Long-Term Functional Outcomes of an Anorectal Malformation French National Cohort.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to assess long-term functional outcomes of children with anorectal malformations (ARMs) across a network of expert centers in France. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study of patients ages 6-30 years that had been surgically treated for ARM. Patient and ARM characteristics (eg, level, surgical approach) and functional outcomes were assessed in the different age groups. RESULTS: Among 367 patients, there were 155 females (42.2%) and 212 males (57.8%), 188 (51.2%) cases with, and 179 (48.8%) higher forms without, perineal fistula. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses with logistic regression showed correlation between the level of the rectal blind pouch and voluntary bowel movements (odds ratio [OR] = 1.84 [1.31-2.57], P < 0.001), or soiling (OR = 1.72 [1.31-2.25], P < 0.001), which was also associated with the inability to discriminate between stool and gas (OR = 2.45 [1.28-4.67], P = 0.007) and the presence of constipation (OR = 2.97 [1.74-5.08], P < 0.001). Risk factors for constipation were sacral abnormalities [OR = 2.26 [1.23-4.25], P = 0.01) and surgical procedures without an abdominal approach (OR = 2.98 [1.29-6.87], P = 0.01). Only the holding of voluntary bowel movements and soiling rates improved with age. CONCLUSION: This cross-sectional study confirms a strong association between anatomical status and functional outcomes in patients surgically treated for ARM. It specifically highlights the need for long-term follow-up of all patients to help them with supportive care.

Neurostimulation-guided Anal Intrasphincteric Botulinum Toxin Injection in Children With Hirschsprung Disease.

OBJECTIVES: In Hirschsprung disease (HD), despite successful surgical treatment, 50% of children experience long-term functional gastrointestinal problems, particularly chronic functional obstructive symptoms. We report our experience regarding clinical effects of neurostimulation-guided anal intrasphincteric botulinum toxin (BT) injections on postoperative obstructive symptoms attributed to a nonrelaxing anal sphincter complex in HD patients. METHODS: In this monocenter cohort study, 15 HD patients with postoperative functional intestinal obstructive symptoms received neurostimulation-guided anal intrasphincteric BT injections. Short-, medium-, and long-term effects were evaluated. The Bristol stool form scale was used to assess stool consistency, and the Jorge-Wexner (JW) score to assess fecal continence. RESULTS: The median age at first injection was 4 years. In the short-term, a significant improvement in stool consistency was noted in 12 of 14 patients (P = 0.0001) and JW score decreased for 14 of 15 patients (P = 0.001). In the medium-term, JW score significantly decreased for all patients (P = 0.0001), with an improvement of 50% or more for 10 patients (66.7%). In the long term, 83.3% of patients had normal stool consistency and JW score was <3 for all. Recurrent enterocolitis decreased from 86.7% to 8.3%. A complete resolution of all symptoms without further medication was observed in 66.7% of patients in the long term. CONCLUSIONS: Intrasphincteric BT injection was a safe, effective, and durable option for the management of postoperative functional intestinal obstructive symptoms in HD. The use of neurostimulator guidance for specific delivery of BT to muscular fibers of nonrelaxing anal sphincter complex takes into consideration the variability of patient's anatomy secondary to curative surgery.

[Ovarian Sertoli-Leydig tumor: A tricky tumor]. / La tumeur de Sertoli-Leydig ovarienne : une tumeur qui peut être piégeuse.

We report the case of a 15 years old teenage girl presenting with a primary amenorrhea and hypervirilisation symptoms. The clinical assessement found a 16cm wide heterogenous ovarian mass testosteronemia and alpha-foeto protein levels were increased. On gross exam the tumor was solid and cystic, multilocular containing serous and mucinous liquids. Microscopically, there was a sertoli cells rich solid area in which the cells had a trabecular and nested organization with Leydig cells between them and there was also a cystic area made of glandular structures lined with an intestinal muco-secreting epithelium. Next to these area, there were Sertoli cells and an oedematous stroma. The immunostaining showed that the Sertoli cells expressed, among others, the inhibine and the glands expressed the cytokeratins 7 and 20. A Sertoli and Leydig cells tumor of intermediate differentiation with heterologous elements diagnostic was made. This is a rare tumor, representing less than 0.5% of ovary tumors. Well differentiated tumors are not frequent. In one third of the cases, there are hypervirilisation symptoms, the imaging exams will serve to narrow the diagnosis and to do a full work-up to establish an extension. There are several histologic sub types caracterised by the existence of retiforms structures or heterologous elements. There are no specific immunostainings, this will only help to narrow the diagnosis and rule out some hypothesis. There are no guidelines for the management of the patients, indeed each center has its own practices. Those tumors have quite a good prognosis thanks to their early diagnosis at a stade where they are still confined to the ovary.

