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ABSTRACT: To analyse the presenting features, signs and operative findings of children presenting with intermittent testicular pain, as testicular torsion is a relatively common and serious emergency in children that can lead to testicular loss in up to 80%, although half of these children have previous episodes of pain suggestive of intermittent torsion.
Data were collected prospectively for all patients presenting with recurrent pain between December 2000 and June 2001. Variables assessed included presenting symptoms, age, size, lie and position of the testis when supine and erect, the operative findings and follow-up.
Eight children had at least two previous episodes of testicular pain; four of these were admitted on six occasions. Two had undergone previous scrotal exploration. On clinical examination, six boys had a transverse testicle and two a discrepancy in testicular size. All children had their testes fixed. At operation in all patients there was abnormal attachment of the tunica vaginalis with a typical 'bell clapper' deformity. On follow-up only one patient still complains of pain.
In view of high incidence of abnormalities we consider that to improve the testicular salvage rate and prevent testicular atrophy, bilateral testicular fixation is recommended for boys with intermittent testicular pain and positive clinical findings.
BJU International 04/2003; 91(4):406-8. · 2.84 Impact Factor
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Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England 12/2002; 84(6):431. · 1.23 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Duodenal atresia is associated with a higher incidence of associated congenital malformations than jejunoileal atresia, supporting the hypothesis that the duodenal obstruction occurs early in fetal life. In this study, the authors analyzed the incidence of major associated malformations in jejunal atresia (JA) and ileal atresia (IA) to determine if there is a positive correlation between the proximity of the intestinal atresia and the association of other major anomalies.
Records of all patients with jejunoileal atresias treated at the authors' institution between 1980 and 1997 were examined.
There were 83 patients with jejunoileal atresias, 38 with JA, and 45 with IA. Sixteen (42%) of the JA patients had an associated major congenital malformation, whereas only 1 (2%) of the IA patients had an associated malformation. A single atresia was found in 18 (47%) of JA patients and 41 (91%) of IA patients. Twenty (53%) of the JA patients had either multiple or apple-peel atresia. Thirteen patients (16%) died, 11 with JA, and 2 with IA. Of the 11 patients with JA who died, 6 had multiple atresias, 4 had cystic fibrosis, and 1 had small bowel volvulus.
The higher incidence of associated major congenital extraintestinal malformations in JA compared with IA patients suggests that some cases of JA may arise from a malformative process.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery 06/2001; 36(5):774-6. · 1.45 Impact Factor
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P Corkery,
B Leek,
B Caulfield,
M Garrett,
J Gormley,
P O'Donnell,
N Kennedy,
K Sayers,
E Stokes,
B Bresnihan, [......],
B Higglns,
A Katkada,
G Canny,
P MacMathuna,
M O'Donovan,
A Schuur,
K Murphy,
A Foley,
S Ten Bruggencate,
L Ireland
Irish Journal of Medical Science 10/2000; 169(4):272-368. · 0.58 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The pathogenesis of biliary atresia (BA) is still unknown. Progression to cirrhosis despite restoration of bile flow by successful portoenterostomy suggests that it is a progressive disease of the liver and biliary tree. Whether immunologic factors play any role in the development of this disease remains uncertain. Aberrant expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class II antigens of HLA-DR on hepatocytes and biliary epithelium is regarded as important in the progression of hepatocellular and biliary damage mediated by cytotoxic T cells. This study was undertaken to evaluate expression of MHC Class II antigen and macrophage-associated antigens (CD68) in liver of patients with biliary atresia to determine their prognostic usefulness and possible role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Liver biopsy specimens from infants with BA (n = 15), neonatal hepatitis (n = 3), and normal livers (n = 6) were studied using an indirect immunoperoxidase staining using antibodies against MHC Class II antigen and macrophage-associated antigens (CD68) as well as routine H&E and Masson's trichome stain. In patients with biliary atresia, the liver biopsy specimen was obtained at the time of Kasai portoenterostomy. Expression of HLA-DR antigens and CD68 antigens was either absent or minimal in normal liver biopsy specimens. There were a few HLA-DR antigens and a few CD68-positive cells around portal tracts in all patients with neonatal hepatitis and five of the seven biliary atresia patients with successful Kasai portoenterostomy. In contrast, there was strong expression of HLA-DR antigen in bile ductules, inflammatory cells, and adjacent damaged hepatocytes and marked CD68-positive macrophage infiltrate in the portal tracts as well as hepatic lobules in two patients with good prognosis and in all eight patients with bad prognosis. Hepatic expression of MHC Class II antigen and CD68 antigens correlated well with the severity of clinical course in patients with BA and may act as a prognostic factor in these patients.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery 04/1997; 32(4):590-3. · 1.45 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To determine if serum intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) levels correlate with renal scarring in children with vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR).
