Dog Bite Causing Intestinal Perforation in a Child: A Case Report with Review of Literature.

Dog bite injuries are common in children. They are a major cause of morbidity and mortality involving commonly the extremities, head, and neck. Injuries to the torso represent only 10% of injuries. Visceral injury by a dog bite in children is a rare clinical scenario with very few cases reported. We present a 2-year-old female child who suffered a severe dog bite injury causing colonic perforation.

Delayed Presentation of Malrotation: Case Series and Literature Review.

Background: Intestinal malrotation is a congenital anomaly resulting from abnormal or incomplete rotation and fixation of the midgut during embryogenesis. It commonly presents in the neonatal period (75%) with sudden onset bilious vomiting and rarely beyond infancy (<10%). Aim: The aim of the study was to highlight the clinical features, radiological findings, and treatment outcomes of patients with malrotation presenting beyond infancy. Materials and Methods: Eleven consecutive cases of delayed presentation of malrotation presented over a period of 5 years (2017-2021). Data were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Out of the 11 patients, four were female and seven were male. The age of patients ranged from 14 months to 18 years. Patients beyond infancy present usually with diffuse pain abdomen compared to neonates which present with sudden onset bilious vomiting and therefore difficult to diagnose. Five patients had associated abnormalities such as intussusception or nutcracker syndrome or mesenteric cyst or jejunal stricture or mesenteric lymphadenopathy along with malrotation. Patients underwent ultrasonography, upper gastrointestinal contrast study, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography abdomen to confirm the diagnosis. All patients underwent the Ladd procedure with four requiring resection anastomosis and one requiring excision of the mesenteric cyst. Eight out of eleven patients had favorable outcomes, two develop adhesive intestinal obstruction and required re-exploration, and one had persistent complaints of hematochezia. Conclusion: Malrotation beyond infancy is a rare diagnosis. Malrotation in older children is usually not suspected because of the wide range of symptoms. A high index of suspicion on ultrasound or computed tomography is required to demonstrate the reversal of superior mesenteric artery and superior mesenteric vein position and related conditions. Early intervention and treatment can prevent catastrophic events such as intestinal volvulus and intestinal ischemia in these patients.

A Rare Case of Premenarchal Ovarian Abscess Presenting as an Acute Abdomen.

Ovarian abscesses are usually seen in females of reproductive age group. They may occur secondary to urinary tract infections, pelvic inflammatory diseases, or gastrointestinal infections. They are uncommon in premenarchal females. They can be either managed conservatively with antibiotics and analgesics or may require surgery. In this case report, we present the case of a 6-year-old female who presented to us with an acute abdomen, which was diagnosed as a case of ovarian abscess and improved on exploration and drainage.

Outcome Analysis of Reduction and Nonreduction Dismembered Pyeloplasty in Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction: A Randomized, Prospective, Comparative Study.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to compare the changes in renal function and drainage following open dismembered pyeloplasty with and without renal pelvis reduction. Materials and Methods: Randomized prospective study of children with ureteropelvic junction obstruction undergoing pyeloplasty with (Group 1) and without (Group 2) pelvis reduction over an 18-month period. Postoperative function and drainage were assessed by ethylene dicysteine (EC) scan and intravenous urography (IVU) and renal pelvis size by ultrasonography. Results: Forty-two patients (2 months-11 years) participated. The mean preoperative EC scan function was Group 1: 45.88% ± 14.42% (5%-80%) and Group 2: 39.22% ± 9.75% (21%-53%). (P = 0.117). The mean postoperative EC scan function of Group 1 was 42.64% ± 9.62% (17%-54%) and 43.75% ± 9.88% (17%-58%) and of Group 2 was 44.77% ± 12.82% (20%-68%) and 42.25% ± 8.56% (23%-58%) at 3 months (P = 0.584) and ≥ 1year (P = 0.385), respectively, with no significant difference. None required re-do pyeloplasty. The number of patients with slow drainage, especially at 3 months and also at ≥1-year postoperative period on EC scan was slightly higher in Group 2 compared to Group 1 but did not attain statistical significance. There was postoperative improvement in function and drainage on IVU with no significant difference between the two groups, (P = 0.214; P = 0.99, respectively). At a mean follow-up of 45.5 months, Group 2 also showed significant reduction in pelvis size on ultrasound (P = 0.011). Conclusion: Postoperative function remained stable in both groups. More number of patients achieved unobstructed drainage by 3 mo postoperative after reduction pyeloplasty but drainage patterns were mostly similar between reduction and nonreduction of pelvis group in late follow-up.

