Online Exclusives
Video-assisted surgery in the management of hydatid renal cyst in children
Renal hydatid disease is rare in children. Open surgery is the traditional method of treatment, but minimally invasive techniques are being increasingly used. Herein, we report our experience with laparoscopic management of renal hydatid cyst in four children via a transperitoneal approach in three cases and a retroperitoneoscopy in one. We conclude that transperitoneal laparoscopy can be offered for the management of hydatid renal cyst associated with other intraperitoneal localizations, whereas the retroperitoneoscopy is limited for the treatment of isolated hydatid renal cysts.Splenic hemangiopericytoma in a one-month-old infant
Hemangiopericytoma is an uncommon tumor that occurs mostly in middle-aged adults. There have been only sporadic case reports of splenic involvement, and in all but one the treatment has been total splenectomy. We present a one-month-old boy with splenic hemangiopericytoma treated with partial splenectomy. This is the youngest case in the literature, and there has been no recurrence noted after two years of follow up.A case of frozen pelvis: Primary actinomycosis of urinary bladder in a young boy
We report a case of urinary bladder actinomycosis in childhood. In children abdominal actinomycosis is rare and unlikely involves the urinary tract, so it is often misdiagnosed. An 7-year-old boy was referred to a secondary level hospital because of abdominal pain and dysuria. Physical examination revealed a left hypochondrial mass. Hypothesizing a pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma, a biopsy with mini-laparotomy access was performed. The first histopathological analysis did not show any malignant cells, and a 14-day antibiotic course was ineffective.A rare cause of acute abdominal pain in adolescence: Hydrosalpinx leading to isolated torsion of fallopian tube
Torsion of the fallopian tube accompanying hydrosalpinx is a rare occurrence in the pediatric population. This report describes a 13 year old sexually inactive girl with isolated tubal torsion due to hydrosalpinx. The girl had lower left abdominal pain for two days. The physical examination revealed left lower quadrant tenderness with a firm round anterior mass on rectal examination. Abdominal ultrasound showed left tubal enlargement with free pelvic peritoneal fluid. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed engorgement and dilatation of the left fallopian tube without contrast enhancement suspicious of tubal torsion.Lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas in female children—report of two cases
Lymphoepithelial cyst (LEC) of the pancreas is almost always reported as a case report or in small series mostly in male adult patients with vague clinical manifestations and difficult pre-operative diagnosis. Between the years 2007 and 2012, two female children with LEC of the pancreas were operated on at the Children's Surgical Unit of Murtala Mohammad Specialist Hospital, Kano in northern Nigeria. Satisfactory outcomes were achieved after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy in one and a Whipple procedure in the other.Stump appendicitis after childhood incidental appendectomy
Stump appendicitis is a rare late complication of appendectomy. Most cases present months to years following surgery for acute appendicitis. Cases of stump appendicitis after incidental appendectomy are very rare. We present a case of stump appendicitis after incidental appendectomy during a procedure for duodenal obstruction as an infant.Pancreatic hydatid cyst masquerading as a choledochal cyst
A 6-year-old boy presented with repeated attacks of fever, abdominal pain, and obstructive jaundice. Clinical examination and preoperative imaging suggested the diagnosis of a type I choledochal cyst. During surgery, a hydatid cyst was found occupying the head of pancreas, causing obstruction of the common bile duct. The authors emphasize that in endemic areas, hydatid cyst should be included in the list of conditions in the differential diagnoses of obstructive jaundice and cystic lesions located around the bilio-pancreatic junction in children.Angiodysplasia (vascular malformations) of the colon presenting as an acute abdomen
Angiodysplasia (vascular malformations) of the colon is extremely rare in children, and, as in adults, present with lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Here we report an unusual pediatric case of angiodysplasia of the terminal ileum and cecum presenting as an acute abdomen with radiological features suggestive of lymphoma.Extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma of the mesocolon in a child
Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a malignant neoplasm usually affecting the skeletal system. Extraskeletal ES is a rare tumor. To date, only 1 case of primary mesocolon ES has been previously reported in an adult. Herein, we present the first case of ES in the mesocolon in a child.Treatment of chest wall osteosarcoma presenting as second primary after treatment of neuroblastoma
Only 2 cases of osteosarcoma as a second primary malignancy after neuroblastoma have been reported in the literature. We present a case of chest wall osteosarcoma that developed in a 14-year-old boy 7 years after completion of chemotherapy, autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, radiation, and resection for stage 3, high-risk neuroblastoma. A biopsy of a painful chest wall mass arising from the right third rib diagnosed osteosarcoma. He went on to have preoperative chemotherapy followed by wide local excision and chest wall reconstruction.Successful laparoscopic removal of mesenteric and omental cysts in toddlers: 3 cases with a literature review
Mesenteric and omental cysts are rare benign intraabdominal anomalies with uncertain etiologies. Surgical removal is the preferred treatment owing to complications related to cyst enlargement. A 1-year-old boy with an intrauterine diagnosis of a cystic mass adjacent to his stomach and liver, a 3-year-old girl, and a 3-year-old boy with an incidental diagnosis of intraabdominal cysts were scheduled for laparoscopic surgery. The mass of the 1-year-old boy was a multiloculated cyst originating from the lesser omentum, the incidental mass in the girl was a multiseptated cyst located in the jejunoileal mesentery, and the incidental mass of the 3-year-old boy was a uniloculated cyst originating from the ileal mesentery.Perinatally discovered complete tubular colonic duplication associated with anal atresia
Complete tubular colonic duplication (CTCD) is exceedingly rare. The association of CTCD with an anorectal malformation is unusual. This malformation may be found unexpectedly at laparotomy. We present 3 cases of surgically proven neonate CTCD discovered at laparotomy for anal atresia. We reviewed the mode of clinical presentation, the imaging, and laparotomy findings. Our series illustrates that this rare disease presents perinatally in association with anal atresia, with or without other associated anomalies.Laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy in children with a duplex collecting system plus obstructed ureteral ectopia
One of the complex upper urinary tract anomalies is a duplicated collecting system. In cases with a functioning upper moiety, ureteroureterostomy (UU) is the preferred operation to redirect the urine to the normal collecting system. Although open UU is a well-described operation, experience with laparoscopic repair pediatric patients is scarce. We describe the successful application of laparoscopic UU in 2 children and suggest that laparoscopic UU for the duplicated collecting system is a promising minimally invasive procedure.Successful management of congenital bronchial stenosis using an expandable stent
Congenital bronchial stenosis is a very rare cause of neonatal dyspnea. Surgical management remains challenging in small children. We report successful implantation of a bronchial stent in a 3-month-old female infant presenting with congenital right bronchial stenosis and 18 months of follow-up. Use of stents in children remains controversial because of the problem of size mismatch as the child grows. Nevertheless, expandable stent implantation could be an interesting alternative to complex surgery for localized bronchial stenosis in neonates.A case of undifferentiated embryonic liver sarcoma mimicking cystic hydatid disease in an endemic region of the world
Undifferentiated embryonic liver sarcoma (UELS) is a rare highly malignant neoplasm that predominantly occurs in children between 5 and 10 years of age. The typical radiologic appearance on ultrasound and computed tomography of UELS shows a large septated mass having combined cystic and solid components. These radiographic features, however, are not specific to UELS and are shared by other more common and benign diseases of the liver. For example, cystic hydatid disease (CHD), caused by larvae of the Echinococcus tapeworm, is the most common indication for hepatic operations in children residing in endemic regions of the world.Two cases of fetus in fetu
Fetus in fetu (FIF) is a rare cause of abdominal mass in children. One of the malformed monozygotic diamniotic twins is located in the body of other twin. It is differentiated from teratoma by the presence of vertebral organization with limb buds and other organ systems. Diagnosis is based on radiologic findings. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice, leading to the complete removal of the mass. To our knowledge, less than 200 cases have been described in the literature. Herein, we report 2 cases of FIF, a newborn who was diagnosed antenatally and a three-and-half-year- old boy diagnosed with mediastinal FIF after admission for recurrent respiratory tract infections.Volvulus of the appendix: a case report
