Cutaneous calicostomy for salvage urinary diversion

ObjectiveWe describe a salvage technique for urinary diversion in the face of an obstructed, undilated upper urinary tract utilized in the management of a premature newborn infant with bilateral renal candidiasis, namely cutaneous calicostomy.MethodsAn 850-g 24 weeks' gestation premature male infant developed obstructive nephropathy as a result of renal candidiasis. Systemic therapy with bilateral nephrostomy drainage and amphotericin B irrigations was repeatedly unsuccessful in eradicating the candiduria and fungal balls. Underlying bilateral proximal collecting system obstructions complicated the situation by rendering ureterostomy or pyelostomy impossible. Subsequent flank exploration was performed bilaterally, and bilateral cutaneous calicostomies were performed.ResultsThe patient's urinary tract was successfully diverted and the fungal balls eradicated. Renal ultrasounds and antegrade nephrostograms through the cutaneous calicostomy stomas revealed the procedure to be successful. Unfortunately, the patient eventually died from overwhelming non-urologic sepsis approximately 3 months postoperatively.ConclusionsAlthough systemic antifungal therapy with bilateral nephrostomy drainage has been shown to be successful in the treatment of obstructive uropathy due to renal candidiasis, surgical intervention is necessary when recurrent sepsis with candiduria persists. In the event that underlying collecting system obstruction is also present, cutaneous calicostomy is an option to consider in the treatment of this disease.     

Gastric perforation presenting as bilateral scrotal pneumatoceles

Although processus vaginalis is patent in the majority of newborn infants, the expression of an intraabdominal pathology such as gastrointestinal perforation or bleeding in the scrotum is very rare. In a large percentage of neonates with the gastrointestinal perforation, pneumoperitoneum is absent. In any case, it may not be detected in early radiographs. We report a newborn baby who presented with bilateral scrotal pneumatoceles as a first sign of pneumoperitoneum due to gastric perforation. Plain x-ray of the abdomen was normal except for pneumoscrotum, but contrast study revealed gastric perforation.     

Transvesicoscopic cross-trigonal ureteroneocystostomy in children: a single-center experience

PurposeTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of transvesicoscopic ureteric reimplantation in children.Patients and methodsSeventeen ureteric units in 11 patients underwent a transvesicoscopic ‘Cohen’ ureteroneocystostomy in 2003–2007 and the results were retrospectively analyzed. There were four boys and seven girls. All patients had vesicoureteric reflux (VUR), except for one with paraostial diverticula. Six patients underwent bilateral and five unilateral transvesicoscopic reimplantation (a total of 17 units).ResultsThe procedure was successfully completed in all patients. Mean operation time was 217 min in unilateral cases and 306 min in bilateral cases without perioperative complications, except for pneumoperitoneum development in two cases. In the early postoperative period, two patients developed macroscopic hematuria. Mean hospital stay was 3.8 days (3–5 days), except for one patient who suffered from urinary tract infection and needed longer hospitalization. Mean follow-up period was 4.5 years (3–7 years). One patient with bilateral VUR had passive unilateral grade I VUR on postoperative cystogram, giving a success rate of 91% (94% of ureters). This patient was followed conservatively. One patient had recurrent urinary tract infections without reflux.ConclusionTransvesicoscopic cross-trigonal ureteroneocystostomy can be safely performed with a high success rate in children.     

Ilio-psoas abscess in the paediatric population: treatment by US-guided percutaneous drainage

Background. Image-guided percutaneous drainage has been shown to be a safe and effective alternative to surgery in the management of psoas abscess in adults and adolescents. There is little information on its use in children. Objective. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of US-guided percutaneous needle aspiration and catheter drainage of ilio-psoas abscesses. Materials and methods. A retrospective review of 14 children with 16 ilio-psoas abscesses (10 pyogenic and 4 tuberculous) who were treated by US-guided percutaneous needle aspiration (n = 5) or catheter drainage (n = 9) along with appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Results. Percutaneous treatment was successful in 10 of the 14 patients; all showed clinical improvement within 24–48 h of drainage and subsequent imaging demonstrated resolution of the abscess cavities. Surgery was avoided in all of these ten patients except one, who underwent open surgical drainage of ipsilateral hip joint pus. Of the other four patients, two had to undergo surgical drainage of the ilio-psoas abscesses after failure of percutaneous treatment, one improved with antibiotics after needle aspiration failed to yield any pus, and one died of continuing staphylococcal septicaemia within 24 h of the procedure. There were no procedural complications. Conclusions. Percutaneous drainage represents an effective alternative to surgical drainage as a supplement to medical therapy in the management of children with ilio-psoas abscesses. Received: 12 June 1997 Accepted: 9 January 1998     