[Girls' abdominal pains and gynaecological emergencies]. / Douleurs abdominales de l'enfant et urgences gynécologiques.

Among many causes of abdominal pain in children, gynaecological ones have to be systematically considered in even no pubescent girls. Diagnosis leans on physical and US examinations and has to screen first urgent causes before frequent ones. Rare but urgent are ovarian torsions either on a normal ovary or an underlying ovarian tumor, an earlier surgery may avoid oophorectomy. Hematocolpos linked to imperforate hymen is the most common obstructive congenital abnormality of the female genital tract and the diagnosis is easy with inspection of external genitalia. Ovarian tumors are infrequent and most often begnin but torsion, rupture or bleeding complications causes acute abdominal pains. Dysmenorrhea is the most common cause of abdominal pain in pubescent girls. In adolescents, genital tract infections and rare ectopic pregnancy have also to be mentioned.

Quality of life and neuropsychological development at school age in Hirschsprung's disease.

PURPOSE: To determine the quality of life and neuropsychological development of school-aged children with Hirschsprung's disease. METHODS: In this observational monocentric study, a multidisciplinary team prospectively assessed quality of life, neuropsychometric development and bowel functional outcomes. This study was registered on ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT03406741). Kidscreen and VSP-A questionnaires assessed the quality of life and were compared to the reference population (Eurostat database). Intelligence, attention and executive functions, perceptual organization and memory were evaluated using the Wechsler Children's Intelligence Scale, the NEuroPSYchological assessment, and the Rey figure test. Bowel functional outcomes were obtained using the Krickenbeck score. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were included, with a mean age of 10.25 years. The children's Kidscreen-assessed quality of life index was higher than the reference population (p = 0.01). The Full-Scale Intelligent Quotient was dissociated in 64% of children. The Perceptional Reasoning Index and the Processing Speed Index were observed at lower levels. There were no disturbances in executive functions. A satisfactory bowel functional outcome was noted in 46.7% of children. CONCLUSION: Children with Hirschsprung's disease have been shown to have subtle decreased performances in some areas of intelligence. Performing a neuropsychological assessment upon entering elementary school could help to detect these specific learning disabilities. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prognosis study.

Malnutrition, a rare form of child abuse: diagnostic criteria.

Infantile malnutrition is often difficult to diagnose as it is rarely observed in industrialized countries. It may be associated with physical violence or occur in isolation. The essential clinical sign is height and weight retardation, but malnutrition also causes a variety of internal and bone lesions, which lead to neuropsychological sequelae and death. We report a rare case of death by malnutrition in a female child aged 6 1/2 months. The infant presented height and weight growth retardation and internal lesions related to prolonged protein-energy malnutrition (fat and muscle wasting, thymic atrophy, liver steatosis) resulting in a picture of marasmus or kwashiorkor. We detail the positive and negative criteria that established the diagnosis of abuse, whereas the parents had claimed a simple dietary error.

Evaluation of transcutaneous electrical posterior tibial nerve stimulation for the treatment of fecal and urinary leaks in children: preliminary results.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) for the treatment of fecal and urinary incontinence in children with malformations of the bowel or neurological pathologies. INTRODUCTION: Treatment of fecal and urinary leaks, in cases of congenital malformations remains a challenge. Recent studies in adults have shown the effectiveness of PTNS. METHOD: Eight children: 4 with anorectal malformations, 3 with neurological causes (1 medullary lipoma, 1 Arnold Chiari malformation, 1 sacrococcygeal teratoma) and 1 with Hirschsprung's disease presenting with serious anal incontinence, despite extensive bowel management during at least 2 years, were treated with PTNS. Six children had associated urinary leaks. Jorge-Wexner score for defecation and Schurch score for urine were used before treatment and after the second and sixth months of stimulation. RESULTS: After six months, five patients had no more fecal leakage, two patients were improved and one did not respond. Five out of the 6 patients with urinary leaks were continent at 6 months. CONCLUSION: PTNS is a noninvasive technique and painless modality which seems to be effective for the treatment of fecal and urinary leaks in children even with congenital digestive pathologies or neurological malformations. These results will be confirmed in a prospective study.