Injection sclerotherapy of rectal prolapse in children with 15 percent saline solution.

PURPOSE: A wide variety of sclerosing agents have been used in the treatment of rectal prolapse (RP) in children. We have used 15 % saline solution for the first time in the treatment. The aim of this study is to review the results of a 15 % saline solution and other sclerosing agents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 16 children with RP were treated by injection of 15 % saline solution. Under general anesthesia, the patient was placed in the lithotomy position. The left index finger was inserted into the rectum to control the position of the needle, a 20-gauge spinal needle was introduced through the perianal skin and was advanced. The saline was slowly injected, the needle was then withdrawn slightly, and the injection was continued until 2 - 3 ml of 15 % saline were injected. The injection was made into the submucosal tissue, the right perirectal area, the left perirectal area, and posterior to the rectum at 5 points. RESULTS: Conservative treatment had previously failed in all patients. Prolapse ceased in 15 (93.7 %) of the 16 children after the first injection. Only one patient required a second injection. There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: The success rates and complications of the treatment reported in the literature differ for each sclerosing agent. 15 % saline is preferable because of the high cure rate, the safety of the procedure, the easy injection, and the lack of complications.     

Morgagni hernia: an unexpected cause of respiratory complaints and a chest mass

Morgagni hernia (MH) is the least common type of congenital diaphragmatic hernias. Although its course is often asymptomatic, it may be associated with various respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. We describe 7 children with MH during a 5-year period in three pediatric centers in Turkey. All children had acute or chronic respiratory symptoms; cough was the most frequent. The diagnosis was made by posterior-anterior (PA) and lateral chest X-rays. The PA chest X-rays showed a homogenous mass in 2 and a gas-filled cystic image in 3 children in the right cardiophrenic angle. A retrocardiac homogeneous density in one child, and bilateral consolidation in lower lung areas in another child were also seen. All lateral chest X-rays showed gas-filled bowel loops above the diaphragm. The diagnosis was confirmed by barium-contrast radiograph. Four patients had five additional anomalies, i.e., ventricular septal defect, right inguinal hernia, congenital hip dislocation, pectus carinatum, and obstruction of the uretero-pelvic junction. All of the hernias were repaired by an abdominal approach. There were no complications or recurrences during follow-up. In conclusion, MH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cases of long-standing respiratory symptoms and/or when an unexplained radiological image, especially on the right cardiophrenic area, is present.     

Nonoperative treatment of traumatic pancreatic duct disruption in children with an endoscopically placed stent

The presence of ductal injury is the main determinant of consequence and a cause of significant mortality and morbidity in children with blunt pancreatic trauma. Proper treatment must be initiated on the basis of accurate anatomic diagnosis of the type and location of the injury. Computed tomography is an insufficient method for the diagnosis of the type and location of pancreatic ductal injury. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) is a reliable technique for determining the status of the pancreatic duct in children and may allow for definitive treatment of ductal injury by stenting in selected patients. There is only one study of 2 cases reporting therapeutic ERP with ductal stenting in children after blunt trauma. In this report, we present an 11-year-old child with pancreatic ductal injury who was diagnosed and treated endoscopically by stent placement, during ERP. The patient improved steadily and was discharged uneventfully. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography may be a very useful diagnostic and treatment tool in the management of main ductal disruptions.     

Paravesical abscess as an unusual late complication of inguinal hernia repair in children