CO2 pneumoperitoneum increases survival in mice with polymicrobial peritonitis.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic techniques are commonly used in patients with bacterial peritonitis. CO2 is known to suppress local and systemic inflammatory responses. Nonetheless, an active immune system is needed to contain bacterial contamination of the abdominal cavity. Therefore, we investigated the early and late effects of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on the ability of mice to overcome polymicrobial peritonitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Male C57/B6 mice were subjected to pneumoperitoneum with CO2 or helium, or underwent a midline laparotomy. In a first set, changes of arterial blood gases were monitored. In further experiments, polymicrobial peritonitis was induced after 1 h of pneumoperitoneum/laparotomy by cecal ligation and puncture. In a second set of experiments polymicrobial peritonitis was induced 4 h prior to exposure to pneumoperitoneum/laparotomy. After the interventions, survival rates (early survival: 6 to 48 h; late survival > 48 h) were monitored for 7 days. RESULTS: There was no significant effect of pneumoperitoneum or laparotomy on arterial blood gas parameters. CO2 pneumoperitoneum significantly reduced the early (6 to 48 h) mortality of subsequent peritonitis after CO2 pneumoperitoneum compared to laparotomy (2/20 vs. 9/25; p < 0.05). The protective effect did not reach significance after 7 days (late mortality). The application of a helium peritoneum did not show any beneficial effect. Application of a CO2 pneumoperitoneum during polymicrobial peritonitis significantly reduced overall mortality (p < 0.05) compared to laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS: The modulation of immune responses by CO2, but not helium pneumoperitoneum, has a significant positive impact on survival during abdominal sepsis in a mouse model. Thus, application of a CO2 pneumoperitoneum may be beneficial in conditions with bacterial contamination of the abdominal cavity.     

Neonatal pneumoperitoneum: a critical appraisal of its causes and subsequent management from a developing country

Background  

The diagnosis and management of neonatal pneumoperitoneum revolves around necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in most of the published literature. Although NEC remains the major cause of pneumoperitoneum in a neonate, there are several other causes leading to free air in the peritoneal cavity. A number of case reports have appeared describing pneumoperitoneum in a newborn due to rupture of one particular organ, but there have been only few collective reviews on the subject. The present study shares the experience with neonates admitted with a diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum in a pediatric surgical center of a developing country. The various causes of pneumoperitoneum in a newborn, their management and subsequent outcome are described.     

Comparison of thoracoscopic drainage with open thoracotomy for treatment of paediatric parapneumonic empyema

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of thoracoscopic drainage with open drainage of empyema in children. A retrospective case history audit was done of children presenting to a single major paediatric centre who underwent thoracoscopy drainage and decortication or open decortication and drainage (thoracotomy) between January 2000 and September 2002. Time to resolution of infection, duration of intercostal catheter (ICC) drainage, postoperative morphine requirements, and length of hospital admission were compared as primary measures of outcome. Thirty-three patients, 17 male and 16 female, aged between 1 month and 21 years were included in the study. Median age at surgery was 2.6 years. The location of the empyema was right-sided in 17 patients and left-sided in 16 patients. The empyema was drained by thoracoscopy in 11 patients, and 22 patients underwent thoracotomy. Two patients had thoracoscopy converted to thoracotomy for late-stage disease requiring greater surgical access. There were no differences between treatment groups with respect to duration of ICC drainage (p=0.6), duration of fever (p=0.6), length of stay (p=0.9), or postoperative morphine use (p=0.2). However, overall pain scores were lower in the thoracoscopy group, particularly on days 2 and 3; this approached statistical significance (p=0.07). This study has demonstrated that thoracoscopic drainage is an effective procedure for treating empyema in children. It is less invasive than open thoracotomy and is associated with less patient discomfort and less severe pain as measured by objective pain scores. We advocate thoracoscopic drainage for the majority of patients with empyema, except for those with advanced disease.     

Laparoscopic inguinal herniotomy in bladder exstrophy: A new solution to an old problem?

ObjectiveLaparoscopy is now the established management for infants with inguinal hernia at our institution. Open inguinal herniotomy in children with bladder exstrophy can be a difficult operation and is associated with a high rate of recurrence (15%). Here, we report our initial experience with laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernia in three children with bladder exstrophy.Materials and methodsThree boys with repaired bladder exstrophy presented with inguinal hernia during follow up. The clinical presentation was bilateral in one and findings at surgery were bilateral open internal rings in two. Under general anaesthesia, pneumoperitoneum of 10 mmHg was raised with a Hasson port at the umbilicus. Two further instruments were inserted in the right and left flanks without ports. Two 4/0 Prolene™ purse string sutures were placed to securely close the internal ring. The umbilicus was closed with an absorbable suture, and the skin incisions were closed with Indermil Glue™.ResultsAll infants made an uneventful recovery, being discharged within 24 h. There were no complications. There has been no sign of recurrence during a mean follow up of 16 months.ConclusionLaparoscopic inguinal herniotomy is a technically straightforward and effective way to treat inguinal hernias in children with bladder exstrophy.     