Volvulus of the appendix is an uncommon phenomenon in children (J Can Med Assoc.1966;95:926-927). Only a few reports exist in the literature concerning this subject. We describe a 2-year-old child who presented with right lower quadrant abdominal pain and was initially diagnosed as ruptured appendicitis with abscess. Attempt at computed tomography–guided drainage failed to produce purulent drainage, and the child was taken to the operating room for diagnostic laparoscopy. Operative findings revealed a volvulus of the appendix, and a laparoscopic appendectomy was performed.Clinical management of cervical ectopic thymus in children
Cervical ectopic thymus (CET) is an extremely uncommon etiology of a neck mass in an infant. The aim of this study was to study and analyze the clinical manifestations, management principles, and pathological diagnosis of CET.Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the rectum in a 13-month-old girl: a case report
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is a rare benign neoplasm. It is common in children and has been reported in various locations throughout the body but rarely in the rectum. A 13-month-old girl presented with a short history of a painless anal mass and no hematochezia. The mass was completely excised, and histologic examination of the initial biopsy showed fascicles of spindle cells in a mixed inflammatory background with predominance of plasma cells, typical of an inflammatory pseudotumor. The spindle cells were positive for smooth muscle actin and anaplastic lymphoma kinase staining.Benign intrascrotal lipoblastoma in a 4-month-old infant: a case report and review of literature
Lipoblastomas are rare benign soft tissue tumors that occur primarily in young children. Most lipoblastomas occur in the extremities, trunk, head, and neck. An intrascrotal location is unusual. We describe a case of a 4-month-old infant with an intrascrotal lipoblastoma and discuss the differential diagnosis and review the literature.Appendiceal carcinoid tumor with lymph node metastasis in a child: case report and review of the literature
Most appendiceal carcinoids (ACs) in children present without lymph node metastasis. Lymph node metastasis is rarely present when primary tumor diameter exceeds 1 cm. We present the extraordinary case of an AC with a primary tumor diameter of 0.7 cm and infiltration of the mesentery, as well as 1 positive lymph node of the mesentery in a 14-year-old boy. Besides adding a rare case, we review the data published in the current literature on AC with lymph node metastasis in children and summarize up-to-date guidelines for diagnostic workup, therapy, and follow-up.Granulomatous appendicitis in a 12-year-old boy
Isolated granulomatous inflammation of the appendix is extremely rare, and its etiology is still unknown. We describe a 12-year-old boy with isolated granulomatous appendicitis where the etiology could not be clarified despite infectious criteria such as high fever and gastroenteritis. Children with epithelioid granulomatous appendicitis have a good prognosis following appendectomy.Induction of life-threatening supraventricular tachycardia during central venous catheter placement: an unusual complication
Cardiac arrhythmias during central venous catheter (CVC) insertion are typically transient events with no hemodynamic repercussions. Pediatric reports on this condition are scarce and fail to describe potentially life-threatening complications.Myoepithelioma of the parotid gland in a child: a case report
Myoepitheliomas of the parotid glands are very rare in the pediatric population. Only a few cases of myoepitheliomas of the salivary glands have been reported in children. They have some similar features with pleomorphic adenoma. However, they may be malignant and infiltrate locally. Hence, histopathologic examination should be considered to differentiate these tumors. The treatment of myoepitheliomas is complete removal of the tumor. We report a child with myoepithelioma of the parotid gland and review the related literature.Dumping syndrome after esophageal atresia repair without antireflux surgery
In childhood, the surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux is the main cause of dumping syndrome. We report the cases of 2 children with esophageal atresia who presented with dumping syndrome without any precipitating known factors, such as gastroesophageal reflux surgery or associated microgastria. Our data suggest (1) that dumping syndrome can occur after primary anastomosis of esophageal atresia without antireflux surgery and (2) that dumping syndrome should be considered in every child treated surgically for esophageal atresia presenting with digestive symptoms, malaise, failure to thrive, or refusal to eat.A Triton tumor mimicking sacrococcygeal teratoma
