Prevalence and Predictors of Celiac Disease in Children With Constipation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of celiac disease and its predictors in children with constipation. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional comparative study was conducted between November, 2018 to April, 2020. Children aged 1-12 years were screened for the presence of constipation as per ROME IV criteria and designated as cases. Age and sex matched healthy children with normal bowel habits were enrolled as comparison group. Participants underwent a detailed history and examination, and were screened for celiac disease by estimating serum anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA antibody levels (tTG-IgA). Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and duodenal biopsy were performed in all participants who tested positive on screening (serum tTG-IgA ≥ 20 U/mL). The prevalence of celiac disease and associated factors were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 460 children (230 in each group) with mean (SD) age 64.08 (37.12) months were enrolled. Twenty-one (4.6%) children screened positive for anti tTG antibodies, among these 15 (75%) children had biopsy features suggestive of celiac disease (Marsh grade III). Children with constipation had significantly higher prevalence of celiac disease (5.65% vs 0.87%, P = 0.004) compared to children without constipation. Wasting and stunting were significantly associated with celiac disease in constipated children (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Children with constipation and associated growth failure have a high prevalence of celiac disease.

The use of preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio in predicting survival and groin node involvement of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of penis.

INTRODUCTION: The association between inflammation and malignancies is being recognized. In this study, we assessed the use of preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) in predicting cancer-specific survival (CSS) and inguinal node involvement in patients with carcinoma penis. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients operated for squamous cell carcinoma penis with inguinal node dissection between 2012 and 2020 were identified. We recorded the type of surgery (partial/total penectomy), T stage, grade, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), perineural invasion (PNI), pathological status of inguinal nodes and nodal stage (pN1-3), extranodal extension (ENE), and CSS. The hemogram performed within 2 weeks of surgery was used for calculating NLR and LMR. RESULTS: Partial penectomy was the most common surgery (65.22%) and pT2 was the most common stage (53.62%). Grade 2 was seen in 66.67%, LVI in 34.78%, PNI in 37.68%, 52.17% had inguinal node involvement with pN3 being the most common (36.23%), and 36.23% had ENE. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that NLR of >3 and the LMR ≤3 indicated an inferior CSS (P = 0.05 and 0.04, respectively). T stage, inguinal node involvement, LVI, pN stage, and ENE were also associated with inferior CSS (P < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, T stage was significantly associated with CSS (P = 0.02). The NLR >3 and LMR ≤3 were also significantly associated with the presence of pathological inguinal node involvement (P = 0.001 and 0.026). CONCLUSION: NLR and LMR may help in predicting CSS and inguinal node involvement in patients of carcinoma penis.

Laparoscopic and robotic video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy by the lateral approach.

INTRODUCTION: Video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy (VEIL) improves on open inguinal node dissection because it offers decreased morbidity. In conventional VEIL, port placement is along the long axis of the femur, above the knee joint. In the laparoscopic approach, this placement is fraught with problems because the camera hits the knee, the surgeon must reach over the camera, and sword fighting occurs between the instruments. In the robotic approach, external collisions are likewise not uncommon because of a lack of optimal spacing between the robot's arms. Here, we describe our lateral approach technique that can be used for both laparoscopic and robotic platforms and can help solve the problems presented by conventional VEIL. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed to examine the records of all patients who had undergone VEIL at our institution for management of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. Patients who had undergone lateral VEIL were identified. The clinical factors, surgery details, time to discharge and drain removal, postoperative complications, and nodal pathology were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 30 VEILs-26 laparoscopic and 4 robotic-were performed by the lateral approach. On clinical examination, none of the patients had clinically palpable nodes. The mean operative time on one side was 100 minutes (range, 80-140 minutes). The blood loss was minimal in all cases, and there were no conversions to open procedures. The mean time to drain removal was 7 days (range, 5-12 days). Two patients developed bilateral lymphoceles. CONCLUSIONS: Lateral VEIL is feasible and can be used as an alternative to conventional VEIL.

Recurrent arthritis: an unusual diagnosis.

