Fibrin Glue Repair of a Traumatic Rectovaginal Fistula in a Pediatric Patient.

BACKGROUND: Rectovaginal fistulas are often associated with obstetric trauma and present with leakage of stool or flatus from the vagina. They are often repaired via fistulaectomy, but sometimes more complex repairs are needed. There are limited data regarding success using fibrin glue to close the tract. CASE: A developmentally delayed pediatric patient presented with right hip pain. Imaging studies identified a hairpin penetrating the rectovaginal space. The hairpin was removed during an exam under anesthesia, and the subsequent rectovaginal fistula was closed with fibrin glue. Closure of the tract has persisted for more than 1 year without need for further intervention. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Fibrin glue may be a minimally invasive and safe approach for rectovaginal fistulas in the pediatric patient.

Laparoscopic Management of an Ovarian Dermoid Cyst Containing a Mandibular Structure with Teeth: A Novel Surgical Approach.

BACKGROUND: The presence of ectodermal-derived tissue, including teeth, in an ovarian dermoid cyst is a common occurrence. The presence of a fully formed mandibular structure with teeth, however, is rare, and there are few case reports in the literature that discuss its surgical management. CASE: We report a case of an adolescent girl found to have a mandibular structure with teeth in her dermoid cyst at the time of her laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy and a novel surgical approach in the extraction of the cyst contents from the abdominal cavity. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: The use of an arthroscopic surgical blade to morcellate the mandibular-like bone allowed for completion of the procedure laparoscopically, without laparotomy for specimen extraction, allowing the patient to benefit from the advantages of minimally invasive surgery.

Microperforate Hymen and Pyocolpos: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Microperforate hymen is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by a small pinpoint opening in the hymen; girls with this anomaly are prone to develop ascending pelvic infections and recurrent urinary tract infections. CASE: We report the case of a 3-year-old girl who presented with fevers, abdominal pain, recurrent vaginitis, and dysuria. She was found to have a microperforate hymen and pyocolpos. She was treated with intravenous antibiotics and underwent hymenotomy and drainage of 150 cc of purulent fluid. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: This case highlights the need to perform thorough genital inspection and to consider hymenal anomalies in the differential diagnosis of girls who present with recurrent dysuria, vaginitis, fevers, and abdominal pain. Early intervention might prevent the development of pyocolpos and other sequelae associated with this anomaly.

Wilms Tumor With Metastasis to the Vagina: A Case Report.

A 12-year-old female presented with abdominal pain, night sweats, weight loss, constipation, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, and vaginal discharge. Examination revealed a palpable flank mass and a large tumor adherent to the anterior vaginal wall. Computed tomography scan demonstrated a 23 cm mass in the left kidney, a separate 10.8 cm pelvic mass, and metastatic disease. Biopsies were consistent with Wilms tumor. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and a left radical nephrectomy were performed for her stage IV disease as the kidney was amiable to complete resection. The patient received radiation and resumed chemotherapy. She was doing well with improved symptoms at follow-up.

Primary vaginal dilation for vaginal agenesis: strategies to anticipate challenges and optimize outcomes.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Primary vaginal dilation is patient controlled, safe, less painful, and much lower cost compared with operative vaginoplasty and is considered first-line treatment for vaginal agenesis for women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome and androgen insensitivity syndrome. RECENT FINDINGS: This review will highlight studies that assess the optimal methods of primary vaginal dilation and clarify ideal counseling, frequency of dilation, management of side-effects, and long-term physical and psychological outcomes. SUMMARY: Providers who care for women with vaginal agenesis should be prepared to not only teach the technical skill of dilation, but also to assess readiness and troubleshoot symptoms associated with dilation.

Torsion of fallopian tube remnant associated with noncommunicating rudimentary horn in adolescent girl with unicornuate uterus.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of müllerian anomalies may be as high as 7% in the general population, yet there is scant published literature on adnexal torsion occurring in these patients. CASE: A 14-year-old female presented with right lower quadrant pain. Pelvic ultrasonography demonstrated a 2-cm simple right adnexal cyst. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed a unicornuate uterus with a normal left uterine horn and fallopian tube but atretic and cordlike müllerian structures on the right side. Torsion of the right tubal remnant and two paratubal cysts were noted and the structures were then excised. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Agenesis, hypoplasia, or maldevelopment of müllerian structures may predispose patients to an increased risk of adnexal torsion secondary to looser ligamentous attachments and consequent lack of fixation to the pelvic sidewall.

Key clinical predictors in the early diagnosis of adnexal torsion in children.

OBJECTIVE: Adnexal torsion (AT) accounts for 2.7% of cases of acute abdominal pain in children. When AT is undiagnosed, ovarian blood supply is compromised, eventually leading to tissue necrosis. Because the clinical presentation of AT is nonspecific, preoperative diagnosis is challenging. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors that differentiate AT from other sources of acute abdominal pain. METHODS: This study was an IRB-approved retrospective chart review of girls age 4-18 y/o with acute abdominal pain who then underwent surgical evaluation. Data collected included age, menarchal status, symptoms, physical exam findings, laboratory tests, imaging studies, operative procedures and postoperative diagnosis. Factors associated with AT were included in a logistic regression model. A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve based on this model was then constructed in order to determine its ability to predict AT. RESULTS: 94 patients presented with acute abdominal pain; 45 were diagnosed with AT and 49 with other causes of abdominal pain. Presence of intermittent pain (P < .0217), non-radiating pain (P < .0229) and increased adnexal size (P < .0032) were significantly associated with AT in the final model. The area under the ROC curve was equal to 0.8601, suggesting excellent discrimination between AT and other causes of acute abdominal pain by using these 3 parameters. CONCLUSION: Key clinical and imaging findings can aid in the early diagnosis of AT in children. Future prospective studies will focus on development of a clinical predictive model for the diagnosis of AT in the pediatric population.

