Skipped aganglionic lengthening transposition (SALT) for short bowel syndrome in patients with total intestinal aganglionosis: technical report and feasibility.

Extended aganglionosis (TIA) is the presence of some viable aganglionic gut distal to the levelling jejunostomy. Different surgical procedures (including transplantation) have been proposed with inconclusive results. We conceived a new procedure named skipped aganglionic lengthening transposition (SALT) consisting of multiple pedicled isoperistaltic transpositions of aganglionic ileal loops interposed to normoganglionic jejunum. The innovative aspect consists of taking advantage of the propulsive effect of normoganglionated bowel to progress enteric content throughout interposed aganglionic loops down to the stoma. The procedure was adopted in a male patient who was born with 30 cm of normoganglionated jejunum. SALT was performed when the baby was 18 months. Three 5-cm pedicled isoperistaltic aganglionic loops of small bowel were interposed each 10 cm of normoganglionic jejunum with an overall 36% length gain (from 42 to 57 cm). Postoperative course was uneventful. 6 months postoperatively, an upper gastrointestinal series showed normal progression without dilatations. A laparoscopic gastrostomy was performed due to food aversion 6 months postoperatively, demonstrating impressive anatomic and functional postoperative results. The procedure provides promising and unique opportunity for patients with TIA with encouraging outlook for the near future.

Pineal germinoma in a child with interferon-γ receptor 1 deficiency. case report and literature review.

Interferon-γ receptor 1 (IFN-γR1) deficiency is one of the primary immunodeficiencies conferring Mendelian Susceptibility to Mycobacterial Disease (MSMD). Some cases of neoplasms have been recently reported in patients with MSMD, underlying the already known link between immunodeficiency and carcinogenesis. We report the first case of intracranial tumour, i.e. pineal germinoma, in a 11-year-old patient with complete IFN-γR1 deficiency. The first clinical presentation of the genetic immunodeficiency dates back to when the child was aged 2 y and 10 mo, when he presented a multi-focal osteomyelitis caused by Mycobacterium scrofulaceum. The diagnosis of IFN-γR1 deficiency (523delT/523delT in IFNGR1 gene) was subsequently made. The child responded to antibiotic therapy and remained in stable clinical condition until the age of 11 years, when he started complaining of frontal, chronic headache. MRI revealed a solid pineal region mass lesion measuring 20 × 29 × 36 mm. Histological findings revealed a diagnosis of pineal germinoma. The patient received chemotherapy followed by local whole ventricular irradiation with boost on pineal site, experiencing complete remission, and to date he is tumor-free at four years follow-up. Four other cases of tumors have been reported in patients affected by MSMD in our knowledge: a case of Kaposi sarcoma, a case of B-cell lymphoma, a case of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and a case of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In conclusion, in patients with MSMD, not only the surveillance of infectious diseases, but also that of tumors is important.

Pituitary deficiency and congenital infiltrating lipomatosis of the face in a girl with deletion of chromosome 1q24.3q31.1.

Interstitial deletions of the long arm of chromosome 1 are rare and they are classified as proximal or intermediate. The intermediate interstitial deletions span 1q24-1q32. We describe a 6-year-old girl with multiple pituitary hormone deficiency, severe cognitive impairment, bilateral cleft lip and palate, midline facial capillary malformation, erythema of hands and feet and dysplastic cranial vessels, low anti-thrombin III activity, hemifacial overgrowth due to progressive infiltrating lipomatosis with bone overgrowth, marked vascular proliferation and erythema of hands and feet, and abnormal cranial vessels. The girl's karyotype showed an apparently de novo interstitial deletion 1q24.3q31.1, which was defined by array-CGH. The deleted region contains numerous genes, but only eight (CENPL, LHX4, LAMC1, LAMC2, PTGS2, ANGPTL1, TNN, and TNR) are good candidates to explain, at least partially, the phenotype of the proposita. We, therefore, discuss the involvement of these genes and the observed phenotype.

Megacystis, megacolon, and malrotation: a new syndromic association?

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) can occur as a consequence of neuropathies including diffuse Intestinal Neuronal Dysplasia (IND), a relatively rare enteric nervous system (ENS) abnormality. Although various authors reported of diffuse IND associated either with intestinal malrotation or megacystis, the co-existence of these three entities in the same patient has never been described before. The aim of this paper is to report for the first time in literature a series of patient with such association, focusing on one who carries a de novo duplication of chromosome 12, suggesting a new syndromic association (megacolon, megacystis, malrotation).

Successful isolation and long-term establishment of a cell line with stem cell-like features from an anaplastic medulloblastoma.

