Transhepatic ultrasound guided embolization as a successful novel technique in treatment of pediatric complex intrahepatic arterioportal fistula: a case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Intrahepatic vascular shunts "IHVS" are abnormal communications between intra-hepatic vasculature involving the arterial, portal, or hepatic venous system. Arterio-portal fistula "APF" is an intrahepatic communication between the hepatic arterial system and the portal venous system without any communication with the systemic venous circulation. APF is considered a rare cause of portal hypertension and gastrointestinal bleeding in infancy.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 3-month-old Mediterranean female with known cardiac congenital anomalies presented to us with abdominal distension and diarrhea. Ultrasonography revealed massive ascites and computerized tomography (CT) abdomen with intravenous (IV) contrast revealed a left hepatic lesion. On further evaluation, an intrahepatic arterio-portal vascular malformation was detected. Attempted trans arterial embolization failed and radiology team successfully carried out direct trans hepatic ultrasound guided coiling of the aneurysmal venous sac followed by successful resection of segment 4 of the liver with the vascular malformation avoiding life threatening intra operative bleeding.

CONCLUSION

Any child with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, failure to thrive, vomiting, diarrhea, steatorrhea, splenomegaly, or ascites should be investigated for intrahepatic arterio-portal fistula "IAPF". Our novel technique of direct trans hepatic ultrasound guided coiling is an alternative method if trans arterial embolization "TAE" failed.

Medium-term outcomes of antegrade continent enema (ACE): Cairo University Specialized Pediatric Hospital (CUSPH) experience

AIM OF THE STUDY

To assess the medium-term outcomes of ACE in children with fecal incontinence (FI).

METHOD

Eligible children were recruited from the colorectal clinic between December 2016 and January 2020 and were followed prospectively for 2-6 years. A series of questionnaires were used to assess QOL, patients and parent satisfaction, and to assess the outcomes of the ACE.

RESULT

24 children aged 6-12 years (mean age 8.17 ± 1.95), including 18 males (75%) and 6 females (25% were studied. Cases included anorectal malformations (45.83%)., Hirschsprung disease (25%), neural tube defects (16.66%), sacrococcygeal teratoma (4.16%), and intractable pseudoincontinence (8.33%). QOL improved from (3) [3 -3] to (16) [16-16],p < 0.05. Fecal incontinence index showed significant improvement: 20 [20-20] versus 3 [0-4],p < 0.05. Bowel symptoms demonstrated improvement in the ability to decide when to pass stools and a decrease in soiling. Stooling survey showed lower scores representing better outcome. ACE questionnaire showed that the range of irrigation volumes used by parents is wide, and that all families recommend the ACE for children with similar condition. Postoperative complications were stenosis (16.66%), stomal prolapse (12.5%), leakage (4.16%), and false passage (4.16%). Satisfaction questionnaire showed a median score of 9 (range, 5-10).

CONCLUSION

ACE is an effective method to keep the child with FI clean, more socially active, and with a better QOL and FII in the medium-term. The reported complications were stenosis, false passage, and leakage. ACE mucosa prolapse is a novel complication picked up on medium-term follow up.

Bone demineralization in a cohort of Egyptian pediatric liver transplant recipients: Single center pilot study

Liver transplantation (LT) is the definitive treatment of end-stage liver disease. The long-term survival following LT spurred more interest in improving the quality of life of patients. This was a cohort study that included 23 pediatric liver transplant recipients who underwent LT due to hereditary or metabolic liver diseases. Bone health assessment was performed at their last follow up clinically (anthropometric measures), biochemically and radiologically (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry [DEXA] scans). Poor bone health was defined as z-score <-1. Mean age at LT was 5.77 years (standard deviation [SD] 3.64) and 43% were males. Biliary atresia was the most common cause of end stage liver disease (35%). Mean age at follow up was 14 years (SD 5.48) and mean follow up was 8 years (SD 4.12 years). Eleven patients (48%) had poor bone health (osteopenia 22% and osteoporosis 26%). On univariate analysis, being on steroids at last follow up (odds ratio [OR] 13.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-140.67, P = .03), weight at last follow up (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.20-0.99, P = .04), platelets at last follow up (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-s0.99, P = .02), hemoglobin at last follow up (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.12-0.89, P = .03) were significantly associated with poor bone health. None of the variables were significant on multivariate analysis. At most recent follow up, 48% of patients demonstrated poor bone health by DEXA scans. More studies are required to evaluate predictors of poor bone health after LT in children.

