Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis: confirmation of diagnosis by endoscopic puncture a review of pathogenesis, associated disease and therapy and a new theory of cyst formation.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is the term for the formation of intramural gas filled cysts of unclear pathogenesis in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. We report two patients with PCI where the diagnosis was confirmed by endoscopic puncture of a lesion, resulting in a complete deflation of the cyst, and two patients who underwent surgery. Endoscopy offers a safe and quick way to confirm the diagnosis of PCI. The immunohistochemical study revealed histiocytic cells and foreign body giant cells in the cystic wall, corresponding to a secondary histiocytic organization of gas-filled pseudocysts rather than to the widespread theory of gas-filled lymph vessels.

[Pancreatoblastoma--a rare pancreatic malignancy in childhood]. / Das Pankreatoblastom--ein seltenes Pankreasmalignom des Kindesalters.

Between 1885 and 1991 only 71 cases of malignant pancreatic tumours in childhood and adolescence have been reported in literature; the majority of these were pancreatoblastomas. The symptoms, pathology and therapy of this rare tumour are demonstrated in the case of a 17-year-old girl. The tumour is believed to develop at an early stage of pancreatic cell differentiation. Usually it is composed of both exocrine and endocrine cell types. The treatment of choice is radical resection. In contrast to pancreatic neoplasms in adult patients the pancreatoblastoma has a favourable prognosis. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy is still under discussion due to the small number of patients treated as yet.