Musculoskeletal complaints may be the initial manifestation of childhood leukaemias. When these symptoms predominate at the onset, a diagnosis of one of several rheumatic diseases may be entertained. Where blood tests are normal, no bone marrow examination would normally be indicated. The use of immune-suppressing medication, such as steroids, may lead to diagnostic delay or misdiagnosis.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the ovary.

Solitary fibrous tumors commonly occur in the pleura and are rare elsewhere, especially in the female genital system. We present a case of a solitary fibrous tumor arising from the ovary in a young female in the reproductive age group. The tumor could be excised laparoscopically. We also describe the histopathological and immunohistochemical features that can help establish its diagnosis.

Evaluation of the role of [18F]FDG-PET/CT and [68Ga]DOTATOC-PET/CT in differentiating typical and atypical pulmonary carcinoids.

Pulmonary carcinoids are histologically classified into typical and atypical. It is important to identify these preoperatively for treatment planning and prognosis. Structural imaging cannot conclusively differentiate between them. The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of differentiating the 2 variants using [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and [68Ga]1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N(I-IIII)-tetraacetic acid-(D)-Phe1-Thy3-octreotide (DOTATOC)-PET/CT. The imaging results of 20 patients with pulmonary carcinoids (13 typical, 7 atypical) on [18F]FDG-PET/CT and [68Ga]DOTATOC-PET/CT were assessed retrospectively. Six typical carcinoids failed to reveal significant uptake on [18F]FDG-PET/CT. All the atypical carcinoids revealed significant uptake on the [18F]FDG-PET/CT that was higher than that in typical carcinoids (standardized uptake value (SUV)max, 2.9-8.4, P = 0.001). The SUVmax in typical carcinoids on [68Ga]DOTATOC-PET/CT was significantly higher (SUVmax, 8.8-66) compared with atypical carcinoids (SUVmax, 1.1-18.5, P = 0.002). Ratios of SUVmax on [68Ga]DOTATOC-PET/CT to that on [18F]FDG-PET/CT were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in typical carcinoids compared with atypical carcinoids. The different uptake patterns on [18F]FDG and [68Ga]DOTATOC-PET/CT. and the ratio of SUVmax may be helpful in differentiating between typical and atypical carcinoids.

Primary mediastinal chondrosarcoma with Horner's syndrome.

Chondrosarcomas are uncommon tumors of the mediastinum. Cases reported in the literature are chondrosarcomas originating from osteocartilaginous structures; primary chondrosarcomas that have no anatomical relation with cartilaginous structures are rare. They present with myriad symptoms depending on compression of the adjacent structures; but Horner's syndrome, as a symptom, has not been described before. We report a rare case of a large primary mediastinal chondrosarcoma that presented with Horner's syndrome.

Role of positron emission tomography-computed tomography in bronchial mucoepidermoid carcinomas: a case series and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the tracheobronchial tree is rare. Such tumors usually present with signs and symptoms of bronchial obstruction. Histologically, they can be classified as high-grade or low-grade tumors. Experience of imaging these tumors with 18fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG PET-CT) is limited. We present three cases of this rare tumor, describe the functional imaging results, and review the available literature. CASE PRESENTATION: Three Caucasian patients, two men (21 and 24 years of age) and one woman (14 years of age), with bronchial masses were evaluated by us. All three patients were symptomatic, and underwent a thorough clinical examination, bronchoscopy and biopsy, plain computed tomography, 18F-FDG PET-CT and 68Gallium 1,4,7,10-Tetraazacyclododecane-NI,NII,NIII,NIIII,- tetra acetic acid (D) - Phel1-Tyr3-octreotide positron emission tomography-computed tomography (68Ga-DOTATOC PET-CT). 18F-FDG PET-CT revealed mild uptake in all three patients, whereas 68Ga-DOTATOC PET-CT revealed no significant uptake in any patient, making carcinoid tumor unlikely. Results of histopathological examination were consistent with low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma in all patients. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals that functional imaging may be helpful in the initial investigation of patients with mucoepidermoid carcinoma. 18F-FDG PET-CT may have a prognostic relevance by predicting the histopathologic differentiation of the tumor.