A newborn female infant delivered after a normal pregnancy was found to have a large sacrococcygeal mass. Imaging and laboratory studies suggested this was a sacrococcygeal teratoma. On the 16th day of age, the tumor was completely removed. Histopathologic examination of the tumor showed malignant Triton tumor (MTT). Thus, we describe a female newborn without a family history of neurofibromatosis with an MTT that mimics a sacrococcygeal teratoma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a sacrococcygeal MTT detected in a neonate.Malignant tumor of the trachea in children: diagnostic pitfalls and surgical management
Primary tracheal malignant neoplasms are very rare. Histologically, squamous cell and adenoid cystic carcinomas are the most common types of malignant primary tracheal tumors when all age groups are studied. In the past 5 years, we treated 2 children with tracheal mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Herein we report both cases and review the literature on the subject with particular emphasis on diagnosis and surgical management.Epididymal leiomyoma: an unusual intrascrotal tumor in a child
A 13-year-old boy presented with a large painless scrotal mass and underwent radical orchiectomy with the presumptive diagnosis of testicular tumor. The diagnosis was epididymal leiomyoma (EL). The treatment of paratesticular tumors is excision of the tumor without orchiectomy whenever possible. Even when the epididymal origin of the tumor is detected during operation, it may be impossible to spare the testis because of the tumor's large size or incorporation of the testis into the tumor mass. This case is presented because of the extremely rare incidence of epididymal tumors and of EL and to emphasize the diagnosis and treatment of epididymal tumors.Local resection of metanephric adenoma with kidney preservation
Metanephric adenoma (MA) is a rare renal neoplasm present at any age. Usually, a total nephrectomy is performed. Some successful partial nephrectomies or selective tumor resections are described in adults but not in children. We present here the case of a 15-month-old boy, the youngest patient yet to be reported with an MA. We performed a local resection of the tumor. Today, 2 1/2 years after surgery, we can document a favorable clinical course and normal ultrasound findings in the follow-up of the operated kidney.Castleman disease: surgical cure in pediatric patients
Castleman disease is a rare disorder characterized by lymphoid hyperplasia which rarely manifests in children. We present 2 cases which highlight both histologic variants of this disease, and provide suggestions regarding workup and treatment with the goal of making practitioners aware of Castleman disease in the differential diagnosis of a child presenting with vague symptoms.Congenital subglottic web: a rare cause of neonatal stridor
Laryngeal web is a rare malformation caused by an anomalous embryologic development of the primitive larynx. Most of the reported cases are of the glottic type; the subglottic web is extremely rare. Laryngotracheobronchoscopy plays an essential role in the diagnostic workup of this lesion, and endolaryngeal resection is the preferred treatment whenever a structural cartilaginous subglottic stenosis is not present. The authors present the case of a neonate with a subglottic web diagnosed soon after birth.Mesenteric lipoblastoma: a rare location in children
Lipoblastoma is a rare childhood tumor composed of embryonic fat. It is benign and most often presents in children younger than 3 years. These tumors primarily present as a rapidly enlarging mass in the extremities or trunk with abdominal lipoblastomas comprising less than 10% of all reported cases. Abdominal lipoblastomas are most commonly found in the retroperitoneum with less than 15 reported cases arising in the mesentery. We report the unusual presentation of a lipoblastoma arising in the mesentery of a 3-year-old boy.Quadruplication of dystopic kidney in combination with ureteral cyst
A case of ureteral quadruplication associated with renal dystopia is described. Four ureters drained into ureteric cyst and distal monoureter opened into the bladder. The literature concerned this extremely rare malformation is reviewed.Fournier's gangrene in childhood: a report of 3 infant patients