Surgical Occlusion of Leaking Bronchus by a Serratus Anterior Flap in a Child with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is an uncommon disease of childhood. Intrathoracic transposition flaps have been described for a management of number of conditions. We discuss our experience of the use of serratus anterior flap for the obliteration of a pulmonary bulla with a communicating airway, in a 1½-year-old pediatric patient with multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis who presented with recurrent pneumothorax with empyema due to rupture of bullae.

Hepatoblastoma with Precocious Puberty.

Hepatoblastoma (HB), a primary liver tumor of childhood, is often accompanied by raised levels of alpha-fetoprotein (α-FP). Rarely, the beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) levels may also be elevated, which can cause peripheral precocious puberty (PPP). We report a case of HB with precocious puberty wherein hormonal assays showed an increase in α-FP, ß-hCG, and testosterone levels, and suppression of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone levels. After chemotherapy and surgery, α-FP, ß-hCG, and testosterone levels normalized, and the signs of virilization did not progress further. New therapeutic approaches have made a previously reported grim prognosis of virilizing HB, more favorable now. In the assessment of PPP, the possibility of a tumoral source for the hormones should also be considered.

Choroid plexus cysts-antenatal course and postnatal outcome in a tertiary hospital in North India.

PURPOSE: To assess the gestational course and postnatal outcome of antenatally diagnosed choroid plexus cysts. METHODS: From January 2015 to October 2017, mothers carrying foetuses with choroid plexus cysts (CPCs) were followed up prospectively till delivery, and subsequent postnatal assessment of all the babies was done. Progress of the lesions was monitored during pregnancy with ultrasound (USG) scans and postnatally analysed with clinical assessment and USG examination of the cranium. RESULTS: A total of 67 mothers of antenatally diagnosed CPCs were referred to the Paediatric Surgery Unit for opinion. Mean gestational age at the time of diagnosis was 19 ± 2.1 weeks (17-28 weeks) while mean age of the mothers at the time of referral was 26 ± 3.3 years (19-35 years). Sixty four mothers have undergone repeat antenatal scans after the diagnosis, and the CPCs disappeared completely in 60 (93.8%) of them. The CPCs persisted but reduced in size in 2 (4.1%), and the other 2 have been lost to follow-up. Thirty eight patients (56.7%) have unilateral CPCs. Mean size of cysts is 6.08 ± 3.0 mm (2.4­14.8 mm). One foetus, in which the CPC disappeared antenatally, developed it again on the postnatal scans, but is doing well on follow-up. Thirteen babies (19.4%) have other associated congenital malformations as well. CONCLUSIONS: CPCs may involve one or both ventricles and disappear in approximately 95% of the cases, mostly within 2 months from the diagnosis. The size of the cyst has no relation to its rate of disappearance. Postnatal persistence of CPCs is uncommon and the neurological sequel is unlikely; hence, prospective parents should be reassured accordingly.

Clinico-Microbiological Profile and Clinical Predictor of Urinary Tract Infection in Children: A Single-Center Study From Himalayan Foothills.

