Role of serum cytokines in acute appendicitis and acute mesenteric lymphadenitis among children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The diagnostic role of serum cytokines depends on the etiology and pathogenesis of acute appendicitis (AA) and acute mesenteric lymphadenitis (AML). The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in cytokine levels between AA and AML. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of 7- to 18-year-old children were collected prospectively from October 2010 to October 2013. There were 31 patients with AA (AA group), 26 with AML (AML group), and 17 with elective non-inflammatory surgical disease (control group). Serum levels of IL-10, IL-12(p70), IL-1ß, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, MCP-1, EGF, TNF-α and white blood count (WBC) were measured three times consecutively in each group. RESULTS: The level of IL-6 and IL-10 was significantly higher in the AA group than the AML group at the first measurement (8pg/mL vs. 3.2pg/mL, P=0.000; 6.1pg/mL vs. 3.2pg/mL, P=0.005, respectively). There was a significant difference observed in time dynamics of concentration of IL-6 and MCP-1 for AA and AML. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.77 (95% CI 0.64-0.89; P=0.001) for IL-6 with a cut-off value of 4.3pg/mL (67.7% sensitivity and 76.9% specificity) for AA 1h before surgery. The AUC for WBC was 0.72 (95% CI 0.58.4-0.85; P=0.005) with a cut-off value of 10.7×103/µL (sensitivity 71.0% and specificity 46.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Serum IL-6 with a cut-off value of 4.3pg/mL and WBC with a cut-off value of 10.7×103/µL assessed together will yield more sensitivity for AA.

ROLE OF DIAGNOSTIC LAPAROSCOPY IN EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF CHRONIC ABDOMINAL PAIN IN CHILDREN.

BACKGROUND: Chronic abdominal Pain in children is a very common cause of hospital admission. Many of them are discharged without a diagnosis even after battery of investigations. Laparoscopy plays a significant role in diagnosis and management of many causes of acute and chronic abdominal pain. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of laparoscopy as an efficient diagnostic and management tool in children with chronic abdominal pain. METHODS: A descriptive, prospective case series was collected in the department of Paediatric surgery Mayo's Hospital Lahore, over the period of 5 years between Jan 2007-Dec 2013. The data of consecutive 50 patients, who were admitted in the department with the diagnosis of chronic abdominal pain, was recorded. All patients who had 2-3 admissions in hospital for last 2 months and failed to establish a definitive diagnosis after clinical examination and base line investigations underwent laparoscopy. The details of associated symptoms, finding of laparoscopy, laparoscopic procedures done, definitive diagnosis, histopathology, complications and relief of symptoms were collected and analysed and results were evaluated using SPSS-17. RESULTS: Out of 50 patients studies, 27/50 (54%) were male, 23/50 (46%) were female. Age ranged from 2-12 years, with the mean age of 7.24 year. Tuberculosis abdomen, adhesions, mesenteric lymphadenitis, appendicitis and cholecystitis were the final diagnosis. Five abdomens were found normal on laparoscopy. Complete pain relief was achieved in 30/50 (60%), reduced intensity of pain was gained in 12/50 (24%) cases while 16% (8/50) still complained of pain. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is an efficient diagnostic and treatment tool in children with chronic unexplained abdominal pain. It avoids serial examinations; prolong admission, battery of investigations and unnecessary surgeries.

[An uncommon case of purulent mesenteric lymphadenitis]. / Neobvyklý prípad mezenteriální abscedující lymfadenitidy.

The authors present a case of a middle-aged female with large isolated mesenteric lymphadenitis. Abdominal ultrasonography undertaken as a preventive assessment revealed a solid tumour mass in the left mesogastrium, sized 70x55x55 mm. A solid abdominal tumour such as a GIST or sarcoma was considered and the patient underwent elective laparoscopic surgery. The tumour was completely removed. Histopathological examination confirmed an unexpected result of nonspecific purulent mesenteric lymphadenitis. The authors discuss potential causes of mesenteric lymphadenitis.Key words: abdominal tumour mesenteric lymphadenopathy purulent lymphadenitis - solitary lymphadenopathy.

[MICROBIAL LANDSCAPE OF BILE IN PATIENTS WITH AN ACUTE PURULENT CHOLANGITIS].

Bacteriological analysis was conducted in 136 patients with an acute purulent cholangitis (APCH). The APCH causes were: choledocholithiasis--in 40 (29.9%) patients, coexistence of a common biliary duct stricture and choledocholithiasis--in 39 (28.7%), compression of external biliary ducts by the oedematous pancreatic head in secondary pancreatitis--in 15 (11%), pericholedocheal lymphadenitis--in 3 (2.2%).

