Congenital Meatal Urethral Stenosis in a Female Patient: A Case Report.

We present the case of a 6-year-old girl who presented with alterations in the voiding stream. On physical examination, a very small urethral meatus was identified at the expense of a membrane. The renovesical ultrasound showed no alterations. An uroflowmetric study was performed, showing a bladder outlet obstruction pattern. The urethral meatus was calibrated and a ventral meatotomy was performed. The histological study of the resected membrane showed a transitional urethral mucosa with chronic focal inflammation and discrete hyperplasia. The patient evolved favorably, with resolution of the symptoms and no notable complications. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first reported case with a histological study of a congenital meatal urethral stenosis. In the presence of lower urinary tract obstruction, this entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Surgical treatment is curative.

Congenital Prepubic Sinus as a Variant of Incomplete Urethral Dorsal Duplication: A Case Report with New Insights into its Immunohistochemical Characterization and a Comprehensive Literature Review.

Congenital prepubic sinus (PS) is an extremely infrequent malformation consisting of a prepubic fistulous tract that classically does not communicate with the genitourinary system. Previous studies centered on its immunohistochemical characterization have shown inconsistent results, and the etiology has not been clarified. We present the case of a 2-year-old male who presented since birth with a fistulous orifice on the dorsum of the penis. He had no associated symptoms. Under general anesthesia, the fistulous tract was explored, and methylene blue was instilled through it. After cystoscopically verifying the absence of communication with the urethra, a complete resection of the lesion was performed. The immunohistochemical study showed positivity for low and high molecular weight keratins and a transitional pattern for keratin 7 and GATA3, with positivity at cul de sac level and negativity at proximal level. These findings suggest that this lesion is an incomplete dorsal duplication variant.

[Urachal remnant and acute abdomen: when it's not what it seems].

Among the causes of acute surgical abdomen, infection of a urachal remnant may go unnoticed despite routine complementary studies. We present three cases in boys aged 11, 6, and 4 years who were brought to the emergency department for right iliac fossa pain, fever, and urinary symptoms. Examination and complementary tests results were compatible with acute complicated appendicitis and were sent to surgery. While in the operating room, appendicitis was excluded and inflammatory changes suggestive of infection of the urachal remnant were documented. Complications of urachal remnants should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute surgical abdomen, since advanced infection of the urachus may be a cause of confusion. A more accurate presumptive diagnosis can change the therapeutic/surgical approach and follow-up.

Remanentes uracales y abdomen agudo: cuando no es lo que parece / Urachal remnant and acute abdomen: when it's not what it seems

Dentro de las causas de abdomen agudo quirúrgico, la infección de un remanente uracal puede pasar desapercibida en cuadros evolucionados a pesar de las pruebas complemetarias habituales.Presentamos tres casos de varones de 11, 6 y 4 años llevados a urgencias por dolor en fosa iliaca derecha, fiebre y síntomas urinarios. La exploración y las pruebas complementarias eran compatibles con patología apendicular aguda evolucionada y fueron intervenidos con dicha sospecha. En el quirófano se descartó apendicitis y se documentaron cambios inflamatorios sugestivos de infección de remanente uracal. Las complicaciones de los remanentes uracales deben ser tenidas en cuenta en el diagnóstico diferencial del abdomen agudo quirúrgico, ya que la infección evolucionada de estos puede confundirnos. Un diagnóstico de presunción más certero puede cambiar nuestra actitud terapéutica, quirúrgica y el seguimiento.(AU)

Among the causes of acute surgical abdomen, infection of a urachal remnant may go unnoticed despite routine complementary studies.We present three cases in boys aged 11, 6, and 4 years who were brought to the emergency department for right iliac fossa pain, fever, and urinary symptoms. Examination and complementary tests results were compatible with acute complicated appendicitis and were sent to surgery. While in the operating room, appendicitis was excluded and inflammatory changes suggestive of infection of the urachal remnant were documented. Complications of urachal remnants should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute surgical abdomen, since advanced infection of the urachus may be a cause of confusion. A more accurate presumptive diagnosis can change the therapeutic/surgical approach and follow-up.(AU)

Crossed Testicular Ectopia: Report of Two Cases in Children of Consanguineous Parents.

Crossed testicular ectopia (CTE) is an extremely rare anomaly of urogenital development. The etiopathogenic mechanism is unknown. Medical records of two biological siblings with a confirmed diagnosis of CTE being managed at our center were collected. The first patient was born with a non-palpable left testis. An exploratory laparoscopy was performed and a CTE was found. The second patient had an incarcerated left inguinal hernia and a mesopenile hypospadias. During surgery a CTE was observed. The parents were consanguineous. This is the first reported case of CTE in siblings.