Serum ICAM-1 levels were measured in 81 children (29 boys and 52 girls, age range 2 months-13 years) with VUR using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared with levels in a control group of 24 children (16 boys and eight girls, age range 2 days-13 years) with no urological abnormalities.
The mean serum ICAM-1 level in the control group was 202 +/- 79 ng/mL (mean +/- 1 SD) compared with 347 +/- 96 ng/mL in children with VUR (P < 0.001). Fifteen of 26 children under 2 years of age demonstrated renal scarring while 18 of 44 children older than 2 years exhibited renal scarring. The mean serum ICAM-1 level in patients who were < 2 years of age and had renal scarring was 408 +/- ng/mL, significantly higher than in those who had no renal scarring (296 +/- 68 ng/mL, P < 0.01). In contrast, there was no difference in serum ICAM-1 levels in patients > 2 years of age with or with no renal scarring (353 +/- 87 and 325 +/- 91 ng/mL, respectively).
Serum ICAM-1 levels are significantly higher in children with VUR and may represent a valuable marker of tubular damage in younger children with VUR.
British Journal of Urology 08/1995; 76(2):249-51.
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ABSTRACT: To assess factors relating to renal scarring following kidney injury.
A total of 25 children who had documented renal injury between 1981 and 1988 were included in the study and 19 were followed up for 1 month to 12 years (mean 5.5 years) and the development of hypertension and renal scars assessed using ultrasonography and radionuclide scans (dimercapto-succinic acid, DMSA).
Of the 19 children 13 had renal contusions, four had renal lacerations and two sustained severe renal injury, one of whom had pelvi-ureteric disruption. Eighteen patients presented with macroscopic or microscopic haematuria except the patient with pelvi-ureteric junction disruption who presented 3 weeks later with abdominal distension, vomiting and hypertension. All the patients were managed without an operation except the latter patient who required nephrectomy. Renal scarring was demonstrated in four children at a mean follow-up of 3.5 years, one following renal contusion (5% scarring), two after renal laceration (50% scarring) and one after rupture of the kidney (100% scarring). In one patient intravenous pyelography did not reveal a renal scar but a radionuclide scan performed 5 years later demonstrated a scar. Transient hypertension was noted in only two patients but peripheral plasma renin levels were normal.
Renal scars developed in four of 19 patients with renal trauma and more than half of the patients with severe renal injury. Long-term follow-up including a radionuclide scan is therefore necessary in patients with renal injury. Although no sustained hypertension was noted in any patients in this study, long-term blood pressure assessments would seem prudent.
British Journal of Urology 06/1995; 75(5):663-5.
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ABSTRACT: The proximal margin of the resected bowel specimens from 33 consecutively treated patients undergoing a definitive pull-through operation for Hirschsprung's disease (HD) and control specimens consisting of suction rectal biopsy specimens obtained from 24 age-matched patients evaluated for constipation (and proven not to have HD) were examined using conventional H&E staining and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry. Complete resection of the aganglionic segment was confirmed in 31 patients. In one patient, the proximal margin was found to be aganglionic; in another, the proximal margin was in a transitional zone. In both patients, frozen sections at the time of surgery were interpreted as having ganglion cells. In 10 of 31 patients, intestinal neuronal dysplasia was demonstrated in the proximal margin of the resected bowel. The abnormalities included hyperplasia of the submucous plexus, giant ganglia (with > 7 ganglion cells), and ectopic ganglion cells (all 10 patients) and increased AChE activity in the lamina propria (5 patients). All ten patients with IND had persistent bowel problems after the definitive operation for HD, such as enterocolitis, soiling, or constipation. Only four of the other 21 patients had persistent bowel symptoms. This study suggests that IND is commonly associated with HD. It also emphasizes the importance of histochemical examination of the resected segment to predict postoperative bowel function in patients with HD.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery 02/1995; 30(2):253-7; discussion 257-9. · 1.45 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Subureteric Teflon injection (STING) has been successfully used by several investigators for treating vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) in children. This multicentre European survey reviews the results of STING in 6,216 ureters. Twenty-two paediatric surgeons/urologists from 18 centres in Europe answered an enquiry regarding their experience with STING in the treatment of VUR. 6,216 refluxing ureters were injected with Polytef paste in 4,166 children during 1984-1990. There were 975 boys and 3,191 girls. Their ages ranged from 2 months to 14 years (mean 5.1 years). The reflux was grade I in 4.4% of ureters, grade II in 36.1%, grade III in 40.2%, and grades IV and V in 19.3% of ureters. All patients were followed up for periods ranging from 3 months to 81/2 years and 90% were followed up for more than 2 years. 76.3% of all ureters stopped refluxing after a single injection of Teflon paste, cure rate increased to 84.9% after a second injection. A further 10.2% of refluxing ureters showed significant improvement in the grade of reflux after a single injection and needed no further treatment. 1.3% of ureters were cured after a third or fourth injection. Failure to correct or improve VUR was seen in 224 ureters (3.6%), necessitating reimplantation. Twenty ureters (0.32%) developed vesicoureteric junction obstruction following STING and these were reimplanted without difficulty. Results of this multicentre survey confirm that STING is an effective day care procedure for treatment of all grades of VUR. 95% of all ureters were cured or showed significant improvement after two injections of Teflon paste.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