Management of isolated tubal torsion in a premenarchal adolescent female with prior oophoropexy: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Isolated tubal torsion in a premenarchal adolescent girl is a rare phenomenon. Preoperative diagnosis remains a challenge. CASE: A 14-year-old premenarchal girl, with a history of bilateral ovarian torsion treated by laparoscopic detorsion and oophoropexy two years prior, presented to the emergency room with lower abdominal pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Pelvic ultrasound demonstrated an enlarged left adnexa. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed an isolated left tubal torsion. Surgical evidence of previous bilateral plication of the utero-ovarian ligaments was confirmed. Untwisting of the left fallopian tube immediately restored the vascular supply. Subsequently, her symptoms resolved. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Clinicians should consider torsion of the fallopian tube in the differential diagnosis of lower abdominal pain in all female patients. Prompt laparoscopic intervention is essential. Oophoropexy, while usually efficacious, may not prevent recurrence.

Simultaneous development of ulcerative colitis in the colon and sigmoid neovagina.

Vaginoplasty using sigmoid colon is a common technique for creation of a neovagina. However, special consideration must be given to potential long term consequences of using a colonic conduit for vaginal replacement. We report on the youngest described case in which a patient developed ulcerative colitis refractory to medical therapy with simultaneous involvement of a sigmoid neovagina requiring total proctocolectomy and neovaginectomy. A 17 year old XY female with a history of gonadal dysgenesis and sigmoid graft vaginoplasty presented with a history of bloody, mucoid vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and weight loss. Colonic and neovaginal biopsies demonstrated active colitis with diffuse ulcerations, consistent with ulcerative colitis. Despite aggressive immunosuppressive treatment she had persistent neovaginal and colonic bleeding requiring multiple transfusions, subtotal colectomy and ultimately completion proctectomy and neovaginectomy. It is imperative to recognize that colectomy alone may be an inadequate surgical intervention in patients with ulcerative colitis and a colonic neovaginal graft and that a concomitant neovaginectomy may be integral in providing appropriate treatment.

Clinical variability in approaches to polycystic ovary syndrome.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate methods of initial diagnosis and management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) among members of the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG) to assess the degree of practice heterogeneity among specialist providers of adolescent care. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, anonymous, internet survey PARTICIPANTS: NASPAG membership (N = 326; Respondents = 127 (39%)) RESULTS: Percentage of respondents who incorporated specific tests at initial diagnosis was highly variable ranging from 87% (thyroid stimulating hormone) to 17% (sex hormone binding globulin). Oral contraceptives and diet modification/exercise were the most common therapies recommended by 98% and 90% of respondents respectively. CONCLUSION: Considerable practice heterogeneity was present with regards to diagnostic testing for suspected PCOS. Recommendations for first-line therapy were more consistent. Future studies should clarify the clinical utility of specific diagnostic tests for adolescents, such that selection of diagnostic testing is evidence based.

A comprehensive approach to the spectrum of abnormal pubertal development.

Puberty is the biological transition from childhood to adulthood. The process involves the coordination of hormonal, physical, psychosocial, and cognitive systems to result in physiologic change. Precocious puberty is defined as pubertal development beginning earlier than expected based on normal standards. Gonadotropin dependent precocious puberty is caused by premature activation of the hypothalamus resulting in pulsatile secretion of GnRH. Gonadotropin independent precocious puberty is caused by excess sex hormones from peripheral or external sources. Treatment with GnRH agonists should be offered to prevent early fusion of the epiphyseal plates to avoid unnecessary short stature and should not be based on perceived psychosocial consequences of early puberty. Delayed puberty is the absence of or incomplete development of secondary sexual characteristics. Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism or primary hypogonadism may result from genetic mutation syndromes or can be acquired from antiovarian antibodies, exposure to radiation or chemotherapy, inflammatory insult, or surgical removal of the gonads. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism or secondary hypogonadism is due to hypothalamic dysfunction resulting in impaired secretion of GnRH. The long-term goal for patients with inadequate estrogen stimulation is to maintain the serum concentration of sex steroids within the normal adult range to promote the development of secondary sexual characteristics, prevent premature bone loss, and ultimately to induce fertility when indicated.

Membranous dysmenorrhea: a complication of treatment for endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: Progesterones are frequently used to treat endometriosis. Exaggerated response of the endometrium to high levels of progesterone can result in a decidualization reaction. Decidualization may cause an exacerbation of symptoms of dysmenorrhea associated with endometriosis. CASE: A 16-year-old girl with uterine didelphys and obstructed hemivagina presented with irregular bleeding and severe abdominal cramping after resection of the vaginal septum. Persistent endometriosis treated with norethindrone acetate resulted in severe colicky abdominal pain and expulsion of a decidual cast. CONCLUSION: Membranous dysmenorrhea can occur in response to excess progesterones. An understanding of the physiologic response of the endometrium to treatment will guide us to a high clinical suspicion of this rare entity when symptoms worsen in response to progesteronal treatment for endometriosis.