[Tubulized gastric fundus in the treatment of esophageal atresia]. / Fundus gástrico tubulizado en el tratamiento de las atresias de esófago de segmento largo.

When is impossible to restore the oesophageal continuity in oesophageal atresia (EA), the stomach elevation (whether tubulized or complete) and colon interposition are the most accomplished techniques, usually from the age of six month, in different steps and with the result of a high mortality, prolonged hospitalizations and high familial and economical cost. From a total of 34 EA diagnosed in an eleven years period, we had treated three children, tubulizing the gastric fundus with mechanical sutures in continuity with the distal oesophageal end in neonatal period. The procedure is done with preservation of the distal esophageal end in continuity with the tubuliced gastric fundus with mecanichal staplers. All the patients had needed pneumatic dilatations of the anastomosis After eleven years, eight years and six months follow-up respectively, the clinical behaviour of those patients is suitable, without swallowing problems and with weight and height development in predictable limits. We think that this kind of neoesophagus is useful to treat the long segment EA in newborns as it sets an esophago-gastric tube orthotopically, with homogeneous diameter in a isoperistaltic continuity, in neonatal period and in one step, putting aside the gastrostomy performed at the firsts hours of life and obtaining an important decreasing of mobility and hospitalisation stay.

Fundus gástrico tubulizado en el tratamiento de las atresias de esófago de segmento largo / Tubulized gastric fundus in the treatment of esophageal atresia

Cuando resulta imposible restablecer la continuidad esofágica en las atresias de esófago (AE), el ascenso del estómago sólo y/otubulizado y la interposición de colon son las técnicas más realizadas, normalmente a partir de los 6 meses de edad, en varios tiempos y con alta morbilidad, larga estancia hospitalaria y alto coste social, familiar y económico. Hemos tratado a tres niños con AE, de un total de 34 AE diagnosticadas, en un período de 11 años, tubulizando el fundus gástrico, con suturas mecánicas, en continuidad con el cabo distal esofágico, en período neonatal. La técnica (basada en la técnica de Schärli) conlleva la tubulización desde la curvatura menor gástrica del fundus gástrico, mediante el uso de suturas mecánicas en continuidad con el cabo distal esofágico. De esta manera se efectúa una anastomosis esofago esofágica conservando el cardias y tubulizando el estómago en sentido isoperistáltico. Todos los pacientes han requerido dilataciones neumáticas de la anastomosis esofago esofágica. El control y seguimiento tras 11 años, 8 años y 8meses es satisfactorio en los tres pacientes, los cuales se encuentran bien, sin problemas de deglución y con un aceptable y adecuado desarrollo pondoestatural. Creemos que este tipo de intervención y realización de un neoesófago es útil para tratar las AE de segmento largo en neonatos, al emplazar un tubo esofagogástrico ortotópicamente de calibre homogéneo en continuidad isoperistáltica en período neonatal y en un solo tiempo, prescindiendo de la gastrostomía realizada a las pocas horas de vida, consiguiendo una importante reducción de la morbilidad y estancia hospitalaria (AU)

When is impossible to restore the oesophageal continuity in oesophageal atresia (EA), the stomach elevation (whether tubulized or complete) and colon interposition are the most accomplished techniques, usually from the age of six month, in different steps and with the result of a high mortality, prolonged hospitalizations and high familial and economical cost. From a total of 34 EA diagnosed in an eleven years period, we had treated three children, tubulizing the gastric fundus with mechanical sutures in continuity with the distal oesophageal end in neonatal period. The procedure is done with preservation of the distal esophageal end in continuity with the tubuliced gastric fundus with mecanichal staplers. All the patients had needed pneumatic dilatations of the anastomosis After eleven years, eight years and six months follow-up respectively, the clinical behaviour of those patients is suitable, without swallowing problems and with weight and height development in predictable limits. We think that this kind of neoesophagus is useful to treat the long segment EA in newborns as it sets an esophago-gastric tube orthotopically, with homogeneous diameter in a isoperistaltic continuity, in neonatal period and in one step, putting aside the gastrostomy performed at the firsts hours of life and obtaining an important decreasing of mobility and hospitalisation stay When is impossible to restore the oesophageal continuity in oesophageal atresia (EA), the stomach elevation (whether tubulizedor complete) and colon interposition are the most accomplished techniques, usually from the age of six month, in different steps and with the result of a high mortality, prolonged hospitalizations and high familial and economical cost. From a total of 34 EA diagnosed in an eleven years period, we had treated three children, tubulizing the gastric fundus with mechanical sutures in continuity with the distal oesophageal end in neonatal period. The procedure is done with preservation of the distal esophageal end in continuity with the tubuliced gastric fundus with mecanichal staplers. All the patients had needed pneumatic dilatations of the anastomosis After eleven years, eight years and six months follow-up respectively, the clinical behaviour of those patients is suitable, without swallowing problems and with weight and height development in predictable limits. We think that this kind of neoesophagus is useful to treat the long segment EA in newborns as it sets an esophago-gastric tube orthotopically, with homogeneous diameter in a isoperistaltic continuity, in neonatal period and in one step, putting aside the gastrostomy performed at the firsts hours of life and obtaining an important decreasing of mobility and hospitalisation stay (AU)

[Vein of Galen arteriovenous malformations and neonatal convulsions]. / Malformacion arteriovenosa de la vena de Galeno y convulsiones neonatales.