Dysfunctional Voiding in Pediatrics: A Review of Pathophysiology and Current Treatment Modalities.

In Dysfunctional Voiding (DV), the external urethral sphincter or pelvic diaphragm (consisting of striated muscle) contracts during voiding, contrary to normal physiological mechanism. In Flowmetry plus pelvic Electromyography (EMG), the perineal surface electrodes will show a persistent activity during voiding. The cause is believed to be the persistence of an immature bladder control. The overall prevalence of DV is estimated between 7 and 11% of girls of school age. Symptoms of DV comprise a range of symptoms, deriving from outlet obstruction, incomplete voiding and elevated Post Micturition Residual (PMR): from daytime urine leaks, nocturnal enuresis, Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), or Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), to the final decompensation of upper urinary tract in extreme cases. The literature reflects a high prevalence of constipation among these patients: between 33 and 56% of dysfunctional voiders are constipated. Initially, therapy of functional voiding disorders such as DV, comprises a series of fundamental principles called Urotherapy or voiding re-education. Currently, Urinary animated Biofeedback (Bfb) is the treatment modality of choice. This therapy discloses patients their own physiological and muscular mechanisms. Majority of the studies on Bfb efficacy reflect an improvement/ cure rate of around 70-80%. Initial flowmetric improvement followed by symptom relief or clinical improvement as the Bfb sessions continue, is likely to occur. It has been observed that there are two variables associated with clinical success of Bfb in DV syndrome: the absence of PMR at the end of treatment and an adequate or even aggressive constipation management.

Colocación de sondas de pHmetría mediante fórmula relacionada con la talla. ¿Es un método aplicable a los adultos? / Placement of pH-monitoring probes using height-related formulas. Is it an applicable method to adults?

INTRODUCCIÓN: La pHmetría esofágica permite cuantificar los episodios de reflujo ácido en pacientes con enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico (ERGE). El posicionamiento adecuado del electrodo de pH a 5 cm por encima del esfínter esofágico inferior (EEI), determina la precisión de la prueba. La manera más exacta para localizar el EEI es mediante su determinación previa por manometría esofágica, pero es una técnica molesta, por lo que en niños tendemos a utilizar fórmulas matemáticas. OBJETIVOS: Valorar la aplicabilidad de las fórmulas pediátricas de estimación de longitud esofágica en pacientes adultos y su repercusión en la precisión diagnóstica. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio prospectivo en pacientes adultos en el que la distancia desde el borde de la narina hasta el EEI determinada por manometría se ha comparado con la distancia estimada en relación a la talla calculada por 4 fórmulas pediátricas (numeradas del 1 al 4). También hemos valorado la relación entre posición de la sonda y porcentaje de reflujos detectados en nuestra serie de impedanciometría. RESULTADOS: La fórmula 1 (9,31 + talla cm × 0,197) fue la más precisa (comparación de medias −0,38 con IC 95% −0,70 a −0,06, p = 0,019). Con dicha fórmula, ningún paciente presentó errores de estimación de ± 6 cm. Con las fórmulas 2, 3 y 4 el porcentaje de error fue del 4,4, del 1,5 y del 32,0%, respectivamente. CONCLUSIÓN: La estimación de la longitud del esófago en adultos mediante la fórmula 1 es aceptable y puede usarse en casos en los que el paciente rechace la realización de una manometría previa

INTRODUCTION: Oesophageal pH-monitoring allows the quantification of gastric reflux episodes in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The accuracy of the test depends on correct positioning of the pH sensor 5 cm above the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES). The most precise manner to locate the LES is through prior determination by oesophageal manometry. However, because this technique is uncomfortable, mathematical formulas tend to be used in children. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the applicability of paediatric formulas to estimate oesophageal length in adults and their effect on diagnostic accuracy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was carried out in adult patients, in whom the distance between the nasal orifice and the LES was determined by manometry and was compared with the estimated height-related distance calculated by four paediatric formulas (numbered 1 to 4). We also evaluated the relationship between the position of the probe and the percentage of reflux detected in our series of impedance measurements. RESULTS: Formula 1 (9.31 + height in cm × 0.197) was the most accurate (comparison of means −0.38 with 95% CI −0.70/−0.06, P = .019). With this formula, none of the patients had estimation errors of ± 6 cm. With formulas 2, 3 and 4, the percentage of error was 4.4%, 1.5% and 32.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Oesophageal length estimation in adults by using formula 1 is acceptable and can be used in adult patients who refuse to undergo prior manometry

[Placement of pH-monitoring probes using height-related formulas. Is it an applicable method to adults?]. / Colocación de sondas de pHmetría mediante fórmula relacionada con la talla. ¿Es un método aplicable a los adultos?