Fournier's gangrene is uncommon in pediatric age group, and little is known about the disease in the newborn period and infancy. Three patients, aged 10 days, 14, and 17 months, with Fournier's gangrene, were treated in our hospital. The predisposing factors were prematurity, a diaper rash, and varicella infection, respectively. Especially, prematurity and diaper rash are rare predisposing factors in the pediatric population; therefore, high index of suspicion, prompt diagnosis, conservative surgery, and multidisciplinary approach are the mainstays of management in children with Fournier's gangrene.Acute urinary retention in a 7-year-old girl: an unusual complication of cytomegalovirus cystitis
Acute urinary retention in children is rare. There are a variety of causes about the disease. We report a case of a 7-year-old girl with acute urinary retention and hematuria. Pelvic sonogram revealed an isoechoic mass in the urinary bladder that appeared as a lobulated filling defect over the bladder neck on intravenous urography and computed tomography studies. The surgical specimen from cystoscopic examination showed reactive changes on pathologic analysis. Cytomegalovirus was isolated from urine culture.Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis infiltrating the liver
We report for the first time a patient with a caliceal diverticulum that was detected in early childhood, who in adolescence developed xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis to the diverticulum and surrounding kidney and infiltrated to the liver. The condition was treated by nonradical organ-sparing surgery and prolonged antibiotic therapy.Bilateral ureteropelvic junction disruption in a 5-year-old boy
Ureteral injuries represent less than 1% of all traumatic genitourinary injuries. The rarity of traumatic ureteral injury is at least in part because the ureters are relatively well protected in the retroperitoneum. Ureteral injuries after blunt trauma are not common, and bilateral disruption of the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) has only been previously reported in just one child. This is the first documented case of operative ureteral repair of bilateral complete UPJ disruption with double J ureteral stents in a child.An unusual case of female hypospadias associated with a pelvic mass
Female hypospadias is a rare malformation. We report on an unusual case that presented with a urethral dimple in the perineum in association with a pelvic soft tissue sarcoma compressing and displacing the urethra. The diagnosis was made by cystoscopy, and, as the patients remained asymptomatic, no treatment was eventually required for her urologic malformation. This is, to our knowledge, the first reported case of female hypospadias associated with a perineal urethral dimple. The possible pathogenesis of the malformation is discussed also in relation to the simultaneous presence of a pelvic mass.Segmental dilatation of the ileum accompanying hypoproteinemia
Segmental intestinal dilatation (SID) is a rare pathologic finding, which causes intestinal obstruction in newborn period and gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia, abdominal pain, malabsorption, and growth failure in older children. We present a case of SID causing hypoproteinemia.Adrenocortical oncocytoma: a case report and review of literature
Oncocytic tumors of the adrenal gland are uncommon. Most of these oncocytomas are benign and nonfunctioning. We report the case of functioning adrenocortical located in the right adrenal gland in a 6-year-old girl who presented with pseudoprecocious puberty and elevation of the estradiol level. She had an adrenalectomy. The tumor was small and composed predominantly of oncocytes. No criteria of malignancy were found. A discussion of this case and a review of the literature on this entity are presented.Laparoscopic aided cholecystostomy as a treatment of inspissated bile syndrome
We report a case of a newborn girl with inspissated bile syndrome (IBS) that did not respond to treatment with oral ursodeoxycholic acid (Ursofalk). A solution was found using laparoscopic aided cholecystostomy with an indwelling catheter for local Ursofalk flushing in the gallbladder and the choledochus. This is the first report of a laparoscopic aided management of IBS without cholecystectomy or exploration of the bile ducts. This minimal invasive approach showed a clear advantage for the patient.Cervicothoracic neuroblastoma arising from the stellate ganglion in children: the use of muscle and bone sparing transmanubrial transcostal approach
Cervicothoracic neuroblastoma arising from the stellate ganglion in children has always been a challenge to the pediatric surgeon. Localized thoracic neuroblastoma in children has a very good prognosis if excised completely even without adjuvant therapy. Several approaches have been described to resect cervicothoracic neuroblastoma arising from the stellate ganglion with limited success. The muscle and bone sparing transmanubrial transcostal approach which spares the clavicle and the sternomastoid muscle provides excellent exposure for the complete excision of the tumor and excellent functional outcome.Delayed presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia manifesting as combined-type acute gastric volvulus: a case report and review of the literature