BACKGROUND:  Urinary tract infection (UTI) in children is one of the commonest bacterial infections seen in the pediatric population. Clinical presentation ranges from fever with or without focus and isolation of microbiological agents streamline the treatment. Moreover, local/regional microbial profiles are helpful in antibiotic selection, we conducted a study to assess the prevalence of urine culture positivity in a suspected case of UTI. In addition, antibiotic susceptibility patterns and ultrasonography (USG) finding in culture-positive patients were also studied. METHODS AND MATERIALS: It is a prospective observational study comprising symptomatic children aged one month to 18 years presenting to the outpatient department (OPD), inpatient department (IPD), and the emergency department of Pediatrics with UTI during the period of September 2019 to September 2020. The recorded variables were demographic, clinical presentation, anthropometry, physical examination, blood biochemistry, and outcome. Urine samples were collected and processed as per standard protocols. USG was done for all culture-positive children. Data were presented as frequency, mean (SD) and parametric and non-parametric data were analyzed by Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U Test, Chi-Squared Test, or Fisher's Exact Test.  Results: Of the total 354 children, 202 (57.1%) were male and the prevalence of UTI was 64 (18.1%). E. coli (70.3%) was the commonest isolated organism followed by Klebsiella spp (15.6%) and Pseudomonas spp (7%) respectively. The mean (SD) age (months) of presentation of symptoms was significantly lower in culture-positive children as compared to [ 83.49 (58.96) vs 110.10 (58.60); p=0.001] culture-negative children. Fever (96.6%) followed by dysuria (20.1%) were the most common symptoms presented for UTI however dysuria (p=0.003), pus cells (p<0.0001), and RBCs (p=0.002) were significantly present in culture positive children. This study shows increased resistance to third generation of cephalosporins. This study revealed significant differences among various groups (organism growth in positive culture) and the Antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) with a p-value of <0.001.  Conclusion: The prevalence of culture-positive UTI was similar to the reported literature and the presence of fever, dysuria, pus cells, and RBC in urine were commonly observed in the lower age group. Amikacin can be used in suspected UTIs with cephalosporin as empirical antibiotics in the Himalayan Foothills region.

Anatomical study of hypospadias penis using magnetic resonance imaging in children.

INTRODUCTION: To assess the various anatomical patterns of the hypospadias penis, anatomical and histological study of the penile tissues, planes, and vascular patterns, and imagings such as ultrasound of penis, elastography, and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of penis have been described in the literature. All these have been done to attempt the identification of anatomical variations that may influence surgical outcomes. There are very limited MRI studies of hypospadias penis to look for the pristine anatomy. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to identify anatomical variations in hypospadias penis such as the penile tissues and planes and the vascularity using MRI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The total number of patients enrolled was 24 from January 2019 to July 2020. This included all the cases of hypospadias at any location aged ≥5 years. MRI penis was done using 3T (3 Tesla) MRI scanner (GE Healthcare signa 3T Scanner machine) with 3 mm body coil slice thickness and the surface coil of 3 inches. Non-contrast images were taken using fast spin-echo sequences in sagittal, coronal, and transverse planes. The findings analyzed were: presence and distribution of penile tissue and fascial structures, urethral plate thickness, and penile vasculature. RESULTS: The mean age was 7.62 ± 2.14 years. The types of hypospadias included were Coronal 1/24 (4.2%), Subcoronal 14/24 (58.3%), Distal penile 3/24 (12.5%), Midpenile 5/24 (20.8%) and Penoscrotal 1/24 (4.2%) (Summary Table 1). The mean urethral plate thickness was 1.33 ± 0.38 mm. The penile soft tissues were well visualized along with their fascial planes. The majority of patients (91.7%, 22/24) had Superficial Dartos vessels with both branches. Bulbourethral vessel was present in 18 (75.0%) cases but could not be visualized in the rest. Ventral and Lateral Dartos vessels were seen in 20 (83.3%) cases. Perforators distal to meatus were visualized in 21 (87.5%) cases and not visualized in 3 (1 each in Penoscrotal, Midpenile, and Coronal hypospadias). Collaterals at corona sulcus were visualized in 23 (95.8%) cases, at paraurethral spongiosum in 15 (62.5%) cases, and at dorsum in 22 (91.7%) cases. CONCLUSION: 3T MRI gives precise images in hypospadias with relation to the tissue and fascial planes of the penis. The vascular pattern visualization in these patients may be confirmed by the availability of a dedicated penile coil which will help to improve the resolution of the penile structures. Analyzing the penile vascular pattern and correlating it with surgical outcomes may aid the surgeon's knowledge of hypospadias, develop new surgical techniques and hence reduce complications.