INTRODUCTION: Oesophageal pH-monitoring allows the quantification of gastric reflux episodes in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The accuracy of the test depends on correct positioning of the pH sensor 5 cm above the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES). The most precise manner to locate the LES is through prior determination by oesophageal manometry. However, because this technique is uncomfortable, mathematical formulas tend to be used in children. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the applicability of paediatric formulas to estimate oesophageal length in adults and their effect on diagnostic accuracy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was carried out in adult patients, in whom the distance between the nasal orifice and the LES was determined by manometry and was compared with the estimated height-related distance calculated by four paediatric formulas (numbered 1 to 4). We also evaluated the relationship between the position of the probe and the percentage of reflux detected in our series of impedance measurements. RESULTS: Formula 1 (9.31 + height in cm × 0.197) was the most accurate (comparison of means -0.38 with 95%CI -0.70/-0.06, P = .019). With this formula, none of the patients had estimation errors of ± 6 cm. With formulas 2, 3 and 4, the percentage of error was 4.4%, 1.5% and 32.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Oesophageal length estimation in adults by using formula 1 is acceptable and can be used in adult patients who refuse to undergo prior manometry.

Rescue by pneumoenema under general anaesthesia of apparently non-reducible intestinal intussusception.

UNLABELLED: When an enema in the radiology unit is unsuccessful in treating intussusception, patients must undergo surgery. A further attempt at reduction under general anaesthesia in the operating room prior to laparotomy could avoid surgical intervention. A prospective study was carried out from 2002 to 2010 on paediatric patients with intestinal intussusception who underwent a deinvagination procedure in radiology with no anaesthesia. Unresolved cases were included in either group 3a (direct surgery) or group 3b (pneumoenema under general anaesthesia in the operating room), depending if the paediatric surgeon on duty wanted or not to participate in the study. Ninety-eight patients were included in the study. Six patients (group 1) were immediately operated after diagnosis because peritonitis was clinically suspected. Sixty-seven patients were successfully treated with an anaesthesia-free procedure in the radiology department (group 2). Of the 25 cases with initial treatment failure (group 3), 11 were assigned to group 3a (immediate laparotomy) and 14 to group 3b (pneumoenema with general anaesthesia). All patients in the 3b group were successfully treated by this procedure. There were no differences between the groups in terms of age, sex or evolution time. The average length of hospital stay and the number of repeated hospitalizations were significantly higher for group 3a. CONCLUSION: We consider that general anaesthesia increases effective reduction pressures and could avoid many surgeries in apparently non-reducible intestinal intussusceptions.

Lymphatic preservation in varicocele in the adolescent: does prior embolization limit spermatic dissection?

OBJECTIVE: One of the complications after complete section of the spermatic pedicle in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic varicocele is the formation of a scrotal lymphocele. This can be avoided by preserving lymphatic vessels using dye, but there is a risk that dissection may be complicated in patients who have previously undergone embolization. The aim of this study was to determine whether prior embolization limits spermatic dissection. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We used lymphography with dye (Patent Blue) prior to surgery in order to mark and preserve the lymph vessels during spermatic section. This was done by laparoscopy with a single umbilical port. RESULTS: We treated six patients aged 12.5-15 years (mean 13.12 years), two of whom had grade 2 varicoceles and four grade 3. Prior percutaneous embolization with metallic coils had been undertaken in all cases but had not been curative. Post-surgery controls were undertaken for a mean duration of 5 months without any lymphoceles appearing. No testicles were lost, nor did any other complication arise. CONCLUSION: The presence of embolization material in the spermatic veins and perivascular fibrosis does not complicate surgery, enabling the single port laparoscopic technique to be undertaken.

[Endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in pediatric patients with the diagnosis of neurogenic bladder. Results and long-term outcome]. / Tratamiento endoscópico del reflujo vésicoureteral en pacientes pediátricos diagnosticados de vejiga neurógena. Resultados y evolución a largo plazo.

OBJECTIVES: To know the results, complications and outcomes of eight patients with the diagnosis of neurogenic bladder (NB) who underwent vesicoureteral reflux surgery by subureteral injection of inert substances, trying to precise its indication in the therapeutic scheme for neurogenic bladder dysfunction. METHODS: Retrospective review of the results and complications recorded during follow-up in eight pediatric patients with NB secondary to various pathologies and the diagnosis of VUR treated by subureteral injection of Teflon paste (1 case), polydimethylsiloxane (6) and dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer (1). RESULTS: In 8 (72.7%) of the 11 ureters treated VUR was cured after first injection. VUR stopped after second endoscopic treatment in 2 of the 3 ureters with persistent VUR. The efficacy of endoscopic treatment after second injection achieved 90.9%. In 2 unilateral cases we observed contralateral VUR, which cured in one case after endoscopic treatment and the other one followed a conservative scheme. Over the follow-up period (Mean FU time 51.8 +/- 28.5 months) 4 cases presented complications. VUR recurred in two: in one contralateral VUR was detected 19 months after first treatment, the other one presented bilateral ureterohydronephrosis with recurrent urinary tract infections and required augmentation cystoplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic treatment is an effective option when choosing surgical treatment for VUR in a patient with neurogenic bladder. It is necessary to follow the long-term outcome of patients after surgery, mainly those with abnormal bladder capacity and compliance and active or dyssynergic urethra due to the possibility of recurrence of the VUR.

