Online Exclusives
Apple peel deformity of the small bowel without atresia in a congenital mesenteric defect
Congenital mesenteric defects are rare causes of bowel obstruction. Even rarer are mesenteric defects with an apple peel type of deformity, probably described definitively only once previously. We present a case of a 3 year old boy who presented with a septic-like picture of severe metabolic acidosis and lethargy from a bowel obstruction with bowel ischemia. At laparotomy he was found to have bowel infarction due to herniation through a congenital mesenteric defect with an apple peel type of deformity of the bowel without bowel atresia.Infant botulism mimicking Hirschprung's disease
We report a case of infant botulism presenting as primary colonic ileus—mimicking Hirschprung's megacolon. Infant botulism should be considered in any infant with constipation and neurologic abnormalities.Nodular fasciitis: a sarcomatous impersonator
Reports of nodular fasciitis among adults are common; however, this condition is relatively rare in the pediatric population. Its clinical and histologic characteristics are similar to malignancies such as sarcoma; thus, it is prudent for the clinician caring for children and adolescents to be aware of the possibility of its occurrence. Nodular fasciitis is a benign mesenchymal tumor. Often presenting as a rapidly enlarging soft tissue mass, clinically, it can easily be mistaken as a sarcoma or other malignancy during clinical evaluation.Small bowel perforation from unit rod posterior spinal fusion
An unusual complication of bowel perforation after unit rod posterior spinal fusion and anterior spine release via a retroperitoneal approach is described. This complication has not been previously described. The pediatric surgical specialist should be aware of this consideration in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain after unit rod posterior spinal fusion.