European Urology 02/1995; 27(1):71-5. · 8.49 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The peak velocity for fetal weight gain occurs in the last few weeks of pregnancy. As the fetus matures, it swallows and absorbs an increasing amount of amniotic fluid, which contributes to the growth of the fetus. The authors studied cases of small intestinal atresia (IA) treated over 9 years to determine whether amniotic fluid has any nutritive role in the development of human fetus, and if it does, at what stage of gestation is the contribution of amniotic fluid significant to fetal nutrition. Fifty-nine newborns had IA (24 jejunal, 35 ileal). Ten of the patients had associated anomalies (3 cystic fibrosis, 2 congenital heart disease, 1 neural tube defect, 1 microcephaly, 2 malrotation, 1 vesicoureteric reflux). Among the 24 babies with jejunal atresia, one was a twin, and birth weight was not recorded for another. These two patients were excluded from the study. Of the remaining 22 patients with jejunal atresia, 10 were born before 36 weeks' gestation; only five of 35 patients with ileal atresia were born before 36 weeks' gestation. Fourteen patients were below the 10th percentile for birth weight after correction for gestational age, one was born before 36 weeks, and 13 were born after 36 weeks. Five (41.7%) of the 12 patients with jejunal atresia who were born after 36 weeks' gestation were underweight, as were eight (26.7%) of the 30 patients with ileal atresia. Thus, it appears that amniotic fluid contributes to the fetal growth in the last few weeks of gestation, and the higher the obstruction in the small intestine, the more pronounced the effect on the nutrition of the fetus.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery 10/1994; 29(9):1250-2. · 1.45 Impact Factor
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Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 09/1994; 19(2):246-9. · 2.30 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Over a period of 18 years, 77 of 135 patients treated for Hirschsprung's disease (HD) presented in the neonatal period. Of these 77 patients, 8 had gastrointestinal (GI) perforations. Seven patients were born at full term and 1 at 32 weeks of gestation. Three patients had associated trisomy 21. The site of perforation included rectum in 1 patient, sigmoid in 1, descending colon in 1, transverse colon in 2, caecum in 2, and jejunum in 1. Perforations occurred in ganglionic bowel in 7 patients and in the aganglionic segment in 1. One patient died in the newborn period of overwhelming sepsis secondary to enterocolitis, and histology of the bowel confirmed HD. In 6 patients HD was confirmed on barium enema and suction rectal biopsy, and they subsequently underwent a definitive pull-through operation. The 1 patient in whom the initial barium enema was normal continued to suffer from constipation until the age of 7 years, when the diagnosis of HD was established. He then underwent a pull-through procedure with no further problems. An association between neonatal intestinal perforation and HD must therefore be recognised to avoid delay in the management.
Pediatric Surgery International 07/1994; 9(7):501-502. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The association of Hirschsprung's disease (HD) and trisomy 21 has been well recognised. Seventeen (13%) of 135 patients presenting with HD between 1975 and 1992 had trisomy 21. Nine (53%) presented in the neonatal period, with intestinal obstruction (5), enterocolitis (2), or perforation of the colon (2). Eight patients presented after the neonatal period, with constipation. Pathological involvement included rectosigmoid (12), long segment (4), and total colonic aganglionosis (1). Definitive surgery was performed in 14 patients. At the mean follow-up of 8 years (4 to 15 years), only one of the 13 patients has normal bowel function. Eight have persistent soiling, and two have reverted to permanent stomata. There were two deaths in the series; one resulted from enterocolitis complicating HD, and the other from congenital cardiac disease. These data suggest that long-term bowel function in children with HD and trisomy 21 is poor and should be taken into consideration when planning the management.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery 07/1994; 29(6):781-3. · 1.45 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To determine the incidence of iatrogenic ascent of the testis following inguinal hernia repair in children.
A total of 627 children underwent 747 groin explorations for inguinal hernia between January 1981 and December 1984. A retrospective review of their charts until December 1991 was undertaken.
Nine patients subsequently required orchidopexies at a mean interval of 3 years 171 days (range 229 days-6 years 6 months). The incidence of iatrogenic ascent of the testis was 1.3% (6/459) for patients under 2 years of age at the initial operation, 1.3% (2/155) for those between 2 years and 5 years and 0.75% (1/133) for those above 5 years.
