[Primary obstructive megaureters: long-term follow-up]. / Méga-uretères primitifs : étude rétrospective sur dix ans.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of primary megaureters and to evaluate predictive factor for surgery need based on ultrasound values. METHODS: A total of 43 primary obstructive megaureters detected in 41 patients have been evaluated between January 2000 and may 2010. RESULTS: Mostly boys (73%) were concerned by megaureters, mainly on the left side (66%). Twenty patients were prenatally diagnosed. Surgical indications were: pyonephrosis (3), recurrent pyelonephritis (14), scintigraphic damage (3), ureteric diameter aggravation (7), disease occurring on unique kidney (2). Regarding the 30 patients who benefit surgery, the retrovesical ureter measured, before surgery 19.15 mm (± 7.17) on average and 3.18 mm, 44 months later. Over the 10 patients treated medically, the initial diameter was 9.91 mm and at the end of the study, five patients had megaureter completely regressed, three patients had a diameter greater than 10mm at the end of the study and two faced a worsening evolution with sudden and complete renal damage on scintigraphic nephrogram, after recurrent pyelonephritis despite antibioprophylaxis. CONCLUSION: We recommend a careful watch-fulling of primary megaureters; mainly for those with recurrent infections and whenever the retrovesical ureter diameter exceeds 14 mm at first ultrasound.

[Clear-cell sarcoma of the kidney: about a paediatric case]. / Sarcome à cellules claires du rein : à propos d'un cas pédiatrique.

Clear-cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) is a rare malignant tumor of childhood, known for its aggressiveness, its tendency to recurrence and to metastasis to bone. We report an observation of a child of 48 months carrying a large abdominal mass. The diagnosis of the SCCR was made on biopsy, since imaging remained uncertain as to the renal origin of the mass. Indeed, our observation underlines the difficulty of its diagnosis. Excepting the morphological aspect, there is no criterion for its recognition. Its prognosis has been improved by the new treatments.

[Testicular torsion in children: Factors influencing delayed treatment and orchiectomy rate]. / Torsion du cordon spermatique chez l'enfant : impact du mode de consultation sur le délai de prise en charge et le taux d'orchidectomie.

INTRODUCTION: Acute scrotal pain is a true surgical emergency as patients presenting with acute scrotal pain may suffer from spermatic cord torsion and gonadal loss. We assessed whether the type of consultation (first consultation in our center or secondary transfer from a peripheral hospital or primary care practice), distance from home to hospital, and duration of pain had an impact on the orchiectomy rate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients under 15years of age suffering from acute scrotal pain who had surgical exploration between January 2007 and January 2010 in our center. Patient demographics, transfer status, time to consultation in our center, time to surgery, operative findings and clinical outcome were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 76 patients with acute scrotal pain in whom surgical exploration was performed, 59 had acute spermatic cord torsion, 16 had torsion of the testicular appendage, and 1 had orchitis. In patients with acute spermatic cord torsion, the median age was 13 years (range: 0.18-14.97). In patients with acute spermatic cord torsion, 32 came straight to our center (direct admission group, 54.2%), and 27 (45.8%) came after a prior consultation out of side the center (transfer group). The median journey was 19km (range: 2.5-113) in the direct admission group and 44km (range: 2.5-393) in the transfer group (P=0.0072). The median time between pain onset and consultation at our center was 4.3h (range: 0.5-48) in the direct admission group, and 11h (range: 2-48) in the transfer group (P=0.6139). The median time between admission at our center and surgery was 2.5h, with no difference between the 2 groups (P=0.8789). The orchiectomy rate was 25% in the direct admission group and 14.8% in the transfer group (P=0.5177). In children who underwent orchiectomy, the duration of pain was consistently over 6h. The duration of pain was greater in patients with orchiectomy (12h [range: 1-72]) than in patients without orchiectomy (12h [range: 6-48]; P=0.0001). CONCLUSION: In this study, the orchiectomy rate depended on the duration of pain but not on transfer status. Acute scrotal pain must lead to surgical exploration as soon as possible, requiring close collaboration between peripheral hospitals, primary care physicians, and referral centers.

Ovarian cysts in prepubertal girls.

Visualization of follicles is perfectly physiological during childhood, their diameter generally does not exceed 10 mm. Ovarian cyst in childhood is well defined for a fluid image >20 mm. Generally mild and asymptomatic, ovarian cysts are fluid formations usually discovered incidentally by ultrasound. Some are hormonally active and cause the development of sexual characteristics. The natural history of functional cysts is eventual regression, and persistence is suggestive of organic tumor. The onset of pain is a sign of complication, and an abrupt sharp pain with vomiting is suggestive of ovarian torsion, in which case surgical intervention is urgent. In all cases, the diagnosis is based on pelvic ultrasound. MRI and tumor marker assays are required to determine the nature of an organic cyst before proceeding to surgery. These cysts may appear functional from the fetal period onward and will require management from the first days of life. Certain endocrine disorders such as precocious puberty, hypothyroidism, and aromatase deficiency cause functional cysts in girls. Recurrent bleeding is due to hormonally active cysts and suggests McCune-Albright syndrome. Although the persistence of a cyst suggests a neoplasm, a fluid character indicates benignity. Imagery is a useful aid in the diagnosis of epithelial tumors (cystadenomas) or teratoma (dermoid cyst).

Ovarian masses in adolescent girls.

Ovarian masses are the most frequent gynecological pathology seen in adolescent girls. Functional or organic tumors of the ovary are usually benign and the incidence rises with age. Most cysts are functional and adnexal torsion is the main complication, but a malignant etiology must nevertheless always be eliminated. The clinical presentation is quite variable. Ultrasonography is the investigation of choice: the sonogram will reveal a strictly fluid, benign functional cyst, suggest an adnexal torsion, and provide evidence of a heterogeneous mass. Emergency surgery is indicated only in the case of suspected ovarian torsion, in order to perform detorsion. In all other cases, serum tumor marker measurements will orient the diagnosis and MRI is an essential complement to imaging of tumors with heterogeneous solid components. Surgery and histopathological examination then determine the stage and the benign or malignant nature of the mass. Ovarian tumors are classified by the World Health Organization based on the cell of origin into epithelial tumors, germ cell tumors and sex cord-stromal tumors. Surgery should always follow oncological standards and be as conservative as possible to preserve future fertility.

[Morgagni hernia causing cardiac tamponade]. / Tamponnade néonatale par hernie de Morgagni.

Morgagni hernia is a rare malformation (3% of diaphragmatic hernias). This hernia is usually asymptomatic in children. We report on a case revealed by an unusual complication. Severe cyanosis was due to right-to-left atrial shunt through the foramen ovale assessed by 2D echocardiography. Diagnosis of the Morgagni hernia was made with CT scan. The intrathoracic liver compressed the right chambers of the heart causing tamponade. Cardiac compression was reversed after surgery and replacement of the liver in the abdomen. Six months after the surgery, the infant was symptom-free with normal size right chambers of the heart.

A rare case of ectopic intrathoracic kidney in a 1-year-old child.

Congenital thoracic ectopic kidney is a rare developmental anomaly, with the thorax being the rarest and higher location of ectopic kidneys. This anomaly is usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on routine chest radiography. At least 200 cases of thoracic kidney have been described, with the vast majority of cases documented in adults. To our knowledge, this is only the sixth case of congenital ectopic thoracic kidney described in a child. Herein, we report a rare case of a 1-year-old child exhibiting ectopic intrathoracic kidney. We further discuss the embryonic background and the current management of this pathology.