Acute gastric volvulus associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia is an unusual surgical emergency. We describe a case of an 11-year-old girl who presented with a 4-day history of abdominal pain, nonproductive retching, cough, and shortness of breath. A chest radiograph revealed a large air-fluid level in left hemithorax and the presence of intestinal loops with marked mediastinal deviation. Nasogastric decompression was unsuccessful. Via a thoracoscopic approach, the large fluid-filled stomach was percutaneously decompressed but could not be reduced.The life-threatening hemodialysis catheter heparin lock caused bleeding in a child after peritoneal catheter removal
Hemodialysis catheter patency is regularly maintained by high-concentration heparin filling, according to manufacturer's recommendation. Surprisingly, there are only few reports on serious bleeding complications in children on dialysis. A case of serious, life-threatening hemorrhage in a child after tunneled peritoneal catheter removal because of hemodialysis catheter heparin lock flushing is described. Discussion of the literature data is presented. Further investigations are needed to develop the guidelines for pediatric dialysis catheter care, including the optimal concentration for heparin lock as the possible heparin alternatives, but until that moment, previously suggested guidelines to prevent hemorrhagic complications in dialyzed children should be emphasized.An exceptional cause of intestinal obstruction in a 2-year-old boy: strangulated hernia of the ileum through Winslow’s foramen
The case of a 2-year-old boy suffering from a strangulated ileal herniation through Winslow's foramen into the lesser sac is reported. He presented an abdominal pain of sudden onset 16 hours previously. The clinical examination, abdominal x-ray, and sonography were not helpful in the assessment of the diagnosis of internal hernia, which was evoked by the computed tomography. At laparotomy, approximately 30 cm of the strangulated ileum was reduced through Winslow's foramen. Fifteen centimeters of the ileum was gangrenous and thus resected with an end-to-end anastomosis.Acute acalculous cholecystitis of viral etiology—a rare condition in children?
Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) comprises 5% to 10% of all cases of acute cholecystitis in adults and appears to be even less frequently diagnosed in children. The diagnosis of AAC is established upon some clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic findings, which may sometimes be ambiguous and confusing especially in children. Diagnostic difficulties may result in either delayed diagnosis or unnecessary surgical intervention. Acute cholecystitis owing to viral infectious factors is reported to be extremely rare.Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion is an option for treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis in children
Gastrointestinal carcinomas in childhood are rare and frequently present at an advanced stage. Besides lymphatic and distant organ metastasis, peritoneal carcinomatosis may be detected and has a poor prognosis. In addition to surgery and intravenous chemotherapy, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) may be an option for selected patients. Our aim was to demonstrate the feasibility of the method and to discuss possible indications.Anorectal impalement in a pediatric patient with transanal evisceration of small bowel
Rectal injuries in the pediatric population are most often attributed to accidental falls on offending objects, sexual abuse, or blunt trauma. Anorectal impalement is a rare injury, and as a result, specific knowledge or experience on the treatment of this type of injury in children is sparse. The extent of injury is often difficult to assess. Mostly, therapeutical decisions are based on general knowledge in adults. We present a case of accidental anorectal impalement in a child by a fall on the handle of a toilet brush.Tinea capitis: no incision nor excision
Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp and hair shaft that mainly affects prepubescent children. Its clinical aspects range from a mild noninflammatory infection resembling seborrheic dermatitis to a highly inflammatory swelling reaction (kerion). We report the cases of 2 children who underwent surgical treatment of their kerions under general anesthesia. One lesion had been incised and the other excised. This inappropriate treatment made conservative treatment after surgery more difficult.Renal parenchymal malacoplakia: a different stage of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis?
