Laparoscopic approach for removing a coin trapped in Meckel's diverticulum.

Foreign body ingestion is a common problem in children. Most of these foreign bodies spontaneously pass through the gastrointestinal tract. When there is a persistent foreign body in the abdomen, it is impossible to make a diagnosis without exploration. We herein present the case of a child who was admitted to our hospital with a coin trapped in Meckel's diverticulum and our laparoscopic approach in this case. The diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum should be considered when there is a prolonged lodgment of a foreign body in the right lower quadrant, and the laparoscopic approach is the preferred choice in these cases.

Somatosensory evoked potentials as a screening tool for diagnosis of spinal pathologies in children with treatment refractory overactive bladder.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of somatosensory evoked potential as a screening tool for spinal pathologies in patients with treatment refractory overactive bladder. METHODS: This prospective study was performed between January 2011 and January 2014. Children >5 years old with treatment refractory overactive bladder were enrolled after exclusion of anatomical and neurological causes of incontinence. All patients underwent urodynamic studies, spinal MRI, and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were calculated for SEP. RESULTS: Thirty-one children (average age 8.3 ± 2.9 years) were included in the study. SEP was abnormal in 13 (41.9%), and MRI was abnormal in 8 (25.8%) patients. SEP was found to have a sensitivity of 87.5%, a specificity of 73.9%, positive predictive value of 53.85%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 94.4%. CONCLUSION: In patients with treatment refractory OAB, SEP is an important tool for the screening of tethered cord/spinal pathologies. Our results suggest that a child with a normal SEP study in this group of patients may not require further investigation with MRI.

Comparison of uroflow parameters in children with pure constipation versus constipation plus lower urinary tract symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare uroflow parameters of patients with pure constipation against those with constipation plus lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and a control group (no constipation). MATERIALS AND METHODS: During August 2012 to March 2014 three groups of patients were enrolled into the study: group C (constipation only), group CL (LUTS plus constipation) and group N (control: no constipation or LUTS). Dysfunctional elimination syndrome (DES) scores, uroflowmetry/electromyography (uroflow-EMG) findings, postvoiding residual urine (PVR) and rectal diameter were measured and compared between groups. RESULTS: Groups C, CL and N comprised 80, 100 and 30 patients, respectively. Average DES scores were 12.6, 18.7 and 4.9, respectively. Voided volume (as a percentage of expected bladder capacity) was 104%, 89% and 101%; and average maximum flow rate was 21.1 ml/s, 36.4 ml/s and 28.1 ml/s, respectively. Pelvic floor muscle activity during voiding was seen in 40.0%, 42.0% and 6.7% of patients in groups C, CL and N, respectively; and pathological PVR was seen in 26.3%, 55.0% and 3.3% of patients in the respective groups. Average rectal diameter was measured as 38.6 mm, 36.4 mm and 28.1 mm in groups C, CL and N, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study found that abnormal voiding parameters are present in patients with constipation even if LUTS are not present. Therefore, it is important that all patients presenting with constipation have their voiding function evaluated.

Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas: a rare entity.

Solid pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) of the pancreas is a rare neoplasm in children that mainly occurs in young females. We herein report a rare case of SPT arising from the tail of the pancreas. A 13-year-old girl was admitted to our clinic with abdominal pain and anorexia. A mass was palpated on the physical examination. A 90x72 mm, encapsulated, heterogeneous mass with solid and cystic components was defined on computerized tomography (CT). Distal pancreatectomy was performed during the operation. Histopathological examination revealed that the tumor was a SPT with negative surgical margins. A six-month follow-up after surgical resection showed no evidence of recurrent disease. SPT should always be considered in the differential diagnosis in a young female with a palpable mass.