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ABSTRACTS
children should be considered malignant until proved otherwise. Thus wide excisional biopsy is preferred to smaller biopsy, except where the growth is believed to be of lymphatic origin such as in Hodgkin’s disease or Ewing’s sarcoma. -Edward J. Berman
Tietze’s Syndrome (Chondro-osteopathia Costalis Tuberosa) in Children. H.-R. Wiedemann. Helv. Paed. Acta 27:2X32
(April), 1972. Frequently seen in adults, Tietze’s syndrome (also called chondroosteopathia costalis tuberosa), a benign tumor, is rare in young children. There have been only six cases published in the literature. A seventh case is reported in this paper. The first child of healthy parents, a z%-yr-old girl presented with a round, plum-sized, firm swelling on the right fourth costochondral junction. Seven months after excision of the lesion, two similar manifestations appeared on the first and Afth right costochondral junction, but were not treated. One year later the girl was well and free of symptoms. After a short review of Tietze’s syndrome as reported in the literature, the author emphasizes that pediatricians should be aware of the background of the syndrome, to prevent unnecessary interventions as well as to reassure patient and parents. -C. Bretscher
Severe Airway Obstruction Caused by Mediastinal Displacement After Right Pneumonectomy in a Child. A Case Report. H. D. Adams, F. L. Junod, E. Aberdeen, and J. Johnson. J. Thorac. Cardiovast. Surg. 63:534-539 (April), 1972. A 6%yr-old boy had a right pneumonectomy for congenital cystic disease of the lung. Over the next 5 mo he deveIoped a marked mediastinal shift, causing severe airway obstruction. His obstruction and symptoms were relieved by shifting the mediastinum back to the midline by filling the left hemithorax with Lucite balls. It was postulated that a similar approach might be of value for the infant with right-lung agenesis who is having symptoms of airThe article includes 18 way obstruction. references.-Thomas M. Horder
Bronchopleural Fistula Following Intrauterine Transfusion. If. V. Price, Joan Andrews, and K. M. Laurence. Thorax 27386-388 (May), 1972. A male infant given intrauterine transfusion for severe hemolytic disease of the newborn died, despite intensive therapy, 7 days after birth, having developed a tension pneumothorax. Hypoglycemia was a complicating feature. Necropsy revealed a large bronchopleural fistula in the right lower lobe of the pneumonic lungs. A subdural hematoma was also found and there was widespread hemosiderin staining of viscera. There was little doubt that the bronchopleural fistula was the result of a misplaced intrauterine transfusion. It is suggested that lobectomy might be considered when more conservative treatment of this complication appears inadequate. -John F. R. Bentley Malfunction of the Intact Diaphragm in Infants and Children. Charles Garbaccio, Michael T. Gyepes, and Eric W. Fonkalsrud. Arch. Surg. 105:57 (July), 1972.
This is a study of six patients, three of whom had true eventration of the diaphragm and two who sustained phrenic nerve injury at birth. One infant had phrenic nerve agenesis associated with phocomelia and agenesis of the left lower lobe of the lung. Phrenic plication produced immediate reIief of respiratory distress.-Edward 7. Bermnn
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AND GREAT VESSELS
Cardiovascular Surgical Emergencies in the First Year of Life. S. Levitsky and A. Ft. Hastfeiter. Surg. Clin. N. Amer. 52:61 (February), 1972. Cardiovascular deaths in the first year of life are usually secondary to three major pathophysiologic mechanisms : severe tissue hypoxia due to cyanosis, severe congestive heart failure, and low cardiac output. These three pathologic groups represent the indications for surgery in the first year of life when medical management is no longer effective. The authors detail their technique for preoperative preparation with fluid and