Malacoplakia is a rare inflammatory condition characterized by demonstrative Michaelis-Gutmann bodies, which are foamy histiocytes with distinctive basophilic inclusions. Malacoplakia is caused by the inadequate elimination of bacteria by macrophages or monocytes as a result of defective phagocytic activity. Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is characterized by the destruction of renal parenchyma and its replacement by solid sheets of foamy lipid-laden macrophages. Prolonged infection of the kidney, which is frequently caused by an obstruction of the urinary tract, is the pathologic mechanism of that condition.Actinomycosis: a differential diagnosis for appendicitis: A case report and review of the literature
Actinomyces is a genus of gram-positive anaerobic or microaerophilic bacteria that colonize the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts and the female genital tract. These organisms cause disseminated disease in the mouth, the respiratory system, and rarely in the gastrointestinal tract. The diseases produced by Actinomyces species result from the disruption of the barriers that allow the dissemination of the bacteria through the surrounding tissues. The appendix is often a nidus of Actinomyces infection, but a prompt diagnosis cannot be made without the results of histologic examination of the appendix.Carotid body paraganglioma: rare tumor in a 15-year-old adolescent boy
We report a 15-year-old adolescent boy with right-side carotid body paraganglioma (CBP). The diagnosis of CBP was suspected accidentally because of an asymptomatic mass in the right side of the neck and was confirmed by ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and carotid arteriography. The CBP was successfully removed surgically by complete subadventitial excision without complications or neurologic sequelae. In addition, the patient had type 1 diabetes. Recently, it has been demonstrated that carotid body plays a role in the glucoregulation in vivo and that hypoglycaemic episodes in patients with diabetes may be related to alterations of carotid body sensory function.Management of children with pancreatic head mass
The management of children with a mass in the head of the pancreas is not well defined. The medical records of 3 children with obstructive jaundice because of a mass in the head of the pancreas over a 4-year period were reviewed retrospectively. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography showed intrahepatic and extrahepatic ductal dilatation and a pancreatic mass. Intraoperative frozen section revealed no evidence of malignancy. These patients were separately managed by pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, cholecystectomy and Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy, common duct exploration, and T-tube drainage.The “sugar” clear cell tumor of the lung—clinical presentation and diagnostic difficulties of an unusual lung tumor in youth
A case of the “sugar” clear cell tumor of the lung in a 16-year-old boy is presented. The course of the disease with general symptoms, never reported before, highlights diagnostic difficulties of an extremely rare lung tumor in youth. The boy presented with daily spikes of unexplained high fever of 6 weeks' duration with features of hypochromic microcytic anemia, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, α2- and β-globulins, and elevated platelet count. The lung tumor was a yellow, circumscribed mass confined to the sixth segment of the left lung.Fibrobronchoscopic treatment of foreign body aspiration in children: an experience of 5 years in Hangzhou City, China
The aims of the study were to evaluate duration of symptoms, clinical manifestation, radiological findings, fibrobronchoscopic findings, and the complications of airway foreign body (FB).Diaphragmatic lipoma in a 4-year-old girl: a case report
A lipoma of the diaphragm is extremely rare. Although most congenital diaphragmatic lipomas are encountered in middle or old age because of their typical asymptomatic nature, none have been reported in patients younger than 14 years. We report the case of a large diaphragmatic lipoma in a 4-year-old patient.Management of splenic abscess in children by percutaneous drainage
Isolated splenic abscesses are rare in pediatric patients. The recommended treatment in the literature has been in favor of splenectomy, although conservative treatment with splenic preservation is being increasingly reported. We report successful management of 4 pediatric patients with splenic abscess by needle aspirations and antibiotics.Bilateral adrenal neuroblastoma and nephroblastoma occurring synchronously in a child with Fanconi's anemia and VACTERL syndrome
