Management outcomes of mesenteric cysts in paediatric age group.

BACKGROUND: Mesenteric cysts are rare intra-abdominal masses and high index of suspicion is required to clinically suspect this pathology and make a definitive diagnosis. They are most commonly located in the ileal mesentery but can be located anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract mesentery and may extend into the retroperitoneum. The rarity of these anomalies and diversity of clinical picture pose challenges in the diagnosis and operative management. The objective of this study is to determine the demographic pattern, clinicopathological diagnosis and management outcome of mesenteric cysts in our hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted on children operated for mesenteric cysts from October 2013 to September 2020. Statistical analysis was performed using Open Epi Version 3.01. RESULTS: Out of 32 children with a diagnosis of mesenteric cyst, 78% were below 5 years of age. Small intestine was affected in 26 cases and large bowel mesentery was the site of origin in six cases. Complete excision of mesenteric cyst was possible in all cases. Bowel resection was required in ten cases (31%) to enable complete excision. Bowel resection was required more often in children operated on emergency than those with elective surgery, and is statistically significant (P = 0.04; confidence interval: 0.05-0.96, odds ratio: 0.23). An uncommon co-existence with ileal atresia and detection of rare chylolymphatic cyst in another infant were also remarkable findings. Histopathology proved the diagnosis in all cases. There was no mortality or recurrence during hospitalisation and follow-up, which ranged from 3 months to 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Mesenteric cysts present with diverse clinical features and children below 5 years of age are most commonly affected. Complete surgical excision is the optimal treatment and may require bowel resection in significant number of cases, especially those operated during emergency. Histopathology is the gold standard for diagnosis.

Immuno-inflammatory predictors of disease severity in COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Deregulated immune response and raised inflammation are the cardinal laboratory features in COVID-19 infection reflecting severity of condition. Detection of the markers will help in early diagnosis with timely therapeutic implementation and effective outcome. Observational studies have suggested alteration in these parameters with severity of the condition. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the relevance of the fact. Observational studies from databases were scrutinised and 3669 articles were identified. Further screening, based on the inclusion criteria a total of 19 articles with 3115 participants, were reviewed for meta-analysis using random effects model. Any data in median and interquartile range were converted to mean ± SD. There was a significant rise in total leukocyte count, C-reactive protein, ferritin, IL-6, IL-10, procalcitonin in severe cases but absolute lymphocyte count, CD4+ and CD8+ registered a fall in severe cases in comparison to non-severe group. Immune and inflammatory markers are significantly altered and related to severity of manifestation in COVID-19 infection.

Congenital pouch colon: A comparative study between two modalities of management.

BACKGROUND: Congenital pouch colon (CPC) is an unusual anomaly with an unique geographical distribution. The aim of this study was to find out the incidence of CPC among anorectal malformation (ARM) cases in our institute and to compare the outcome between conventional three-staged surgery versus two-staged management approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in the department of pediatric surgery over a period of 7 years from 1st April 2013 to 31st March 2020. RESULTS: Out of 754 cases of ARMs, 43 cases of CPC were detected. The incidence of pouch colon among patients with high ARMs was found to be 7.6% with a male predominance (M:F = 4.4:1). The anomaly was diagnosed in 72% of our patients preoperatively and Type IV variety was the most common intra-operative finding. The survival after initial hospitalisation was 82% and 88% in three-stage and two-stage surgical procedures, respectively. However, the final clinical outcome after the completion of all stages of surgery and follow-up was better in two-staged approach (54% vs. 47%). CONCLUSION: Although, CPC is a rare anomaly, the incidence in our institute is 7.6% among high ARM cases. As compared to conventional three-staged surgery, the two-staged management approach has the advantage of better survival and decreased morbidity.

Congenital absence of jejunum and ileum: A case report and literature review.

We report an extremely rare finding 'congenital absence of jejunum and ileum' during explorative laparotomy of a 16-day-old female neonate. The dilated duodenum was terminating blindly, and the next segment of intestine was a peanut-sized cecum followed by microcolon. On an extensive survey of literature this type of intestinal atresia is not reported in living babies.

Apple-Peel Intestinal Atresia Along with Isolated Jejunal Duplication Cyst in a Newborn - An Extremely Rare Case Report and Brief Review.

Apple-peel type of intestinal atresia and non-communicating jejunal duplication cyst are rare congenital malformations. The coexistence is not reported in English literature. A five-day-old female neonate having intestinal obstruction and was found to have both the anomalies during laparotomy and was successfully managed. Being an extremely uncommon association between two congenital anomalies of gastrointestinal tract and surgical emergencies, it is reported with review of relevant literature.

Pheochromocytoma in a Child without Hypertension: A Contribution to the "Rule of 10s".

Pheochromocytoma (PCC) is a neuroendocrine tumor originating from chromaffin tissue in adrenal medulla. Its diagnosis and treatment are well defined in adults, but experience in children is limited. Children constitute only 10% of reported cases, the average age at presentation being 11 years. The most common presentation is sustained hypertension, which is absent in only 10% of children. We managed a 14-month-old female child with PCC, but she was not hypertensive. We report two unusual features, in this case, an extremely young age at presentation and a childhood case of nonhypertensive PCC contributing for "rule of 10s."

Colocolic Intussusception in a Child with Pathologic Lead Point Along with Intestinal Malrotation-A Rare Case Report and Brief Review.

Intestinal obstruction in children is frequently caused by intussusception and intestinal malrotation and when these two conditions co-exist, it is called Waugh's syndrome. Intussusception cases in children are mostly ileocolic, whereas, the colocolic variety is a rare entity and very few cases have been reported in literature. In all the reported cases of Waugh's syndrome, the intussusceptions were ileocolic type except one case, where colocolic type was mentioned with lymphangoima as Pathological Lead Point (PLP). We report a seven-year-old child of colocolic intussusception with juvenile polyp being the PLP along with intestional malrotation. It is an extremely rare association which has not been reported previously.