Tratamiento endoscópico del reflujo vésicoureteral en pacientes pediátricos diagnosticados de vejiga neurógena. Resultados y evolución a largo plazo / Endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in pediatric patients with the diagnosis of neurogenic bladder. Results and long-term outcome

Objetivo: Conocer los resultados, complicaciones y la evolución de ocho pacientes diagnosticados de Vejiga neurógena (VN), intervenidos de Reflujo vesicoureteral (RVU) mediante la inyección subureteral de sustancias inertes, intentando precisar su indicación en el esquema terapéutico de la alteración vesical neurógena. Métodos: Revisión retrospectiva de los resultados obtenidos y de las complicaciones evidenciadas durante los controles evolutivos efectuados a ocho pacientes en edad pediátrica con VN secundaria a diferentes patologías, diagnosticados de RVU, tratado mediante inyección subureteral de pasta de teflón (1 caso), polidimetilsiloxano (6) y copolímero de dextranómero y ácido hialurónico (1). Resultados: De los 11 uréteres tratados en 8 (72.7%) el RVU curó después de la primera inyección. De los 3 uréteres con persistencia del RVU, en dos cesó después del segundo tratamiento endoscópico (TE). La eficacia del TE después de la segunda inyección alcanzó el 90.9%. En dos casos unilaterales evidenciamos RVU contralateral que curó mediante TE en uno siguiendo pauta conservadora el segundo. Durante el periodo de seguimiento (tiempo medio: 51.8 +/- 28.5 meses) presentaron complicaciones 4 casos. Reapareció el RVU en dos, observamos RVU contralateral en uno a los 19 meses del primer tratamiento y en otro evidenciamos ureterohidronefrosis bilateral con infecciones urinarias recurrentes que precisó de cistoplastia de aumento. Conclusiones: El TE es una opción eficaz cuando se decide el tratamiento quirúrgico del RVU en un paciente con vejiga neurógena. Es necesario seguir la evolución a largo plazo de los pacientes intervenidos, sobre todo aquellos con capacidad y acomodación vesical alterada y uretra activa o disinérgica, ante la posibilidad de aparición del RVU ya curado (AU)

Objectives: To know the results, complications and outcomes of eight patients with the diagnosis of neurogenic bladder (NB) who underwent vesicoureteral reflux surgery by subureteral injection of inert substances, trying to precise its indication in the therapeutic scheme for neurogenic bladder dysfunction. Methods: Retrospective review of the results and complications recorded during follow-up in eight pediatric patients with NB secondary to various pathologies and the diagnosis of VUR treated by subureteral injection of Teflon paste (1 case), polydimethylsiloxane (6) and dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer (1). Results: In 8 (72.7%) of the 11 ureters treated VUR was cured after first injection. VUR stopped after second endoscopic treatment in 2 of the 3 ureters with persistent VUR. The efficacy of endoscopic treatment after second injection achieved 90.9%. In 2 unilateral cases we observed contralateral VUR, which cured in one case after endoscopic treatment and the other one followed a conservative scheme. Over the follow-up period (Mean FU time 51.8+/- 28.5 months) 4 cases presented complications. VUR recurred in two: in one contralateral VUR was detected 19 months after first treatment, the other one presented bilateral ureterohydronephrosis with recurrent urinary tract infections and required augmentation cystoplasty. Conclusions: Endoscopic treatment is an effective option when choosing surgical treatment for VUR in a patient with neurogenic bladder. It is necessary to follow the long-term outcome of patients after surgery, mainly those with abnormal bladder capacity and compliance and active or dyssynergic urethra due to the possibility of recurrence of the VUR (AU)

Intestinal perforation caused by magnetic toys.

Accidental ingestion of foreign bodies is a common problem in children, but ingestion of magnets is rare. When multiple magnets are ingested, they may attract each other through the intestinal walls, causing pressure necrosis, perforation, fistula formation, or intestinal obstruction; as has been reported in 13 cases in the past 10 years. We report the fifth case in the literature of intestinal perforation and fistula caused by the ingestion of 2 small magnetic pieces of a toy by a 3-year-old boy. We find it necessary that sanitary authorities give more information to parents and physicians about the potential risks of these magnetic toys.