Congenital aflatoxicosis, mal-detoxification genomics & ontogeny trigger immune-mediated Kotb disease biliary atresia variant: SANRA compliant review

Biliary atresia (BA) is the most common indication for pediatric liver transplantation. We describe The BA variant: Kotb disease. Liver tissue in the Kotb disease BA is massively damaged by congenital aflatoxicosis resulting in inflammation, adhesions, fibrosis, bile duct proliferation, scarring, cholestasis, focal syncytial giant cell transformation, and typical immune response involving infiltration by CD4+, CD8+, CD68+, CD14+, neutrophil infiltration, neutrophil elastase spill, heavy loads of aflatoxin B1, accelerated cirrhosis, disruption of p53 and GSTPi, and have null glutathione S transferase M1 (GSTM1). All their mothers are heterozygous for GSTM1. This inability to detoxify aflatoxicosis results in progressive inflammatory adhesions and obliterative cholangiopathy early in life. The typical disruption of both p53 and GSTPi causes loss of fidelity of hepatic regeneration. Hence, regeneration in Kotb disease BA typically promotes accelerated cirrhosis. The immune response in Kotb disease BA is for damage control and initiation of regeneration, yet, this friendly fire incurs massive structural collateral damage. The Kotb disease BA is about actual ongoing hepatic entrapment of aflatoxins with lack of ability of safe disposal due to child detoxification-genomics disarray. The Kotb disease BA is a product of the interaction of persistent congenital aflatoxicosis, genetic lack of GSTM1 detoxification, ontogenically impaired activity of other hepatic detoxification, massive neutrophil-elastase, immune-induced damage, and disturbed regeneration. Ante-natal and neonatal screening for aflatoxicosis, avoiding cord milking, and stringent control of aflatoxicosis content of human, poultry and live-stock feeds might prove effective for prevention, prompt diagnosis and management based on our recent understanding of its patho-genomics.

Impact of preoperative nutritional status on surgical outcomes in patients with pediatric gastrointestinal surgery

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition has a high incidence among pediatric surgical patients and contributes to increased risks of postoperative complications and extended hospital stays.

PURPOSE

The present study aimed to determine the influence of preoperative nutritional status on the postoperative outcomes of pediatric patients who underwent elective gastrointestinal (GI) surgery.

METHODS

This prospective observational study was conducted at Cairo University Specialized Pediatric Hospital. According to the designated inclusion criteria, 75 surgical cases of both sexes were included. A structured questionnaire was developed and administered. This questionnaire included 3 main sections: demographic data and nutritional status parameters at admission and discharge. Pre- and postoperative nutritional statuses were compared.

RESULTS

According to both the subjective global nutritional assessment and STRONGKIDS score Questioner, more than 60% of patients in the upper GI patient group were at risk of malnutrition. Wasting status was most common in the upper GI patient group (67%; vs. 39.1% in the lower GI group). Underweight status was more common in the hepatobiliary and upper GI patient groups (nearly 50% for each group) than in the lower GI group (30.4%). On the other hand, stunted patients had a higher incidence of complications and a prolonged hospital stay (P=0.003 and P=0.037, respectively), while underweight lower GI patients experienced a prolonged hospital stay (P=0.02). A higher proportion of patients with preoperative anemia than those without preoperative anemia required a blood transfusion (P=0.003).

CONCLUSION

Nutritional assessment is a crucial component of pediatric surgical patient management. Both underweight and wasting statuses were more common among hepatobiliary and upper GI patients. Postoperative complications and a long hospital stay were more common among stunted patients.

Gastric tube esophagoplasty for pediatric esophageal replacement

BACKGROUND

Esophageal replacement in children is indicated in cases of esophageal atresia with or without fistula, in case of long gap esophageal atresia or failed primary repair. Intractable post corrosive esophageal stricture is considered also a major indication for replacement.

METHODS

This is a cohort retrospective study of esophageal replacement cases by gastric tube carried out at the pediatric surgery department at Cairo University between 2011 and 2015. We reported 50 patients (30 boys and 20 girls); the ages ranged from 7months to 9years. Esophageal atresia cases were 27 while caustic esophageal stricture cases were 23. Isoperistaltic gastric tube technique was done in 45 patients while antiperistaltic (reversed) gastric tube technique was done in 5 cases. Retrosternal route was chosen in 38 patients while transhiatal route was chosen in 12 patients.

RESULTS

Leakage and stricture were the most common complications. We had 5 cases of mortality, which were caused mainly by chest related complications. We had excellent to good results during long term follow up in terms of weight gain, swallowing pattern, quality of life, and overall satisfaction CONCLUSION: Gastric tube is a satisfactory surgical method for esophageal replacement in children.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.