Effect of Surgical Specialty on Management of Adnexal Masses in Children and Adolescents: An 8-Year Single-Center Review.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Children with adnexal masses might be managed by pediatric surgeons, urologists or gynecologists, with the potential for different management strategies between specialties. In this study we compared ovarian conservation rates and surgical approach for adnexal masses in children and adolescents managed either by pediatric surgeons/urologists or gynecologists at a tertiary care institution. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort review. SETTING: Tertiary pediatric and adult university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients younger than 18 years of age with an adnexal mass managed surgically with removal of histologically confirmed ovarian or fallopian tube tissue from 2008 to 2015. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic or open procedure for adnexal mass. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was rate of ovarian conservation relative to surgical specialty. The secondary outcome was surgical approach relative to surgical specialty. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients underwent surgery for adnexal masses; 26 (54%) under pediatric surgery/urology and 22 (46%) under gynecology care. Laparoscopy was performed in 5 (19%) pediatric and 19 (86%) gynecology cases (P = .000006). Of 24 patients older than 12 years of age with a benign tumor, 10 (42%) underwent procedures resulting in loss of an ovary with or without fallopian tube; 8 of these (80%) were under pediatric care. Of the remaining 14 (58%) who underwent ovarian conserving surgery, 12 (80%) were under gynecology care (P = .0027). CONCLUSION: Patients with a benign tumor were significantly more likely to undergo ovary-preserving surgery under gynecology care than under pediatric surgery/urology care. A multidisciplinary team approach involving gynecology and pediatric surgical specialties would be valuable in assessing the merits of ablative or conservative surgery in each case.

Intradetrusor injection of botulinum toxin A in children: a 10-year single centre experience.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the efficacy and safety outcomes of endoscopic intradetrusor botulinum toxin A (BTA) injections for the treatment of children with neuropathic bladder (NB) and non-neuropathic bladder (NNB) with or without detrusor overactivity in a single centre with a retrospective analysis. METHODS: For the period 2006-2015, children who received BTA in our hospital were analysed. They were divided into group 1, those with underlying NB and group 2, those without a clear neuropathic cause of symptoms (NNB). Data are given as percentages or medians (interquartile range). RESULTS: Over the study period, 52 children (28 boys, 54%) received BTA, 28 in group 1 (54%; 17 (61%) boys) and 24 in group 2 (46%; 11 (46%) boys). Age at first injection was 11.8 (9.5-14.4) years. After initial injection, 40 (77%) reported symptomatic improvement, 17 (43%) becoming dry. There was no significant difference in response to initial injection between groups (p = 0.11). Duration of improvement after first injection was 7 (5.8-14) months. Twenty-five (48%) had further injections, of whom 3 (12%) were initial non-responders. Ongoing improvement was reported in 20 (80%), 11 (44%) of whom were dry. There was no significant difference in overall response to injections between groups (p = 0.11). Of the 11 non-responders, none (0/3) improved after subsequent injection and 3 (27%) subsequently underwent major urological surgery. Of the 40 who responded, 2 (5%) underwent major surgery. CONCLUSION: BTA injection produced symptomatic improvement in 77% of our study population, with no significant differences in response between NB and NNB groups. In 95% of those who improved, major urinary tract procedures were avoided during the period studied. None of the initial non-responders improved after subsequent BTA injection. BTA injection is effective and reliable in the management of children with NB and NNB refractory to medical therapy.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (Hamman's syndrome): a rare cause of postpartum chest pain.

We present a case of a 28-year-old primiparous woman with facial swelling followed by acute chest pain immediately after delivery. Chest radiograph revealed pneumomediastinum and surgical emphysema. She recovered well within 24 h of observation and conservative management. Postpartum spontaneous pneumomediastinum should be considered in the differential diagnosis of sudden-onset postpartum chest pain immediately or a few hours after delivery. It is a rare benign condition and usually resolves spontaneously without serious consequences. Chest X-ray is the single most important diagnostic test. It is important to rule out other serious and life-threatening conditions. Prolonged pushing, difficult labour and use of inhalational drugs place young primiparous women at higher risk. Recurrence is uncommon in subsequent pregnancy and management is unclear, although expectant management with epidural analgaesia to prevent recurrence in subsequent pregnancy is suggested.

Juvenile allergic urethritis with urethro-ejaculatory reflux presenting as acute intermittent bilateral testicular torsion.