Fanconi's anemia (FA) is an autosomal recessive inherited syndrome with a predisposition to malignancy. The association between FA and solid pediatric tumors is extremely rare. The authors report a rare case of VACTERL syndrome associated with FA and multiple solid pediatric tumors occurring in a very young girl. This child had numerous congenital anomalies (horseshoe kidney, cerebella hypoplasia, microcephaly, sacral agenesis) and esophageal atresia, which was repaired in neonatal period. Such association led quickly to the diagnosis of FA.Hemothorax: an unusual complication of costal exostosis
We report a case of a spontaneous hemothorax in a 15-year-old girl because of costal exostosis. This possibly may have been provoked by a nontraumatic rupture of markedly dilated pleural vessels because of long-standing friction between the exostosis and the pleura. The authors conclude that exostosis of the rib is a rare cause of hemothorax in children and should be considered among possible etiologies in diagnosis.An intestinal volvulus caused by multiple magnet ingestion: an unexpected risk in children
It has been reported that ingested magnets can cause intestinal fistula formation or perforation, leading to intestinal obstruction. However, there are no previous case reports that magnet ingestion additionally caused an intestinal volvulus. We report herein the case of a 1-year-old boy in whom the ingested magnets caused a volvulus of part of the small intestine leading to the resection of the necrotic portion. We think that if more than one magnet is found as a foreign body in the intestine, they should be removed immediately by laparotomy.Fatty liver caused by portal vein thrombosis after living donor liver transplantation: a case report
Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare complication that occurs after liver transplantation: however, it cannot be ignored as a cause of graft loss and death. We herein report a pediatric case of PVT that caused a fatty change in the graft after living donor liver transplantation. The portal vein was successfully reconstructed using the left great saphenous vein of the same donor. Moreover, the fatty liver recovered after the operation. Our case suggests that the finding of fatty liver is an important marker of PVT and immediate portal reconstruction is performed.Giant cyst of the rete ovarii in a child
The ovarian cysts are mostly nonneoplastic in children and could be categorized as follicular, simple, and corpus luteum cysts. Follicle cysts are the most common type in both neonates and older children. The rete ovarii rarely gives rise to cysts and to benign and malignant tumors. The rete cysts are most often found in postmenopausal women and have not been reported in children yet. We describe herein a case of giant rete cyst of ovary in an 11-year-old girl and discuss the clinical and histopathologic features of such cysts.Renal cell carcinoma: case report and literature review
Renal cell carcinoma arising from epithelial cells of the renal tubule is a highly aggressive and malignant tumor in all ages. Less than 2% of cases occur in childhood, relatively in older age group. Only a few pediatric series have been presented in the English literature. Tumor is presented with characteristic findings of flank pain, gross hematuria, and palpable mass. Although one half of the patients have metastasis at the time of diagnosis, most cases are currently being incidentally detected using improved imaging techniques.Mucoepidermal carcinoma of the lung detected by positron emission tomography in a 5-year-old girl
The authors describe a rare case of mucoepidermal carcinoma of the lung incidentally identified in preoperative assessments for inguinal hernia repair in a 5-year-old girl. This patient was referred for right external inguinal hernia, and a 3.0-cm round-shaped lesion was found in the right lower lung field of a chest x-ray film. She had no respiratory tract complaints, but her serum carcinoembryonic antigen concentration was markedly elevated (21.2 ng/mL). Chest and abdominal computed tomography/magnetic resonance images could not determine the nature of the lesion, but 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) indicated a malignant tumor pattern.Torsion of an ectopic liver in a young child
A large ectopic liver nodule connected to the greater omentum had undergone infarction and separation because of torsion of its connecting stalk and was the cause of acute abdominal pain and elevated liver enzymes in a young female child. At laparotomy for a suspected perforated appendicitis, a hemorrhagic peritoneal fluid was found, together with an intraperitoneal solid mass lying freely in the right iliac fossa. The definitive diagnosis was obtained by histopathology. This is the first known such reported case.