Congenital lateral facial teratoma: A case report and review of literature.

Facial teratomas are uncommon tumours in children that distort the face and may be associated with functional problems. They are less common than cervical teratomas though they are often grouped together and considered an emergency due to their tendency to cause respiratory compromise. They tend to be large and cause cosmetic issues; hence usually noticed early and medical help sought promptly by parents. The close proximity of facial teratomas to structures like eyes, parotid gland, facial nerve, vessels and brain makes them challenging and requires a patient and meticulous exploration during surgery. We present a case of an 11 month old girl with left sided temporal teratoma. Well planning of the incision and complete excision of the tumour with careful sparing of the facial nerves and parotid gland yielded good result.

A novel technique of abdominoplasty for prune belly syndrome.

Prune belly syndrome is an extremely rare congenital condition occurring predominantly in males. This triad syndrome comprises of partial or complete deficient abdominal wall muscles, undescended testes and dilated urinary collecting system. We present the case of a 2-year-old male patient, who presented with classic prune belly syndrome, operated with modification in classical Monfort technique of abdominoplasty. The basis of this approach was to save and use the supraumbilical abdominal wall which has better tensile strength. The infraumbilical skin was mostly discarded. The outcome was better in terms of cosmetic appearance as the scar was limited to the lower abdomen and better anterior abdominal wall strength.

Large falciform ligament cyst in a child: A rare entity of peritoneal cysts and review of the literature.

Peritoneal cysts are not uncommon in children - mesenteric/omental cysts being the commoner entity. Peritoneal cysts in the falciform ligament are a very rare entity reported in the literature. We present a 5-year-old boy who presented with pain upper central abdomen and few episodes of non-bilious vomiting for 1 year. He was stable on examination, with abdominal examination revealing the fullness of the abdomen with palpable generalised cystic mass which was mobile transversely. Ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen revealed intra-peritoneal cystic lesion measuring 13 cm × 11.5 cm × 9 cm with septations seen in the abdominal cavity from the epigastric region to the infraumbilical region (D11-L5 level). Laparoscopy showed a large cyst of the abdomen arising from the anterior abdominal wall, along the falciform ligament. The dark yellow fluid was aspirated and the cyst was excised leaving a part which was adherent to the anterior wall. Histopathology revealed cuboidal epithelium lined by the fibrous wall. The patient is doing well at 6 months follow-up. Falciform ligament cysts are very rare and laparoscopy can confirm the diagnosis as well as help in excision of the cyst with good results.

Retained wooden foreign body in groin in a child: A case report and review of literature.

Wooden foreign body (WFB) injuries in children are common. They may report with acute presentation or be delayed as retained foreign body giving rise to complications. Cases with superficial skin penetration by these foreign bodies and acute presentation may be convenient to diagnose and remove. However, localising deeply impacted and chronically retained WFB is challenging, as they are usually not radiopaque and have a tendency to move deeper into the surrounding soft tissues with time. Foreign body retained for prolonged duration may present with either cellulitis, deep tissue infections, sinus, restriction of joint movements, necrotising fasciitis, osteomyelitis or tumour-like mass. We present an 8-year-old boy with discharging sinuses in the right iliac fossa and medial aspect of the right upper thigh, due to an impacted WFB for 3 months. Prompt radiological imaging and surgical removal helped him recover completely.