Antenatally Detected Thoracic Lesions: Prognosis, Management and Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Foetal thoracic lesions are uncommon, with the incidence of 1 in 15,000 live births. Antenatal monitoring of these lesions is required to prognosticate the parents about the postnatal outcome of the lesions and about the well-being of the baby. Foetal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the modalities to detect these lesions and follow-up during pregnancy and postnatally. Congenital pulmonary adenomatoid malformations (CPAM), congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and bronchopulmonary sequestrations (BPS) are the commonly detected foetal thoracic lesions. Parameters such as congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) volume ratio (CVR) and lung-to-head ratio (LHR) determine the prognosis of these lesions. With this background, we planned to study the prognosis and outcome of antenatally detected thoracic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study carried out for 2 years (January 2017 to December 2018). Pregnant females with foetuses diagnosed to have thoracic lesions on the second- and third-trimester ultrasound and foetal MRI were enrolled for the study. CVR and LHR were noted. Outcomes were analysed in terms of the need of termination of pregnancy, foetal or neonatal demise and need of surgery or conservative management. RESULTS: Of a total of 521 pregnancies, thoracic lesions were detected in 22 (4.22%) cases. Individually, the incidence of each lesion was: CPAM-10 (45.45%), BPS-5 (22.73%), CDH-5 (22.73%) and congenital higher airway obstruction-2 (9.1%). Chromosomal screening was normal in 100% of cases. Follow-up was done for 2 years. Termination of pregnancy was required in 3 (13.64%) cases, postnatal death occurred in 4 (18.2%) cases, surgery was required in three cases of CDH soon after birth and two cases of extralobar BPS at 2 years of age. 10 (45.45%) cases were managed conservatively, who are doing well at 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: CPAMs, BPSs and CDH are the commonly detected antenatal thoracic lesions. Ultrasonography and MRI help detect and prognosticate the parents about the outcomes of these lesions. CVR and LHR with associated congenital malformations are important prognostic markers for these lesions. There is a need of long-term prospective studies to delineate the natural history of these lesions.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumour in Children: A Report of Two Cases and Review of Literature.

ABSTRACT: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour in paediatric patients present with a diagnostic dilemma because of its clinical, radiological and histopathological features overlapping with other mesenchymal tumours common in this age. Because of its rarity, the exact features are still unclear. Here, we are reporting clinical, radiological and histopathological appearances of two such cases. In both cases, the exact diagnosis was confirmed only after immunohistochemistry. There is a need for further detailed study to exactly determine the natural course and prognosis of these tumours.

Gastric Teratoma in Children: A Report of Two Cases and Review of Literature.

ABSTRACT: Gastric teratomas are very rare tumours. They present with upper abdomen distension which can easily be confused with other common conditions with mass per abdomen in the paediatric age group. Surgical excision is curative for gastric teratomas. The diagnosis is confirmed by radiological evaluation followed by histopathological analysis of excised specimen. We are reporting two such cases of gastric teratomas who presented with complaints of upper abdomen distension. They were evaluated with radiological imaging and successfully managed by surgical excision.

Effect of Pre-Operative Parenteral Testosterone on Penile Dimensions and Vascularity in Proximal Hypospadias: A Prospective Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Severe or proximal hypospadias is associated with inadequate local tissue and small phallus size. Pre-operative androgens have been used to increase phallus size, but there are very few studies on its role in proximal hypospadias. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effects of pre-operative intramuscular (IM) testosterone on proximal penile hypospadias in terms of penile morphology and tissue characteristics of penile skin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted on 27 patients of proximal hypospadias over a period from June 2017 to July 2018. The patients were sequentially enrolled into two groups: Group A and Group B. Group A patients received IM testosterone before surgery, whereas Group B patients were operated without pre-operative testosterone. Outcomes were analysed in terms of change in penile dimensions and effect on vascularity of penile skin. RESULTS: Pre-operative IM testosterone in Group A caused a significant increase in stretched penile length from a mean of 3.058 cm (±0.691) to 3.9 cm (±0.875) (P = 0.002), penile circumference from a mean of 4.142 cm (±0.772) to 4.667 cm (±1.174) (P = 0.029) and glans width from a mean of 1.225 cm (±0.245) to 1.750 cm (±0.571) (P = 0.002). There was higher microvessel density in the preputial skin of Group A (mean: 12.212 [±4.745] blood vessels/high-power field [HPF]) compared to Group B (8.867 [±3.258] blood vessels/HPF) (P = 0.043). CONCLUSION: Pre-operative testosterone in proximal hypospadias causes significant changes in penile dimensions and tissue characteristics. Improvement in penile dimensions leads to ease in operability and better tissue handling. However, more studies with large sample size are required to establish the beneficial effects of pre-operative hormone stimulation on urethroplasty.

