Infectious Disease
A Toddler with Abdominal Pain and Emesis
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8XW2PIn the long axis video, the appendix appears as an enlarged, non-compressible, blind-ending tubular structure (white arrow) with distinct appendiceal wall layers and lack of peristalsis. In the short axis video, the appendix appears as a target sign (yellow arrow) between the abdominal and psoas muscles. The maximal outer diameter (MOD) measures 11.8mm and the appendix wall measures 0.17mm. There is trace adjacent free fluid and echogenic periappendiceal fat. Transverse axis video and image (red arrow) demonstrate that the appendix is not compressible. These findings are consistent with acute appendicitis.
Neutropenic Fever
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8KW2KNeutropenia is a common oncologic emergency, and it frequently develops as a result of myelosuppression from chemotherapy. Neutropenia is defined as absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <1000/mm3, with severe neutropenia being defined as ANC<500/mm3. Patients with fever and neutropenia should be presumed to have infectious etiology and started on antibiotics immediately. The 48-hour mortality associated with an untreated infection is 20%-50%.