We report a case of juvenile allergic urethritis secondary to double concentrate orange squash of a famous brand in a 3-year-old boy who developed bilateral urethro-ejaculatory reflux (UER) and severe urethral, perineal and scrotal pain referred to both lower limbs intermittently predominantly during and after micturition-simulating features of bilateral intermittent testicular torsion. Accurate history, urinalysis, ultrasound, colour Doppler and food challenge were helpful in diagnosis. Topical steroids, antihistaminic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications together with withdrawal of the allergen produced complete recovery. Allergic urethritis in association with bilateral UER causing secondary seminal vesiculitis and epididymitis is rare. It presented as acute scrotum and responded to innovative treatment. Allergic disease can have a dramatic effect on a child's quality of life. This is the first documented case of allergic urethritis and associated UER presenting as juvenile acute scrotum. Steroids, antihistamines and anti-inflammatory agents together with avoidance of the allergen helped achieve recovery.

Latent vitellointestinal duct sinus presenting with massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding in an adolescent.

A 12-year-old boy with a history, at birth, of a weeping pink fleshy lesion after his umbilical cord detached, requiring repeated chemical cauterisation, presented with massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding and required resuscitation and blood transfusion. Augmented Tc99m nuclear medicine scan confirmed ectopic gastric mucosa. The lateral view suggested its attachment behind the umbilicus. At exploration, a latent vitellointestinal duct sinus with ectopic gastric mucosal mass was found. Segmental resection of the sinus and mass excision with primary anastomosis and incidental appendicectomy was curative. Pink fleshy mass discharging coloured fluid at the umbilicus following detachment of umbilical cord should be considered a remnant of vitellointestinal duct unless proved otherwise. A pink lesion with yellowish discharge resistant to chemical cauterisation should raise the suspicion of embryonic structures. Latent vitellointestinal sinus is a new lesion in the spectrum of umbilical anomalies. Lateral view of the nuclear medicine scan is helpful in locating the site.

Periurethral and vulval condylomata acuminata: an unusual juvenile venereal disease in a 3-year-old girl.

We present a case of giant condyloma acuminatum (CA) in a 3-year-old girl with rapidly growing vulval and periurethral lesions, which was investigated thoroughly and successfully treated with excision biopsy. Genital warts in the form of giant alarming vestibular, vulval and periurethral lesions of CA are very rare in children. There is need for a multidisciplinary approach with potential sociomedicolegal implications. Surgical excision is safe, effective and provides an opportunity to assess the extent of the lesion and tissue for accurate diagnosis. Genital warts in the form of giant alarming vestibular, vulval and periurethral lesions of CA are very rare in children. Indications for surgical treatment include large, recurrent or refractory lesions, as well as the need for histological identification and acquiring tissue for immunotherapy when necessary. The strategy of an extended follow-up is recommended so as to ensure identification of any risk situations.

Currarino's syndrome in twins presenting as neonatal intestinal obstruction--identical presentation in non-identical twins.

We report a case of non-identical twins who presented with identical neonatal intestinal obstruction with features of anorectal stenosis, presacral mass and sacral anomaly consistent with Currarino's syndrome or triad. Plain sacral radiograph, contrast enema and MRI were diagnostic. Initial management involved a defunctioning colostomy followed by a posterior sagittal anorectoplasty with excision of the teratoma ± anterior sacral meningocele and finally closure of colostomy in a staged multidisciplinary approach. The twins' father is also affected with features of Currarino's syndrome but was diagnosed during family screening. Currarino's syndrome presenting with identical neonatal low intestinal obstruction in a non-identical set of twins is rare and interesting. Antenatal diagnosis of Currarino's syndrome is difficult and may prove to be a challenge even in the postnatal period. Sacral spine radiograph, contrast enema and MRI are diagnostic. Management requires high index of suspicion, low threshold for MRI and multidisciplinary staged approach.

Sigmoid volvulus in an adolescent girl: staged management with emergency colonoscopic reduction and decompression followed by elective sigmoid colectomy.

A case of acute sigmoid volvulus in a 14-year-old adolescent girl presenting with acute low large bowel obstruction with a background of chronic constipation has been presented. Abdominal radiograph and CT scan helped in diagnosis. She underwent emergency colonoscopic detorsion and decompression uneventfully. Lower gastrointestinal contrast study showed very redundant sigmoid colonic loop without any transition zone and she subsequently underwent elective sigmoid colectomy with good outcome. The sigmoid volvulus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of paediatric acute abdomen presenting with marked abdominal distention, absolute constipation and pain but without vomiting. Plain abdominal radiograph and the CT scan are helpful to confirm the diagnosis. Early colonoscopic detorsion and decompression allows direct visualisation of the vascular compromise, assessment of band width of the volvulus and can reduce complications and mortality. Associated Hirschsprung's disease should be suspected if clinical and radiological features are suggestive in which case a rectal biopsy before definitive surgery should be considered.

