Gastrointestinal Tract Duplications in Children: A Tertiary Referral Center Experience.

Objective: Gastrointestinal duplications are rare congenital anomalies. Herein, we present a single institutional experience in pediatric gastrointestinal tract duplications. Methods: Patient records from 2014 to 2019 were retrospectively evaluated for demographic data, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, surgical findings, and pathological reports. Results: This study included 19 patients, of whom 10 were males and nine were females, with a median age of 30 (21 days-15.5 years) months. Three patients were antenatally and three were incidentally diagnosed. Abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, and perianal accessory orifice were the most common presenting symptoms. Preoperative diagnostic workup included ultrasonography (n=13), cross-sectional imaging (n=8), and nuclear scintigraphy (n=1). A preoperative diagnosis was possible in 14 (74%) patients. The duplications originated from the foregut in seven (37%) patients, midgut in seven (37%), and hindgut in five (26%). Cystic duplications were observed in 14 (74%) patients and tubular in five (26%). The total surgical excision with (n=8) or without (n=10) associated organ resection was possible in 18 patients. Partial cyst excision with a complete mucosal removal was done in 1 patient. Heterotopic mucosa was present in six (32%) specimens. The respiratory origin with thyroid transcription factor-1 positivity was contained in two para-esophageal duplications. Among five patients with heterotopic gastric mucosa, 1 had presented with perforation and the others with hemorrhage. Conclusions: Duplications may involve any gastrointestinal segment. The clinical presentation is highly variable because of the wide variation in the involved segment and sizes and the possibility of bearing heterotopic mucosa. The surgery aims to totally excise the cyst or at least totally remove the inner mucosal lining.

Assessment of ovarian reserve using serum anti-Müllerian hormone after ovarian torsion surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine ovarian reserve using serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level in children who had undergone either ovarian-preserving surgery or oophorectomy because of ovarian torsion. METHODS: Patients aged > 10 years who had undergone surgery for unilateral ovarian torsion were contacted for the study with ethics committee approval. Seventeen patients agreed to be included. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients had undergone ovarian detorsion and seven had undergone oophorectomy. Mean age at operation was 11.6 ± 2.23 years (range, 8-15 years) and 13.2 ± 2.17 years (range, 10-16 years), respectively (P = 0.46). Ovarian torsion was isolated in four patients in the first group, and in three in the second. The remainder had associated benign masses. At the time of this study, mean patient age was 18 ± 2.11 years (range, 14-21 years) with a mean postoperative follow up of 5.9 ± 2.8 years (range, 2-10.5 years). Echogenicity of all preserved ovaries was normal on pelvic Doppler ultrasonography, with presence of antral follicles in six. Three ovaries were smaller than expected for age, although two of these had antral follicles. Mean AMH was 5.54 ± 2.25 ng/mL in the detorsion group and 2.70 ± 2.11 ng/mL in the oophorectomy group (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of follicles in preserved ovaries after detorsion has been reported previously. AMH is expressed in granulosa cells of growing follicles and its serum level is valuable in assessing the quantitative aspects of ovarian reserve. Preservation of the ovary in children with torsion is justified in terms of future ovarian reserve.

Long-term analysis of surgical treatment outcomes in chronic pilonidal sinus disease.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Chronic pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is relatively common in adolescents and can be treated by various surgical techniques. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome in adolescents surgically treated for PSD in a single clinic. METHODS: PSD patients surgically treated over an 8-year period were retrospectively evaluated. Classical midline incision and excision with primary repair was performed in all. Regular follow up visits were scheduled. Evaluation of postoperative outpatient clinic records as well as telephone interviews for patients who were operated more than 6months ago were done for the long-term results, including coherence to regional hair care. RESULTS: There were 268 patients with a median age of 16years; 146 (54%) were males, and 122 (46%) were females. Outpatient follow up records were available for 249 (92.9%) patients with a median of postoperative 3months (7days-49months). Moreover, 114 (42.5% of total) patients were interviewed by telephone 6-63 (median 25) months after the surgery. In 36 (13.4%) patients, wound infection or dehiscence occurred within the first month of surgery and was treated by secondary healing. Recurrences were observed in 21 (7.8%) patients all having poor local hygiene. Laser epilation was employed in 32 (28%) patients, and none of these had recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: Classical midline incision and primary closure approach for surgical treatment of PSD in adolescents has similar results to adults. Postoperative hair removal seems to reduce recurrences. TYPE OF STUDY: Treatment study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV (Retrospective case series with no comparison group).

Spontaneous intestinal perforation: an atypical presentation of neutropenic enterocolitis-a case report.

Background. Neutropenic enterocolitis is one of the most common gastrointestinal complications seen in patients who are receiving chemotherapy for leukemia. Severe neutropenia is the main underlying factor of this pathology. It is characterized by fever and abdominal pain. Case Presentation. Herein, we report a case of neutropenic enterocolitis which presented with intestinal perforation in an afebrile patient who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and was receiving induction chemotherapy. Conclusion. We aimed to emphasize the importance of enterocolitis and increase awareness against such severe complications which could have unexpected presentations.

A rare cause of intestinal perforation: ingestion of magnet.

BACKGROUND: Ingestion of foreign objects is a common problem in children. Ingestion of one more magnets may require surgical intervention because of risk of perforation. METHODS: A 4-year-old girl was admitted to our department with complaints of abdominal pain and bilious vomiting. She had been treated at another clinic with repeated abdominal X-rays because of ingestion of a magnet 5 days ago. Physical examination revealed diffuse abdominal tenderness and bilious drainage from the nasogastric tube. The magnet was observed by radiopaque imaging in the right epigastric region of the upright abdomen but there was no free air. The magnet was presumed to be in the duodenum and exploratory laparotomy was performed. RESULTS: During the operation, a perforation was found between the pylorus and duodenum due to the magnet. The foreign body was found to be two magnets adherent to each; the interposed and compressed tissue was necrotized and perforated between the two magnets. The necrotized segment was excised and primary anastomosis was made. The postoperative period of the patient was uneventful and she was discharged on the seventh postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: Ingestion of foreign objects such as one more magnets may cause intestinal perforation in early stages. If the object stays in the same location shown by repeated X-rays, surgical intervention should not be delayed.