AIMS: Herein we report on the successful isolation and establishment of a novel, long-term, primary, neurosphere-like cell line called 1603-MED from a 5-year-old boy affected by a highly aggressive anaplastic medulloblastoma. METHODS: Elaboration of the new protocol for neurosphere assay is extensively discussed, together with a complete immuno-histochemical and cytogenetic characterization of 1603-MED. RESULTS: Clinical course and histopathology are briefly discussed. The 1603-MED possesses a high capacity for proliferation, CD133 expression, self-renewal and differentiation, thus indicating that anaplastic medulloblastoma contains a subpopulation of cancer stem cells as observed in classic medulloblastoma. CONCLUSIONS: 1603-MED provides us with the first in vitro model of anaplastic medulloblastoma that may be suitable for studying both tumour progression and the genetic mechanisms related to therapy resistance, and may lead to the development and testing of chemosensitivity and new therapeutic targets.

A unique case of multiple dermatomyofibromas.

We report on a case of multiple dermatomyofibromas on the posterior neck of a 10-year-old boy. Dermatomyofibroma is a benign proliferation of myofibroblasts of the skin. It is more common in adolescents and young adults, with a female preponderance. It usually appears as a single plaque or nodule. To our knowledge, this is the first case of multiple dermatomyofibromas reported in the literature.

Pulmonary lymphangiectasia.

Congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia (PL) is a rare developmental disorder involving the lung and is characterized by pulmonary subpleural, interlobar, perivascular, and peribronchial lymphatic dilatation. Both frequency and etiology are unknown. PL presents at birth with severe respiratory distress, tachypnea, and cyanosis, with a very high mortality rate at or within a few hours of birth. At birth, mechanical ventilation and pleural drainage are nearly always necessary to obtain a favorable outcome of respiratory distress. Home supplemental oxygen therapy and symptomatic treatment of recurrent cough and wheeze are often necessary during childhood, sometimes associated to prolonged pleural drainage. Recent advances in intensive neonatal care have changed the previously nearly fatal outcome of PL at birth. Patients affected by PL who survive infancy present medical problems which are characteristic of chronic lung disease.

Glioneuronal tumors and epilepsy in children: seizure outcome related to lesionectomy.

AIM: Glioneuronal tumors (especially gangliogliomas and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors) are an increasingly recognised cause of drug-resistant epilepsy in children. The optimal surgical strategy (lesionectomy vs. extended resection of epileptogenic peritumoral areas) to obtain seizure control has not been fully established. Our aim was to analyze the post-surgical seizure outcome in children with epileptogenic glioneuronal tumors related to lesionectomy. METHODS: The clinical data were collected through a database. Video-EEG and MRI were performed in all patients pre-operatively and at the follow-up. RESULTS: Our series included 22 patients. The age range at surgery was 10 months-16 years (mean: 6.5±4.5 years). Epilepsy duration ranged 1-78 months (mean: 11.6±17.0). There were complex partial seizures in 14 cases, simple partial seizures in 6 patients and generalized epilepsy in 2. Gross-total surgical removal was achieved in 15 (68.2%) patients. At the last follow-up (mean 4.7 years), 20 (90.9%) patients were seizure-free (Engel Class I) and two (9.1%) were Engel Class III. Six out of seven (85.7%) patients with subtotal removal were Engel Class I. Statistical analysis failed to detect any difference between seizure outcome (Engel Class) and tumor type (DNT vs. GG; P=1.00) or location (temporal vs. non temporal; P=0.51), and extension of the resection (total vs. subtotal; P=1.00). CONCLUSION: Primary aim of the surgery for epileptogenic glioneuronal tumors is to remove the lesion and to obtain a complete seizure control. However, if a complete tumor resection cannot be carried out, a subtotal removal of the lesion can equally provide satisfactory results.

Diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumours: clinico-pathological follow-up.

Glioneuronal tumours are a group of primary brain neoplasms of relatively recent acquisition in the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of the Central Nervous System tumours. In diagnostic practice it is still possible to encounter glioneuronal tumours that cannot be placed into any of the well-defined WHO categories despite a growing list of entities. We have recently published four paediatric cases of diffuse leptomeningeal tumours that cannot be easily classified in the currently used CNS WHO classification, but which have histological and immunohistochemical criteria to be considered as glioneuronal tumours. The clinical, neuroradiological and pathological long-term follow-up of an unusual diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumour is presented herein.