Laparoscopic management of midgut malrotation and tuberculous peritonitis in an adolescent boy.

An unusual case of miliary plastic peritonitis associated with midgut malrotation in an adolescent in whom various diagnostic investigations, medical management and staged initial laparoscopic diagnostic followed by therapeutic procedure was curative have been presented. Tuberculous miliary plastic peritonitis causes dense adhesions between bowel loops and prevents midgut volvulus in a pre-existing malrotation. Diagnosis can be a challenge and threshold for diagnostic laparoscopy should be low. Interval correction of malrotation by laparoscopy after complete resolution of tuberculosis is easy, safe and effective, and cosmetically more pleasing. Midgut malrotation is a congenital anomaly referring to either lack of or incomplete rotation of fetal axis around the axis of superior mesenteric artery during fetal development. Most patients present with bilious vomiting in the first month of life because of duodenal obstruction or a volvulus. This is an unusual case of midgut malrotation in association with tuberculous peritonitis in an adolescent boy.

Paediatric giant cervicomediastinal thymolipoma.

We report a case of a 11-year-old boy who presented with a massive soft tissue right cervical painless and progressive lesion displacing trachea to the left and extending into the anteriosuperior mediastinum which was diagnosed to be a lipomatous mass on chest CT scan. Subsequent biopsy and total excision proved it to be a giant cervicomediastinal thymolipoma. It was successfully excised with excellent prognosis and long-term results. A giant paediatric cervicomediastinal thymolipoma is a rare, benign, mediastinal mass of thymic origin. It may remain asymptomatic despite massive size and up to 50% in some series are associated with autoimmune disease. CT scan gives fat density and encapsulated benign nature and biopsy usually establishes the diagnosis. Preoperative tissue diagnosis is important as now the availability of thoracoscopic option is best suited to reduce morbidity. Treatment of choice is total excision using open surgical, minimal invasive techniques or robotic surgery and the prognosis is excellent.

Trilogy of foregut, midgut and hindgut atresias presenting in reverse order.

We present a case of triple gut atresias (foregut, midgut and hindgut) with multiple congenital anomalies presenting as imperforate anus. Abdominal radiography showed the double bubble sign. Upper gastrointestinal study through a nasogastric tube confirmed duodenal obstruction. Exploratory laparotomy, duodeno-duodenostomy for duodenal atresia and a left descending colostomy for anorectal malformation were performed. During extubation, the nasogastric tube came out and could not be reinserted by the anaesthetic team under laryngoscopic guidance. A chest radiograph showed the tube curled in the upper pouch. Bronchoscopy and oesophagoscopy confirmed oesophageal atresia (OA) with a distal tracheoesophageal fistula (TOF). The patient underwent right-sided extrapleural thoracotomy and division of the fistula with primary repair of OA uneventfully. Triple gut atresias presenting in reverse order with multiple anomalies is rare and passage of a nasogastric tube into the stomach in the presence of OA+TOF is exceptional. Alimentary tract obstruction should be corrected in proximal to distal direction.

Antenatal mild hydronephrosis with subsequent polyp of the upper ureter in a child presenting with recurrent Dietl's crisis.

We report a 7-year-old boy who had antenatally diagnosed and postnatally confirmed asymptomatic right congenital hydronephrosis secondary to ureteropelvic junction obstruction with the anteroposterior diameter ranging from 7 to 15 mm on serial ultrasound scans till the age of 6 years. He then presented with recurrent attacks of Dietl's crisis almost every month in the seventh year of his life and eluded diagnosis for over a year at various national hospitals, and ended up with an international referral to us. Investigations of the acute attacks clinched the diagnosis of ureteral polyp causing intermittent crisis and he underwent segmental resection and reconstruction in the form of dismembered Anderson-Hyne pyeloplasty with good recovery. Our case revealed that prenatally detected hydronephrosis may worsen after spontaneous postnatal improvement and a polyp acting as a flip valve may produce intermittent hydronephrosis and symptoms later in life. The child should undergo urgent investigations during acute symptoms.