INTRODUCTION: Vein of Galen arteriovenous malformation (VGAM) appears during the embryonic period and gives rise to a complex network of arterial and venous vessels that generates a blood shift, from the brain parenchyma towards the malformation, with haemodynamic repercussions. Heart failure is the most frequent presenting symptom during the neonatal period, yet, convulsions or other neurological signs have occasionally been reported in this stage of life. CASE REPORT: A term infant with symptoms of heart failure and convulsions that began during the first 12 hours of life. CAT and magnetic resonance angiography scans revealed a vascular malformation and areas of cerebral ischaemia. CONCLUSIONS: In the case of our patient, detecting areas of ischaemia in the cerebral hemispheres suggested that the damage could be caused by a "steal" syndrome leading the blood flow away from these areas towards the malformation. This situation can occur either before or after birth and the self-limiting nature of the seizures in cerebral infarcts could lead to them going noticed because they take place inside the uterus or when the patient is not being observed directly by his or her health care providers. We suspect that the convulsions in newborn infants with this malformation may well be more frequent than is currently believed.

Malformación arteriovenosa de la vena de Galeno y convulsiones neonatales / Vein of galen arteriovenous malformations and neonatal covulsions

Introduction. Vein of Galen arteriovenous malformation (VGAM) appears during the embryonic period and gives rise to a complex network of arterial and venous vessels that generates a blood shift, from the brain parenchyma towards the malformation, with haemodynamic repercussions. Heart failure is the most frequent presenting symptom during the neonatal period, yet, convulsions or other neurological signs have occasionally been reported in this stage of life. Case report. A term infant with symptoms of heart failure and convulsions that began during the first 12 hours of life. CAT and magnetic resonance angiography scans revealed a vascular malformation and areas of cerebral ischaemia. Conclusions. In the case of our patient, detecting areas of ischaemia in the cerebral hemispheres suggested that the damage could be caused by a ‘steal’ syndrome leading the blood flow away from these areas towards the malformation. This situation can occur either before or after birth and the self-limiting nature of the seizures in cerebral infarcts could lead to them going noticed because they take place inside the uterus or when the patient is not being observed directly by his or her health care providers. We suspect that the convulsions in newborn infants with this malformation may well be more frequent than is currently believed (AU)

Introducción. La malformación arteriovenosa de la vena de Galeno (MAVG) aparece durante el período embrionario y da lugar a una compleja red de vasos arteriales y venosos que generan una derivación de sangre desde el parénquima cerebral hacia la malformación, con repercusiones hemodinámicas. La insuficiencia cardíaca es la forma de presentación más frecuente durante el período neonatal; sin embargo, las convulsiones u otros signos neurológicos se han referido raramente en esta etapa de la vida. Caso clínico. Se trata de un recién nacido a término que comenzó en las primeras 12 horas de vida con un cuadro de insuficiencia cardíaca y convulsiones. La TAC y la angiorresonancia magnética evidenciaron la malformación vascular y zonas de isquemia cerebral. Conclusiones. En nuestro paciente, la detección de áreas de isquemia en los hemisferios cerebrales sugiere que el daño podría estar ocasionado por un fenómeno de ‘robo’ del flujo sanguíneo desde dichas áreas hacia la malformación. Esta situación puede acontecer antes o después del nacimiento, y el carácter autolimitado de las crisis en los infartos cerebrales podría hacer que éstas pasaran desapercibidas porque acontezcan intraútero o cuando el paciente no está siendo observado directamente por sus cuidadores. Nosotros sospechamos que las convulsiones en los neonatos con esta malformación podrían ser más frecuentes de lo que se considera en la actualidad (AU)

Torsion of vermiform appendix: value of ultrasonographic findings.

A case of torsion of the vermiform appendix is described in a five-year-old boy with a two-day history of right-sided abdominal pain. No associated abdominal tenderness was reported, no vomiting nor fever. The pain was localized in the same place for 24 hours and became more severe and constant. Blood film showed a normal white cell count. After two ultrasonographic examinations in the course of 24 hours, the sign of a distended intestinal loop became constant. With the diagnosis of mucous-producing appendicular lesions or appendicular torsion, a laparotomy was performed. The appendix was severely congested and gangrenous; there was a 360-degree anticlockwise twist in its base. The related literature is reviewed and the value of the ultrasound scanner images and the possible mechanism involved is discussed.

[Intrahepatic biloma. Conservative management with external drainage]. / Bilioma intrahepático. Tratamiento conservador mediante drenaje externo.

A seven year old boy, one week after surgical intervention for blunt liver trauma, presents an intrahepatic bilioma. Under ultrasonografic guidance, an external drainage is inserted. Contrast injection shows billiary fistula. Three weeks later, after a new contrast injection, billiary fistula resolution is proved, and dranaige tube is withdrawn. Ultrasonografic and CT Scan studies showed total resolution of intrahepatic collection. Intrahepatic billiary collections are a rare complication of the hepatic traumatism. Conservative management with external drainage, should be keept in mind like a first choice terapeutic option.