PURPOSE: We analyzed pitfalls in the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of pediatric patients who had a paravesical abscess (PVA) resulting from previous inguinal hernia repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 6 children undergoing operation for PVA related to previous inguinal hernia repair between 1994 and 2002. RESULTS: All patients were male and 1.5 to 8 years old. The location of PVA was the right side of the bladder in 4 patients and the left side in 2. History showed that only 2 cases were complicated by early postoperative wound infection. Four patients were hospitalized with a relapse of symptoms following antibiotic treatment for possible urinary tract infection. The interval between initial inguinal hernia repair and the diagnosis of PVA was 6 to 48 months. Five patients had from recurrent lower urinary tract symptoms, 2 had ipsilateral groin discomfort and 1 had lower abdominal discomfort. There were swelling and tenderness at palpation of the ipsilateral groin in 5 patients not present at previous examinations. Only 1 patient had fever and leukocytosis. Urinalysis showed microscopic hematuria in all patients, of whom 2 had also leukocyturia. All patients had negative urine cultures. Ultrasound and computerized tomography findings suggested features of abscess formation at the paravesical space with concomitant focal thickening of the adjacent bladder wall. At surgery when entering the abscess cavity, thick pus and granulation tissues were débrided. Transfixing silk sutures were found to be secured to the adjacent bladder wall in 2 patients and in the area of the internal ring in 4. They were removed. The adjacent bladder walls needed no additional intervention. Biopsy specimens revealed only chronic inflammatory components. Antibiotics were continued for a mean of 7 days. Weekly ultrasound was performed to evaluate bladder wall thickening, which resolved completely within 3 to 5 weeks. Followup was 5 months to 6 years and no recurrence was noted. CONCLUSIONS: In children presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (early period) plus findings of soft tissue infection at the ipsilateral inguinal region (late period) after inguinal hernia repair clinicians should be aware of the possibility of PVA as a primary problem to avoid insufficient treatment because its definitive treatment is removal of the infected suture material.     

Evaluation of bone mineral density with dual x-ray absorptiometry for osteoporosis in children with bladder augmentation

Background/Purpose: Osteoporosis can appear as a result of metabolic acidosis in patients with bladder augmentation and total bladder replacement. These patients must be monitored for early diagnosis and osteoporosis to avoid related complications such as fracture. The current method for diagnosis of osteoporosis mainly involves bone densitometry. Dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) provides bone mineral content and bone mineral density (BMD). The purpose of this report is to determine the value of BMD measurement with DXA in the diagnosis and follow-up of osteoporosis and evaluation of response to treatment in the patients with bladder augmentation and total bladder replacement. Methods: Six patients with bladder extrophy and neurogenic bladder underwent colocystoplasty, ureterocystoplasty, and total bladder replacement. The Sigmoid colon segment was used for colocystoplasty. DXA (Hologic 2000 DXA) was used for measuring bone mineral content and density. Results for lumbar spinal BMD were expressed as the average of L1 through L4 values. Each patient's BMD was compared with the mean BMD in the young normal population (T score) and in the age- and sex-matched group (Z score). But because our patients were children, BMD was evaluated according to Z score. Arterial blood gas analysis was obtained periodically with BMD measurement. Arterial blood pH and HCO₃ levels of the patients were compared with normal values, which ranged from 7.35 to 7.45 for pH and from 22 to 27 mmol/L for HCO₃. Results: Arterial blood pH of 5 of 6 patients (83.3%) and HCO₃ levels of all patients were low. Ten BMD measurements were obtained for 6 children. One patient underwent BMD measurement 3 times, 2 patients underwent twice, and the others once. Z scores of 4 of 6 patients (66.6%) were decreased. Blood pH, HCO₃ level, and BMD of 2 patients increased after oral bicarbonate intake. Two patients had normal BMD. One of these patients had ureterocystoplasty. The other had undergone colocystoplasty but was incontinent. Conclusions: Intestinal segments have been used for bladder augmentation and total bladder replacement. Exposure of highly absorptive intestinal mucosa to urine has been associated with electrolyte abnormalities and metabolic acidosis. Hyperchloremic acidosis leads to bone demineralization. DXA provides bone mineral content and BMD for diagnosis of osteoporosis. DXA is preferred because the low radiation dose (average, 2 to 4 mrem), accuracy, low price, and short examination time. Not only can BMD confirm the diagnosis of osteoporosis, but it also can be used to monitor the course of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment. J Pediatr Surg 38:230-232.     

A treatment for biliary hypoplasia: tube cholecystostomy and irrigation.