Unexpected findings on laparoscopy for suspected acute appendicitis: a pro for laparoscopic appendectomy as the standard procedure for acute appendicitis.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the feasibility, cost-effectiveness, time of surgery, morbidities, and other/additional findings during laparoscopy for suspected appendicitis. METHODS: Prospective evaluation of 148 laparoscopies for suspected acute appendicitis. RESULTS: Laparoscopic appendectomy was safe and cost-effective. No appendiceal stump leaks or wound infections occurred. Of the patients, 4.7% developed intra-abdominal abscesses. Mean time of all procedures was 47 min: 42 min for simple appendectomies (n = 126), 67 min for perforated appendicitis (n = 15), and 75 min for converted procedures (n = 7). Twenty-one of 148 (14.2%) patients had unexpected findings instead of appendicitis: inflamed epiploic appendices (three times), inflammatory disorders of intestine (five times), intestinal adhesions (two times), ovarian cysts (six times: one time with mesenteric lymphadenitis, one time ruptured), tubo-ovarian abscess (one time), tubal necrosis (one time), adnexitis with mesenteric lymphadenitis (one time), and acute cholecystitis (one time). These diagnoses might have been missed during conventional open appendectomy and were, if necessary, treated during laparoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic appendectomy should be recommended as standard procedure for acute appendicitis.

[Intestinal tuberculosis of the terminal ileum causing obstructive ileus and tuberculous peritonitis and presenting numerous peritoneal small red nodules: a case report].

A 38-year-old woman suffering from lower abdominal pain was referred to our hospital. Abdominal computed tomography showed marked thickening of the terminal ileum to the cecum, localized collection of ascites, and multiple mesenteric lymphadenopathy. A barium contrast small bowel series showed solitary severe stenosis of the terminal ileum with marked swelling of the ileocecal valve, where colonoscopy could not pass through, suggesting that ileal stenosis was caused by intestinal tuberculosis. She also showed strongly positive tuberculin skin test. Laparoscopy-assisted ileocecal resection was performed for confirmation of diagnosis and removal of the stenotic intestinal lesion. Laparoscopically, numerous small red nodules scattered on the stenotic ileal serosa, peritoneum, and mesenterium. Histopathological examination revealed ileal tuberculosis causing ulcerative stricture, and mesenteric tuberculous lymphadenitis. The small red nodules were formed of hemorrhagic tuberculous nodules.

Acute Nonspecific Mesenteric Lymphadenitis: More Than "No Need for Surgery".

Acute nonspecific, or primary, mesenteric lymphadenitis is a self-limiting inflammatory condition affecting the mesenteric lymph nodes, whose presentation mimics appendicitis or intussusception. It typically occurs in children, adolescents, and young adults. White blood count and C-reactive protein are of limited usefulness in distinguishing between patients with and without mesenteric lymphadenitis. Ultrasonography, the mainstay of diagnosis, discloses 3 or more mesenteric lymph nodes with a short-axis diameter of 8 mm or more without any identifiable underlying inflammatory process. Once the diagnosis is established, supportive care including hydration and pain medication is advised. Furthermore, it is crucial to reassure patients and families by explaining the condition and stating that affected patients recover completely without residuals within 2-4 weeks.

Is mesenteric lymphadenitis a cause of ovarian reserve reduction? - Case Report.

Mesenteric lymphadenitis is a clinical condition that affects mostly children and teenagers. Its symptoms include fever, severe abdominal pain, nausea, and, in some cases, diarrhea, constipation, and acute abdomen. This paper describes the case of a 16-year-old patient with mesenteric lymphadenitis submitted to an exploratory laparoscopy for suppurative lymph nodes that evolved to a drastic reduction of ovarian reserve. Because of the patients age, she was offered cryopreservation of her ovarian tissue.

Mesenteric adenitis caused by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis presenting as an abdominal mass.

Infection by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis has become of increasing pathological importance. Patients normally present with symptoms similar to those of appendicitis, due to mesenteric adenitis. We present the case of 3 patients infected by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis who in addition to fever and abdominal pain had a palpable abdominal mass, so great was the enlargement of the mesenteric nodes. In 2 patients a laparotomy was carried out, followed by biopsy of a mesenteric lymph node. The diagnosis of Yersinia infection was confirmed by bacterial culture of the biopsied material and also by serology. In the third patient, serological studies and ultrasonic imaging of the abdomen led to early diagnosis and surgery was avoided. We suggest that a diagnosis of mesenteric adenitis due to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis should now be considered in all patients presenting with an abdominal mass, and in whom there is an appropriate clinical and epidemiological history. The diagnosis should be confirmed by abdominal ultrasound (alternatively Computerised Axial Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and serological studies. In this way, unnecessary surgery can be avoided.