Paediatric laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: Level of disconnection of peritoneal cuff - An observational study.

Introduction: Inguinal hernia is a common surgical condition in children. Conventionally, the open approach for inguinal hernia repair has been considered the gold standard. However, in the past two decades, laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has gained popularity among paediatric surgeons as an alternative to the open approach. Apart from good cosmesis and shorter stay at hospital, laparoscopy offers clear-cut advantages of visualising contralateral site and simultaneous repair if it is patent. Many techniques for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair have been proposed. In this retrospective observational study, we are comparing outcomes between proximal and distal disconnection of hernia sac. Materials and Methods: Ninety-five patients with inguinal hernia were studied in two groups. Group A included 50 patients in which hernia sac was disconnected from the peritoneal cuff proximal to deep inguinal ring (DIR). Group B included 45 patients in which hernia sac was disconnected distal to DIR. Various sociodemographic parameters and intraoperative findings were compared. Outcomes were analysed in terms of post-operative pain, duration of stay at the hospital and recurrences. Results: In group A, there were 46 males and four females with mean age of 4.01 years with standard deviation (SD) of 2.96. Group B included 37 males and eight females with mean age of 5.09 years with SD of 3.56. Excess post-operative pain was observed in 33 patients in Group A with proximal disconnection of hernia sac whereas it was seen in only three patients in Group B with distal disconnection of sac. The P was 0.001 which was highly significant. The duration of stay in the hospital was more in Group A (2.36 ± 1.22 days) as compared to Group B (1.8 ± 0.66 days) with a P of 0.0076 which was significant. Hernia recurrence was seen in four out of 50 patients in Group A (8%) as compared to no recurrence in Group B. However, the difference was not significant. Conclusion: The disconnection of hernia sac distal to DIR is associated with less post-operative pain and shorter duration of hospital stay. There is less recurrence seen in distal disconnection of hernia sac as compared to proximal disconnection; however, to achieve the level of significance, a large cohort study is required.

Giant choledochal cyst in infant: A rare case report.

The cystic dilatation of the common bile duct (CBD) is a rare pathology in an infant. It is the second-most common surgical cause of cholestatic jaundice in infants after biliary atresia. A 4-month-old female child was admitted to our department with complaints of abdominal distension. The physical examination revealed the presence of a huge palpable mass involving the right hypochondrium up to the right iliac fossa and umbilical region. Ultrasound abdomen revealed a large intra-abdominal cyst but unable to comment on the organ of origin of the cyst due to its huge size. Multidetector computed tomography of the abdomen was suggestive of possible origin of the cyst from CBD extending from porta hepatis to pelvis. At laparotomy, there was a huge choledochal cyst extending from porta hepatis to pelvis. The choledochal cyst was excised, followed by Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy.

Internal fat prolapse from ischiorectal fossa masquerading as currarino syndrome.

Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the latest addition to already existing tools for evaluation of anorectal malformation (ARM). It provides detailed information about pelvic floor musculature as well as position of rectal pouch. However, lack of knowledge about normal pelvic floor anatomy can lead to misinterpretation of pelvic MRI which can create confusion and change in approach for surgery. A 14-month-old male child with diagnosis of ARM was evaluated with pelvic MRI. There was finding of abnormal protrusion of fat through the ischiorectal fossa which was misinterpreted as Currarino syndrome which created confusion immediately before posterior sagittal anorectoplasty. Pelvic MRI is highly informative while evaluating a case of ARM. However, a detailed knowledge of pelvic floor anatomy is mandatory to avoid wrong interpretation and misdiagnosis.