Pontocerebellar hypoplasia: clinical, pathologic, and genetic studies.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in genes encoding subunits of the tRNA-splicing endonuclease (TSEN) complex were identified in patients with pontocerebellar hypoplasia 2 (PCH2) and pontocerebellar hypoplasia 4 (PCH4). OBJECTIVE: We report molecular genetic findings in 12 Italian patients with clinical and MRI findings compatible with PCH2 and PCH4. METHODS: We retrospectively selected a cohort of 12 children from 9 Italian families with MRI of hypoplastic pontocerebellar structures and clinical manifestations suggesting either PCH2 or PCH4 and submitted them to direct sequencing of the genes encoding the 4 subunits of the TSEN complex, namely TSEN54, TSEN34, TSEN15, and TSEN2. RESULTS: In a cohort of 12 children, we detected the common p.A307S mutation in TSEN54 in 9/12 available patients from nine unrelated families. We also detected a novel c.1170_1183del (p. V390fs39X) in compound heterozygosity with the common p.A307S in a child with a severe PCH4 phenotype. In another severely affected patient, the second mutant allele was not identified. Two sibs without mutations in the TSEN complex were unlinked to the PCH3 locus. In addition to typical clinical and neuroradiologic features of PCH2, both children were affected by a tubulopathy resembling Bartter syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm that the common p.A307S mutation in TSEN54 is responsible for most of the patients with a PCH2 phenotype. The presence of a heterozygous in/del variant correlates with a more severe phenotype as PCH4. In addition, we describe a new clinical form of PCH in 2 sibs with clinical and MRI features of PCH2.

Genetic abnormalities and CNS tumors: report of two cases of ependymoma associated with Klinefelter's Syndrome (KS).

OBJECTS: Genetic syndromes associated with ependymoma are uncommon, with the exception of NF2. We describe two cases of ependymoma presenting with Klinefelter's Syndrome (KS) as co-morbid condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The first patient was diagnosed for KS during pregnancy; he also presented a thyroid agenesis and a deficit of methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR); at 30 months of age he was operated on for a grade II ependymoma of IV ventricle; after a multiple-stage surgery, he underwent oral chemotherapy and stereotactic radiotherapy, but after 15 months he presented a local recurrence and died. The second patient was diagnosed for KS at the age of 16 months; at 10 years of age, due to back pain, he underwent an MRI, which showed a cauda equine tumor. He underwent surgery and radiotherapy. Histology was of mixopapillary ependymoma. CONCLUSION: In a review of literature, various neoplasms have been described in association with KS. To our knowledge, these are the first two cases reported of ependymoma associated to KS. A retrospective study of 44 monoinstitutional ependymoma cases demonstrated association with genetic syndromes in 22%.

Large plaque-like glomuvenous malformation (glomangioma) simulating venous malformation.

Glomuvenous malformations and venous malformations are vascular lesions that can be distinguished on the basis of clinical and pathological features. A vascular lesion of the skin and superficial and deep soft tissues of a lower limb in a 5-year-old child is described. The clinical and radiological features, including skeletal muscle involvement, were typical of venous malformation, whereas the histopathological features were those of a glomuvenous malformation. The clinical and histopathological features are briefly discussed.

[Case report of a double ano-rectal neoplasia (adenocarcinoma and melanoma)]. / Segnalazione di un caso di doppia neoplasia ano-rettale (adenocarcinoma e melanoma).

The association in a single organ of two neoplasms with different, histogenensis is uncommon. A dual ano-rectal neoplasms, pigmented malignant melanoma in collision with adenocarcinoma is reported, along with a discussion concerning the problems related with primary origin of the melanocytic component.

Focal nodular hyperplasia-like areas in cirrhosis.

AIMS: Focal nodular hyperplasia-like lesions have rarely been described in cirrhotic livers. We describe five cases of such lesions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 1998 and 2001, 146 liver transplants were performed at the Royal Free Hospital for cirrhosis of the liver. Nodular lesions identified in the livers removed at transplantation were defined histologically according to the International Working Party classification (Hepatology 1995; 22; 983). They were present in 63 of these livers, as follows: 36 dysplastic nodules, 121 macroregenerative nodules, and 71 hepatocellular carcinomas. In five patients, an additional 12 nodules (size range 4-23 mm, median 10.5 mm) showed histological features suggestive of focal nodular hyperplasia including mildly inflamed vascular fibrous septa, and ductular proliferation. Pre-transplantation imaging showed features suspicious for hepatocellular carcinoma, in three of these lesions (12, 23 and 23 mm diameter) from two different patients. These lesions were histologically indistinguishable from focal nodular hyperplasia occurring in non-cirrhotic livers, with fibrous scars and septa which contained vascular and ductular structures. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to recognize that these lesions may occur in the context of cirrhosis and that they should be considered in the differential diagnosis with hepatocellular carcinoma, dysplastic nodules and macroregenerative nodules.