[Omentitis and mesenteric lymphadenitis: is there a relationship? Apropos of 3 cases]. / Omentite ed adenomesenterite: c'è relazione? A proposito di tre osservazioni.

The authors report three cases of acute epiploitis diagnosed intraoperatively and discuss the etiopathogenetic hypotheses. They suggest a relationship between acute epiploitis and mesenteric lymphadenitis, as well as their common origin.

Agenesis of the appendix--case report.

Agenesis of the appendix is an exceedingly rare abnormality. When it does occur it may represent part of a more generalized ileocaeco-appendicular abnormality or it may occur as a localized event. A case is presented of a 23 year old lady with features of acute appendicitis in whom exploration revealed absence of the appendix and ileo-caecal lymphadenitis. The diagnosis should not be made without thorough exploration including full mobilization of the caecal area. Pre-operative diagnosis is only possible with laparoscopy.

[Diagnosis and surgical treatment of tuberculosis of mesentric lymph nodes].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnosis, operative indication and therapeutic result of tuberculosis of mesentric lymph nodes. METHOD: Fifty-nine cases with tuberculosis of mesentric lymph nodes surgically treated at two hospitals from July 1976 to July 1997 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULT: Only 14 cases were correctly diagnosed before operation. Operative treatment for the tuberculosis of mesentric lymph nodes represented a safe, effective treatment with few complications and no operative death. CONCLUSION: Because patients with tuberculosis of mesentric lymph nodes show no characteristic manifestations, laboratory methods (e.g. polymerase chain reaction), peritoneoscopy, CT scanning and B mode ultrosound techniques should also be considered for diagnosis of the disease. The acute or chronic ileus, hemorrhage of digestive tract, intestinal perforation or fistula, intra-abdominal large tuberculous abscess and abdominal sinus caused by tuberculosis of mesentric lymph nodes should be surgically treated. The exploratory laparotomy also should be performed on the patients with abdominal mass or those whose diagnosis of neoplasm could not be ruled out. The postoperative antituberculosis chemotherapy should be continued to decrease the occurrence of complications.

Massive tuberculous mesenteric lymphadenopathy.

Abdominal tuberculosis accounts for 10% of all tuberculosis seen in Papua New Guinea. Nodal tuberculosis is usually associated with intestinal or peritoneal lesions. A case of massive tuberculous mesenteric lymphadenopathy with recurrent intestinal obstruction is presented here with a review of the relevant literature.

[Errors in the differential diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children]. / Oshibki differentsial'noi diagnostike pri ostrom appenditsite u detei

According to the authors' findings among 1027 children operated upon for appendicitis 61 children had diseases not related with inflammation of the appendicular process. Mesenterial lymphadenitis was observed intraoperatively in 34 cases, pneumococcic peritonitis-in 15, invagination of the small and large intestine-in 3, diverticulitis of Meckel's diverticulum-in 3, ovarian apoplexy-in 3, atonia of the urinary bladder-in 2. Diagnostic errors occurred as a result of improper analysis of the anamnesis data, rare incidence of the aforementioned diseases, and also due to the absence of reliable methods of objective laboratory and instrumental investigations of such patients.

Kikuchi- Fujimoto disease of mesenteric lymph nodes mimicking acute appendicitis.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, or histiocytic necrotising lymphadenopathy of unknown aetiology, is a rare, benign and self-limiting cause of lymphadenopathy often involving the cervical nodes, and rarely presenting with mesenteric lymphadenopathy. We present a 26-year-old Caucasian male, who presented with right iliac fossa pain and low grade pyrexia, mimicking acute appendicitis. He underwent a laparatomy and an extended right hemi-colectomy for a caecal mass. Histology of the specimen showed lymph nodes with extensive areas of necrosis, with abnormal architecture suggesting Kikuchi-Fujimoto lymphadenopathy. This was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry. In this context maintenance of a high index of suspicion of this condition can avoid major surgical interventions. We describe the management of our case of Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease involving the mesenteric nodes and provide an up to date review of the pertinent literature on this subject.