The incidence of iatrogenic ascent of the testis was 1.2% after groin exploration for inguinal herniotomy in children, indicating the need for long-term follow-up.
British Journal of Urology 06/1994; 73(5):580-1.
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ABSTRACT: The association of trisomy 21 and Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is well known. In a neonate, HD characteristically presents with delayed passage of meconium and/or intestinal obstruction. However, the presence of duodenal atreasia (DA), which may present similarly, can mask the associated HD. Over an 18-year period, 17 of 135 patients with HD had trisomy 21. Three of these 17 patients presented with duodenal obstruction in the newborn period — 2 had DA and 1 a complete duodenal web. One patient developed a perforation of the jejunum 7 days after laparotomy and duodenoduodenostomy and was found to have HD while the other 2 were later investigated because of persistent unresponsive constipation and confirmed to have HD at 1 and 2 years of age. In spite of associated Down's syndrome and DA, the possibility of HD should be considered in patients who have a complicated postoperative course or persisting abnormal stooling patterns.
Pediatric Surgery International 04/1994; 9(5):366-367. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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British Journal of Surgery 04/1994; 81(3):440. · 4.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Enterocolitis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with Hirschsprung''s disease (HD). Forty-one (30%) of 135 patients treated for HD from 1975 to 1992 developed enterocolitis; enterocolitis occured preoperatively in 25. It was a presenting feature in 17 infants, including 11 neonates. The proportion of patients presenting with enterocolitis in the neonatal period increased with advancing age, 6 (11%) out of 56 presenting within the 1st week and 5 (24%) out of 21 after 1 week. Episodes of enterocolitis continued in 7 of these 25 patients after a pull-through procedure. Sixteen patients had a first episode of enterocolitis after surgery: 3 after a colostomy, and 13 after a pull-through procedure. The incidence of enterocolitis was 28% in patients with rectosigmoid involvement and 38% in patients with long-segment or total colonic aganglionosis (P= 0.1). Enterocolitis occured in 8 (47%) of 17 patients with trisomy 21 as compared to 33 of 118 (28%) other patients (P= 0.1). Four of the 41 patients died as a result of enterocolitis, 3 in the neonatal period after a colostomy performed at a mean age of 22 days, although the symptoms suggestive of HD were present since birth. Prompt diagnosis and expeditious management are necessary in patients with HD.
Pediatric Surgery International 01/1994; 9(4):234-236. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Between 1973 and 1985, 165 infants (aged 1 week to 6 months) underwent unilateral inguinal herniotomy at our hospital. An attempt was made to trace these 165 children. It proved possible to contact and examine 116 children (104 boys and 12 girls). Age at follow-up ranged from 5 to 17 years. Parents were asked whether their children had attended any hospital for the treatment of contralateral hernia. All children were examined for the evidence of contralateral hernia. Boys were also examined for the position and size of the testis. Testicular volume was assessed with the help of Prader's Orchidometer. Twelve children (10.3%), 11 boys and 1 girl, subsequently developed contralateral inguinal hernia. The mean time interval between initial hernia operation and subsequent development of contralateral hernia was 164 days (range, 7 days to 18 months). Diminished size of testes was observed on the side of the operation in six patients and one patient had complete testicular atrophy. Three boys had a testis in the groin, presumably hitched up at operation and all three required orchidopexy. In view of the relatively low incidence of contralateral hernia and increased risk of damage to testes, we feel that routine contralateral exploration is not justified.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery 09/1993; 28(8):1026-7. · 1.45 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Despite success rates with a variety of urinary tract calculi, there is growing concern that extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has limitations and that its role needs to be redefined. We report the outcome of 28 consecutive children (age range, 6.5 months to 7 years; mean, 3.6 years) with urinary calculus disease, treated over a 5-year period. Thirteen patients had ESWL monotherapy, and 8 achieved stone clearance. The other 5 children in the ESWL monotherapy group, all with multiple calculi, required surgery to render them stone free. A further 14 patients (6 staghorn calculi, 6 multiple calculi, 1 solitary renal, and 1 child with multiple bladder calculi) were considered unsuitable for ESWL and had primary surgery. Twelve of those 14 were cleared by open surgery, one had residual fragments successfully treated by ESWL, and one still awaits adjuvant ESWL. One child had a solitary renal calculus (5 mm) which passed spontaneously. This study demonstrates that ESWL monotherapy cleared stones in only 8 of 28 patients and clearance in a further 6 was achieved with surgery. Surgery will continue to play an important role in the management of paediatric urolithiasis for large staghorn, multiple urinary tract calculi and lithotripsy failures.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery 09/1993; 28(8):1037-9. · 1.45 Impact Factor
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BMJ 06/1993; 306(6886):1168. · 14.09 Impact Factor