Site of Coronary Sinus Drainage Does Not Significantly Affect Coronary Flow Reserve in Patients Long Term After Fontan Operation

This study was designed to investigate the impact of postoperative coronary sinus drainage pressure on coronary flow reserve (CFR) assessed by Doppler guidewire in patients long term after Fontan operation. Twenty-nine patients (median age, 17.4 years female, 11) at a median of 10.6 years after Fontan operation were examined with intracoronary Doppler guidewire during cardiac catheterization. Fourteen patients had coronary sinus (CS) drainage to the systemic venous atrium and 15 patients had CS drainage to the pulmonary venous atrium after Fontan operation. Median CS drainage pressure was significantly higher in systemic venous CS drainage compared to pulmonary venous CS drainage (11 vs 5 mmHg, p < 0.0001). Median CFR values for the right and left coronary artery did not differ significantly with respect to CS drainage. There was a positive correlation between coronary flow reserve and pulmonary arteriolar resistance (p < 0.05) in multivariate regression analysis. The site of coronary drainage into the systemic atrium or the pulmonary venous atrium did not significantly affect CFR. Our data do not support a surgical strategy of elective redirection of coronary sinus blood to a low-pressure compartment but support an early staged approach. The positive correlation between CFR and pulmonary resistance demands further evaluation.     

Central venous catheter‐related blood stream infection with pyomyositis due to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in a patient with aplastic anemia

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia causes pneumonia and CVC‐CRBSI in HSCT. However, there are few reports of pyomyositis due to S. maltophilia. We report a patient with CRBSI and pyomyositis due to S. maltophilia after allogeneic HSCT who was successfully treated by removing the CVC and antibiotics without surgical drainage. Removing the CVC and the combined antibiotics without preventing the neutrophil engraftment could avoid surgical drainage in pyomyositis due to S. maltophilia when detected in an early stage.     

Separation of renal fragments by a urinoma after renal trauma: percutaneous drainage accelerates healing

Background. Two boys suffered blunt abdominal trauma resulting in renal injury. In both cases the damaged kidney was fractured through its mid-portion, and the upper and lower fragments of the kidney became widely separated by a urinoma. Materials and methods. US-guided drainage of the urinoma resulted in immediate apposition of the renal fragments. The drains were left on free drainage by gravity for 1 week before removal. Results. The urinomas did not reaccumulate and follow-up DMSA scans showed good residual function. Conclusion. We suggest that drainage of urinomas that separate renal fragments should be considered since this may accelerate healing and help preserve renal function. Received: 8 April 1998 Accepted: 12 January 1999     

Hyperechoic caudate nuclei: a potential mimic of germinal matrix hemorrhage

Background. We have encountered bilateral hyperechoic foci in the region of the germinal matrix on cranial sonograms in neonates that have an appearance similar to germinal matrix hemorrhage (GMH), but are unusual either due to the age of the patient at presentation or to the evolution of the foci on follow-up. We believe that these findings represent hyperechoic caudate nuclei (HCN) rather than GMH. Objective. To demonstrate that bilateral HCN can be seen on cranial sonography in neonates and can mimic bilateral GMH. Materials and methods. The cranial sonograms were reviewed in nine neonates (three term and six premature) who had HCN identified on at least one sonographic examination. CT (two patients) and MR (one patient) studies were also reviewed, as well as the neuropathological examination in one patient who died and had an autopsy. The patients' medical records were reviewed to identify any clinical markers for significant risk of perinatal ischemia. Results. There was clinical evidence for risk of ischemia in five of the nine neonates. All nine patients had bilateral HCN on the initial or follow-up studies. Small cysts were seen sonographically in two patients. CT was normal in one patient and revealed a small unilateral focus of increased attenuation in one infant (very small compared to the bilateral HCN). MR was normal in one patient. Histopathological examination of the brain was normal in the one patient who died and had an autopsy. Conclusion. Hyperechoic caudate nuclei can occur in neonates either as a normal finding, or possibly related to ischemia, and should not always be attributed to GMH. Received: 15 September 1997 Accepted: 21 November 1997     