PURPOSE: Biliary Hypoplasia (BH), characterised by a small ductal system and reduction in the number of interlobular bile ducts, has a bad prognosis. It has been claimed that other treatment methods apart from liver transplantation are not effective. Seven patients with BH underwent tube cholecystostomy, decompression and saline irrigation of the biliary tree via tube cholecystostomy. We present our treatment method, together with the early and late biochemical and histopathological results of these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of seven patients with BH were reviewed retrospectively. BH was proved by operative cholangiography. Irrigation was performed intermittently with warm saline to the biliary tract via tube cholecystostomy over two to three months. SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase (AP) and bilirubin levels were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. Histopathological findings were also evaluated. RESULTS: Median age at operation was 46 days (range 20 - 90 days). There were six males and one female. Five patients recovered completely. There was a statistical difference between preoperative and postoperative SGOT, SGPT, AP, and bilirubin levels of patients who recovered (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Similar to biliary atresia, many factors such as the patient's age, postoperative bilirubin level, histopathology of liver, treatment method, and cholangitis as a complication of the surgical procedure affect the prognosis of BH. Operation before the age of 70 days, normal bilirubin levels after operation, no cholangitis attack, intracellular and intracanalicular cholestasis, and mild mixed cellular infiltration are favourable factors. We believe that decompression and irrigation of the biliary tract is an effective treatment method for suitable cases of BH.     

Gallbladder dyskinesia: a cause of chronic abdominal pain in children.

PURPOSE: Gallbladder dyskinesia (GD) is a well-established disorder in adults, but it is not clearly defined in the paediatric population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review our experience in a group of children with chronic abdominal pain associated with impaired gallbladder emptying in the absence of cholelithiasis. METHODS: The records of sixteen patients who underwent cholecystectomy with the diagnosis of GD were evaluated retrospectively. Clinical presentation, symptoms, diagnostic studies, and the effect of cholecystectomy in alleviating abdominal complaints were investigated. RESULTS: All patients had symptoms of upper abdominal pain in the absence of other attributable causes associated with low gallbladder ejection fractions (GEF) < 35 %, during cholecystokinin-stimulated hepatobiliary scan (CCK-HBS), and free of gallstones on ultrasound (USG). Abdominal pain and nausea were the most common presenting symptoms. Mean GEF was 15.3 %. All patients underwent cholecystectomy. The histopathological diagnoses of all operated patients were consistent with chronic cholecystitis. Symptoms were completely relieved in all except two patients. CONCLUSION: GD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of recurrent abdominal pain in children. Patients with this condition present with biliary-type pain and investigations show no evidence of gallstones in the gallbladder. Performing a CCK-HBS establishes the diagnosis. Patients with an abnormal GEF (< 35 %) should undergo cholecystectomy. This procedure has been shown to be effective in curing the symptoms in over 80 % of patients. To avoid late diagnosis, CCK-HBS should be employed early in the evaluation of biliary colic with negative sonographic findings.     

Subclinic arterial and left ventricular systolic impairment in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease with preserved renal functions

The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - Subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events are common even in young normotensive patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney...     

Oxidative,inflammatory and immunologic status in children with undescended testes

Background: In order to better understand the pathogenesis of risk of future sub‐/infertility in children with undescended testes (UDT), we designed this prospective study to examine the oxidative stress, inflammatory response and autoimmunity in children with UDT. We examined the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and antisperm antibodies (ASA) in children with UDT and healthy controls. Methods: The UDT group consisted of 88 boys (aged 1–14 years, unilateral in 67 and bilateral in 21 cases), and 44 boys with normal descended testes served as a control group. Clinical evaluation revealed no testicular or other system abnormalities. MDA was used as lipid peroxidation index. IL‐6 levels were measured using a commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kit. ASA was determined with an anti‐human spermatozoa immunoglobulin G test. Results: Mean age values ± SD were 4.6 ± 3.2 in the UDT group and 4.7 ± 3.4 in the control group (P= 0.872). MDA and IL‐6 results for the UDT and control groups were significantly different (P= 0.003 and P= 0.019, respectively), but those for ASA were not (P= 0.473). The mean MDA and IL‐6 values were significantly higher in bilateral cases than the respective values in the unilateral cases (MDA: 4.03 ± 3.68 vs 3.49 ± 5.22, P= 0.015; IL‐6: 7.70 ± 6.86 vs 3.48 ± 6.50, P= 0.001) (P= 0.015). Conclusion: The results indicate that children with UDT are exposed to high levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction. This could negatively affect the future fertility in these children.