.

Critical illness, gastrointestinal complications, and medication therapy during enteral feeding in critically ill adult patients

Critically ill patients who are subjected to high stress or with severe injury can rapidly break down their body protein and energy stores. Unless adequate nutrition is provided, malnutrition and protein wasting may occur, which can negatively affect patient outcome. Enteral nutrition (EN) is the mainstay of nutrition support therapy in patients with a functional gastrointestinal (GI) tract who cannot take adequate oral nutrition. EN in critically ill patients provides the benefits of maintaining gut functionality, integrity, and immunity as well as decreasing infectious complications. However, the ability to provide timely and adequate EN to critically ill patients is often hindered by GI motility disorders and complications associated with EN. This paper reviews the GI complications and intolerances associated with EN in critically ill patients and provides recommendations for their prevention and treatment. It also addresses the role of commonly used medications in the intensive care unit and their impact on GI motility and EN delivery.

Imaging of Childhood Interstitial Lung Disease

The aphorism that children are not little adults certainly applies for the imaging of interstitial lung disease. Acquiring motion-free images of fine pulmonary structures at desired lung volumes is much more difficult in children than in adults. Several forms of interstitial lung disease are unique to children, and some forms of interstitial lung disease encountered in adults rarely, if ever, occur in children. Meticulous attention to imaging technique and specialized knowledge are required to properly perform and interpret chest imaging studies obtained for the evaluation of childhood interstitial lung disease (chILD). This review will address technique recommendations for imaging chILD, the salient imaging findings in various forms of chILD, and the efficacy of imaging in the diagnosis and management of chILD.

Lipoid pneumonia in 53 patients after aspiration of mineral oil: comparison of high-resolution computed tomography findings in adults and children

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in 53 patients with exogenous lipoid pneumonia and to compare the imaging features of adults and children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 35 children and 18 adults. Statistical comparisons of findings in the 2 age groups were performed using either Pearson chi2 or Fisher exact test, as appropriate, at 5% significance level.

RESULTS

The main HRCT findings included air-space consolidation, ground glass attenuation, air-space nodules, and crazy-paving pattern. Abnormalities predominated in the posterior regions of the right lung. The right lower lobe was most likely to show severe involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of air-space consolidation, the involvement of upper right lobe, and the central and posterior distribution of the lesions were more common in children, whereas the crazy-paving pattern and random localization were significantly more frequent in adults. The other findings were not different between the 2 groups.

Evolução da pneumonia lipoide exógena em crianças: aspectos clínicos e radiológicos e o papel da lavagem broncoalveolar

OBJETIVO: Descrever os aspectos da evolução da pneumonia lipoide em crianças, com base em aspectos clínicos, radiológicos e de achados no lavado broncoalveolar, enfatizando a importância diagnóstica e terapêutica da lavagem broncoalveolar. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídas 28 crianças, com idade média de 20 meses (1-108 meses) e diagnóstico de pneumonia crônica refratária a antimicrobianos e/ou TB. A maioria apresentava um fator de risco para aspiração, e todas apresentavam história de ingestão de óleo mineral para o tratamento de constipação intestinal (23/28) ou de ascaridíase complicada (5/28). A avaliação clínica e tomográfica e análises do lavado broncoalveolar foram realizadas no início do tratamento e em até 24 meses. RESULTADOS: Os sintomas mais frequentes foram taquipneia e tosse. As principais alterações radiológicas foram consolidações (23/28), infiltrado peri-hilar (13/28) e hiperinsuflação (11/28). A TC de tórax mostrou consolidações com broncograma aéreo (24/28), diminuição de atenuação nas áreas de consolidação (16/28), opacidade em vidro fosco (3/28) e padrão em mosaico (1/28). O estudo do lavado broncoalveolar apresentava macrófagos espumosos corados por Sudan, confirmando o diagnóstico da pneumonia lipoide. Após tratamento com múltiplas lavagens broncoalveolares (média = 9,6), 20 crianças tornaram-se assintomáticas, havendo normalização tomográfica em 18. CONCLUSÕES: O diagnóstico de pneumonia lipoide deve ser considerado na pneumonia crônica ou TB refratárias ao tratamento, especialmente se houver história de ingestão de óleo mineral. A broncoscopia com múltiplas lavagens broncoalveolares mostrou-se eficiente para a depuração do óleo aspirado do parênquima pulmonar e a prevenção da fibrose, contribuindo para a redução da morbidade dessa doença, que ainda é pouco diagnosticada.

Clinic and radiological improvement of lipoid pneumonia with multiple bronchoalveolar lavages

OBJECTIVE

To assess the potential role of multiple bronchoalveolar lavages (BALs) in the treatment of children with lipoid pneumonia (LP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective study included 10 children (7 female, 3 male) with LP secondary to mineral oil aspiration. The age ranged from 3 months to 7 years and 1-60 days history of mineral oil intake, with a 6 months clinic follow-up. High-resolution computer tomography (CT) was performed 1-7 days prior to treatment and 2-20 days after the last therapeutic BAL, and reviewed by two experienced chest radiologists. Oxygen saturation was measured with digital oximetry. Therapeutic BAL was performed weekly until BAL fluid was nearly transparent and the cell count returned to normal range values.

RESULTS

In all children, the initial CT scans showed multifocal bilateral consolidation involving mainly the dorsal and central regions. The areas of consolidation had foci of decreased attenuation in eight patients. Following a total of 4-10 therapeutic BALs, the CT scans returned to normal in 3 patients, improved considerably in 5, and showed only slight improvement in 2. Oxygen saturation increased from 88.8 +/- 3.4% at presentation to 96.2 +/- 0.8% after treatment (P < 0.0001). Multiple lavages reduced (P < 0.003) numbers of lipid-laden macrophages and restored BAL cellularity to normal range values.

CONCLUSION

Multiple therapeutic BAL of children with LP results in significant improvement of CT findings, oxygen saturation, restoration of BAL fluid cellularity and clinical recover without any evidence of respiratory distress at the end of treatment and 6 months after the last BAL.

Ascaridíase hepatobiliar complicada por pneumonia lipoídica

OBJETIVO: Apresentar um caso de ascaridíase hepatobiliar complicado por pneumonia lipoídica e discutir as implicações anestésicas envolvidas. DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO: Menina de dois anos de idade com ascaridíase hepatobiliar complicada por pneumonia lipoídica por aspiração e desnutrição grave, advinda de família em condições sociais precárias em zona rural, com quatro irmãos. Foi tratada com sucesso por uma combinação de lavados broncopulmonares sucessivos e cirurgia. COMENTÁRIOS: Ascaridíase biliar corresponde a cerca de 10% dos casos de complicações de ascaridíase. Apenas uma minoria precisa de tratamento cirúrgico. O uso de óleo mineral por via oral é um tratamento tradicional para a suboclusão intestinal pelo Ascaris lumbricoides, mas a broncoaspiração do óleo e a conseqüente pneumonia lipoídica representam um risco alto para o seu uso. Anestesia geral para laparotomia exploradora em pré-escolar desnutrido com pneumonia lipóide e ascaridíase biliar é uma situação pouco contemplada na literatura médica, o que exigiu um planejamento terapêutico específico.

Lipoid Pneumonia Following Aspiration of Ghee (animal fat) in an Omani Infant

We are reporting, what we believe, is the first case of biopsy proven exogenous lipoid pneumonia in an Omani infant. Exogenous lipoid pneumonia is caused by aspiration of oily products .One reason is the traditional practice of giving infants oily products (Ghee) as in our patient.