Renal Cell Carcinoma in Children with Diffuse Cystic Hyperplasia of the Kidneys

We report the clinical, pathologic, and genetic features of renal malignancy in two children with diffuse cystic hyperplasia. Both presented with massive bilateral nephromegaly. Neither had a family history or clinical findings suggestive of tuberous sclerosis or von Hippel–Lindau disease. The kidneys of both children were extensively replaced by tubulocystic hyperplasia with large eosinophilic epithelial cells. The masses of hyperplastic tissue were nodular, compressing remnants of uninvolved renal parenchyma. Tubulopapillary carcinoma was present in both children, one of whom had bilateral multicentric carcinoma. No loss of heterozygosity was detected in the tumors at the TSC1, TSC2, or VHL gene regions, and no alterations in the VHL gene were detected using single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. These cases of bilateral renal enlargement with diffuse cystic hyperplasia appear to represent a new clinical syndrome that may warrant bilateral nephrectomy because of the risk of malignancy. Received February 13, 1998; accepted May 8, 1998.     

Radiological evaluation of pulmonary vein obstruction including two examinations by magnetic resonance imaging

Congenital obstruction of the pulmonary vein without anomalous drainage can cause long-standing pulmonary congestion and pulmonary arterial hypertension, and it may include stenosis of individual pulmonary veins and pulmonary vein atresia. We reviewed seven cases of pulmonary vein obstruction, five of which were accompanied by other cardiac anomalies. Right pulmonary veins were involved in all seven cases; one case was bilateral. Pulmonary veins were occluded totally in five and partially in three lungs. Diagnostic pulmonary catheterization and angiography were performed. Chest radiographs of total occlusion cases showed decreased lung volume, features of pulmonary edema, interstitial lesions, and pleural changes, which were quite specific, whereas pulmonary venous dilatation was the dominant finding in partial obstruction cases. Pulmonary perfusion scan (n=3) showed total perfusion defects in the cases with total occlusion of pulmonary veins. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (n=2) demonstrated totally occluded pulmonary veins at the venoatrial junction in two lungs and membranous focal obstruction in one lung. Two children underwent pneumonectomy and had the diagnosis histologically confirmed. Although catheterization and angiography are essential for the diagnosis of pulmonary vein obstruction, MR imaging is a useful adjunct.     

Exposure to carbon dioxide and helium reduces in vitro proliferation of pediatric tumor cells

Background: Minimally invasive techniques are increasingly applied to children with malignant tumors. We showed previously that CO₂ used for pneumoperitoneum modulates the function of macrophages and polymorphonuclear cells via direct effects and via acidification. Numerous in vitro and small animal model studies also confirmed an alteration of the behavior of several types of adult tumor cells by CO₂. The impact of CO₂ and other gases used for pneumoperitoneum on the behavior of various pediatric tumors has not yet been determined. Methods: Cell lines of neuroblastoma (IMR 32, SK-N-SH, Sy5y), lymphoma (Daudi), hepatoblastoma (Huh 6), hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep G2), and rhabdomyosarcoma (Te 671) were incubated for 2 h. Incubation was performed with 100% CO₂, 100% helium, and 5% CO₂ as control. Cell proliferation was determined by the MTT-assay [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] by actively growing cells to produce a blue formazan product. The MTT-assay was performed before, directly after incubation, and daily for 4 days. Vitality of the cells was determined by trypan blue. The extracellular pH during incubation was measured during gas exposition every 10 min using Bayer Rapid Lab 855. Results: CO₂ for 2 h significantly decreased the proliferation of neuroblastoma, lymphoma, hepatoblastoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma cells. This decrease persisted over 4 days in neuroblastoma, lymphoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The CO₂ had no impact on hepatoblastoma and rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Helium had a similar effect on neuroblastoma cells. After 4 days, a significant decrease of cell activity was found in two neuroblastoma cell lines and in hepatoblastoma cells. Helium had no effect on lymphoma and hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The extracellular pH was 6.2 during incubation with CO₂, and 7.6 during incubation with helium. Conclusion: CO₂ and helium may affect the proliferation of some pediatric tumor cell lines in vitro. However, some of these effects and the impact on the extracellular pH are differential. The role of pH modulation, hypoxia and direct effects of gases remain to be investigated before a general recommendation on the use of minimally invasive techniques in pediatric oncology can be given.     

