Perianal anatomy in non-abused preschool children

The purpose of this study was to describe the normal variation in perianal anatomy in preschool children, selected for non-abuse, and to compare the findings in two examination positions. A letter of invitation was sent to 3773 children, after which 305 children (103 boys and 202 girls) were recruited. Inclusion in the study was based on self-selection, whereby parents who did not suspect any occurrence of sexual abuse of their child gave informed consent to participate. The mean age of the children was 5.63 y (range: 5.13-6.75). An anal examination was performed in the left lateral position (LLP) and the prone knee-chest position (KCP), for approximately 30 s each. A colposcope and a camera were used. All data were systematically analysed for gender differences, and a paired sample test was used to compare findings in LLP and KCP. Venous congestion in LLP and external anal dilatation in both positions were significantly more common in girls, while midline depressions and smooth areas (both positions) were significantly more common in boys. External and total anal dilatation, midline smooth areas and depressions and the occurrence of a prominent anal verge were significantly more common in the KCP. The finding of total anal dilatation was rare. CONCLUSION: We observed several gender and position differences in perianal anatomy, and most of these findings seem to be related to structure and tone in the anal muscles.     

Gastric metastases from esophageal cancer

Gastric metastases from esophageal cancer are seldom diagnosed antemortem. Two patients who had endoscopically detected gastric metastases from esophageal cancer are reported. One patient had a metastasis developing 6 months after radiation therapy; the other developed metastasis after surgical resection of the primary tumor.     

Medication induced esophageal injury

Five patients of medication-induced esophageal injury are reported. A history of ingestion of medications preceding the onset of dysphagia was obtained in all patients. Endoscopy revealed localised mucosal ulceration with surrounding edematous mucosa at the level of the aortic arch in four, and in the retro-cardiac esophagus in one patient. The medications involved were sustained release potassium chloride, doxycycline, ibuprofen, and an unidentified antibiotic and antihypertensive (one each). Healing of the esophageal ulcers was confirmed in all the patients by endoscopy.     

Outpatient dilation of anastomotic strictures of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Anastomotic upper gastrointestinal strictures in 32 patients were dilated on an outpatient basis. Strictures had developed following resection-anastomosis of the esophagus in 27, total esophagectomy in two and total/partial gastrectomy in three patients. Patients with benign anastomotic strictures (group A; n = 21) presented within 6 (median 2) months of surgery while those with recurrent tumors at the site of anastomosis (group B; n = 11) presented 7 (median 14) months later. Dilation using Savary-Gilliard (n = 24), through the scope balloon (n = 2) and Eder Puestow (n = 1) dilators or a combination of these (n = 1) was possible in 20 (95%) patients in group A and 8 (73%) patients in group B. All the 28 patients had relief of dysphagia. Median duration of response after first dilation was 4.2 and 1.2 months in groups A and B respectively. Nature of previous surgery, length of the remaining stomach and recurrence of tumor at anastomosis appeared to affect the technique and outcome of dilation. Savary-Gilliard dilators can be used in a majority of patients except those with short stomachs where through the scope balloon dilators may be preferred.     

ENDOMETRIOMA OF THE LIVER

Hepatic endometriosis is extremely rare. The diagnosis is often missed and treatment is delayed. A 37-year-old woman was referred to the gynaecology department with vague abdominal pains. She had a past history of pelvic endometriosis and hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Further investigations in due course confirmed it to be endometriosis of the liver. She was eventually referred to the hepatobiliary unit, almost three years after her first presentation, where she was operated on with good results.     

Successful Treatment of Bone Marrow Failure in Gaucher's Disease with Low-dose Modified Glucocerebrosidase

We report the beneficial effects of enzyme replacement therapywith mannose-terminated human glucocerebrosidase (‘Ceredase’)in a patient suffering from transfusion-dependent bone marrowfailure due to Gaucher's disease. Treatment with low-dose enzymeinfusions, given twice weekly, rapidly reversed the haematopoieticfailure and incapacitating skeletal disease. It appears likelythat prior splenectomy favourably influenced the response tothis therapy.