Early diagnosis and surgical intervention untie the Gordian knot in newborns with colonic atresia: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Incidence of colonic atresia in living infants ranges from 1:5,000 to 1:60,000 (average 1:20,000). It constitutes 1.8 to 15% of all cases of atresia of the gastrointestinal tract. In 58.56-75% of all cases is right-sided. We aim, through the presentation of two cases of colonic atresia which we encountered and after systematic research of the current literature, at addressing three major issues: diagnostic approach, operative strategy and management of the prognostic parameters of the colonic atresia. The common parameter in these two cases was the early diagnosis, which played a significant role in the uncomplicated postoperative course. The first case was a type I sigmoid atresia. Contrast's escape during contrast enema examination due to accidental rupture of the distal part of the colon led to diagnosis. Side-to-side anastomosis, restoration of the rupture and a central loop sigmoidostomy were urgently performed. The second case was a type III atresia at the level of the ascending colon, which was early diagnosed via pregenital ultrasonography, in which colonic dilation was depicted. Restoration of the intestinal continuity early after birth was performed at a time. In conclusion, we believe that early diagnosis, selection of the appropriate operative strategy and prompt recognition of potential post-operative complications, especially rupture of the anastomosis, contribute to the optimization of the prognosis in patients with colonic atresia.

Pseudohyperaldosteronism due to mumijo consumption during pregnancy: a licorice-like syndrome.

Herbal supplements are widely used during pregnancy, although there are insufficient data regarding their efficacy and safety. Some of them have been associated with hypertension, including licorice, which induces the so called mineralocorticoid-excess syndrome, a clinical picture resembling to pseudohyperaldosteronism. This action is mediated via inhibition of 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11-HSD2), leading to impaired inactivation of cortisol to cortisone, accumulation of cortisol, and finally to excessive mineralocorticoid activity, especially in the distal and cumulative tubule of kidneys. This syndrome is characterized by hypertension and hypokalemia. Herein, we report a case of a 37-year-old pregnant woman, who was referred from obstetrics department to our department due to persistent hypertension and hypokalemia. She consumed a herbal supplement called "mumijo" during the last 6 months. After a thorough diagnostic work-up, the diagnosis of a "licorice-like syndrome" due to mumijo consumption was made. Potassium supplementation at the acute phase and discontinuation of mumijo were the treatment of choice. This is the first report of pseudohyperaldosteronism due to mumijo consumption in literature. Clinicians should be aware of this side effect and this agent should be included in those causing pseudohyperaldosteronism. Besides all, our case highlights the undeniable value of a detailed medical history.

Lower esophageal sphincter relaxation by administrating hyoscine-N-butylbromide for esophageal impaction by coin - shaped foreign bodies; prospective clinical study in pediatric population.

Aim of the present study is the presentation of our experience in conservative treatment of coin-shaped, ingested foreign bodies in lower esophagus and the consideration about the indications of this method's appliance in clinical practice. From 2011 to 2014, 79 children in total (45 male - 34 female), aged from 8 months to 13 years (average 4.8 years) were admitted to our Department due to foreign body ingestion. In 21/79 patients the foreign body lodged in the esophagus, in 9 in the upper and in 12 in the lower esophagus. Cases of pre-existing esophageal stricture or of esophageal obstruction, due to sharp or linear foreign bodies or disk battery, were excluded. Finally, our study group consisted of 11 patients, aged from 10 months to 10 years (aver- age 4.6 years). The average time elapsed from the ingestion of the foreign body until the admission of the child in the Emergency Department was 4 hours. Young patients were administered suppository form of hyoscine-N-butylbromide, followed by repetition of radiograph 6 hours later. In 9 cases the ingested foreign body passed to the stomach within the first six hours, while in 2 cases no alteration of its position was noted, thus endoscopic removal followed. In these 9 cases the foreign body passed through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and was excreted within the next 1-3 days. Smooth muscle relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter after administration of hyoscine-N-butylbromide was successful in 82% of our patients, while the success rate in relevant publications ranges from 20 to 42%. In conclusion, it is worth noting that the pharmaceutical relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter is a safe alternative method of treatment in cases of foreign bodies lodged in the lower esophagus, except for linear or sharp objects or coin batteries. Given that the majority of hospitals in Northern Greece lacks of pediatric gastroenterologists, while endoscopic intervention - when indicated - should be conducted early after admission, it is obvious that the proposed method becomes essential.