Outcome of parapneumonic empyema

Objective: Empyema thoracis is known to have variable age group affection, causative agents and controversy regarding primary mode of management. To look into current demography, bacteriology and treatment outcome.Methods: Prospective study made on admitted cases of parapneumonic empyema from July 2001 to June 2003. All cases were treated with chest tube drainage, parenteral antibiotics or thoracotomy in multiloculated or non-improving cases.Results: 0.8% (C.I. 0.6–1.0) of total pediatric admission had empyema, who were more likely to be females (P<0.05), under-weight (P<0.05) compared to children admitted for other reasons.Staphylococcus aureus is still the commonest isolate (13.2%). All cases received antibiotics prior to hospitalisation. Majority of cases (90.5%) could be successfully managed with antibiotics and chest tube drainage alone. 9.4% cases needed thoracotomy. 5.8% cases needed salvage thoracotomy following non-improvement with chest tube drainage. Fever remission time and duration of hospital stay were comparable in both groups. Thoracotomy cases required antibiotics for shorter period (P=0.04). Two cases died due to reasons other than mode of management. Radiological and lung function recovery was excellent in most of the cases.Conclusion: Chest tube drainage is a safe, efficacious primary method of empyema management.     

Hand Function in a Population-Based Sample of Young Children with Unilateral or Bilateral Cerebral Palsy

Aim: To describe aspects of hand function in a population-based sample of young children with clinical signs of unilateral or bilateral cerebral palsy (CP). Method: A cross-sectional study with data from national CP registers in Norway. Manual ability was classified with the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) or Mini-MACS. Hand use in bimanual activities was measured with the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) for unilateral CP or the newly developed Both Hands Assessment (BoHA) for bilateral CP. Results: From 202 children, 128 (57 females) were included (Mini-MACS/MACS levels I–V, mean age 30.4 months; SD = 12.1). Manual abilities were distributed across levels I–III in unilateral CP and levels I–V in bilateral CP. Variations in AHA and BoHA units were large. One-way ANOVA revealed associations between higher AHA or BoHA units and Mini-MACS/MACS levels of higher ability (p < 0.01) and higher age (p < 0.04). Conclusions: Compared with young children with unilateral CP, children with bilateral CP showed greater variation in Mini-MACS/MACS levels, and both sub-groups showed large variations in AHA or BoHA units. The classifications and assessments used in this study are useful to differentiate young children's ability levels. Such information is important to tailor upper limb interventions to the specific needs of children with CP.     

Cecal perforation presenting as abdominal-wall necrotizing fasciitis

 The preoperative diagnosis of a cecal perforation associated with Salmonella infection as a cause of abdominal-wall necrotizing fasciitis (AWNF) is clinically difficult. Computed tomography of the abdomen is helpful, and can detect the combined presence of a pneumoscrotum and pneumoperitoneum. Its presence indicates a patent processus vaginalis, which acts as the primary route for the spread of the intra-abdominal infectious process into the abdominal wall. An exploratory laparotomy should be done to confirm the presence of intra-abdominal pathology in order to avoid delayed treatment. Accepted: 21 October 1999     

Relevant factors influencing flatfoot in preschool-aged children

The aim of this study was to discuss the influence of age, gender, obesity status, joint laxity, and the W-sitting habit on flatfoot in preschool-aged children. A total of 1,598 children (833 boys and 765 girls) between 3 and 6 years of age from kindergartens in the central area of Taiwan were studied. The children were divided into a normal group (n = 733), a unilateral flatfoot group (n = 266), and a bilateral flatfoot group (n = 599), and a multinomial logistic regression model was used to analyze the data. The prevalence of flatfoot decreased significantly with increasing age: 54.5% of 3-year-old but only 21% for 6-year-old children had bilateral flatfoot. In the bilateral flatfoot group, the risk decreased with increased age, increased with increasing weight beyond the normal range, and was higher for boys than girls. Age and obesity status were not significantly influential in the unilateral flatfoot group. Children with higher joint laxity and a habit of W-sitting also experienced higher risk in both flatfoot groups. In conclusion, this study demonstrates a significant association of age, gender, obesity status, joint laxity, and the W-sitting habit with the bilateral flatfoot in preschool-aged children. Children with unilateral flatfoot differ from those with normal feet and bilateral flatfoot. It is suggested that the unilateral flatfoot deserves special attention in future studies.     

Spontaneous neonatal gastric perforation

Over a 7-year period (1990-1997) spontaneous gastric perforation was diagnosed in five neonates. The mean gestational age and birth weight were 33/40 weeks and 1.83 kg, respectively. All patients presented with severe abdominal distention and frank pneumoperitoneum on roentgenograms. All perforations were on the anterior wall of the greater curvature and were managed by prompt laparotomy and primary closure of the perforation. No gastrostomy was used, however, peritoneal drainage was used in all cases. There was no mortality or morbidity. An attempt to understand the possible etiology together with a review of the literature is presented.