Predictive factors for successful vessel-intact laparoscopic orchiopexy for intra-abdominal testes

OBJECTIVE

To identify the predictive factors for successful vessel-intact laparoscopic orchiopexy (VILO) for nonpalpable intra-abdominal testes (NPIT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

25 boys with 28 NPITs within 2 cm of the internal ring underwent VILO. They were divided into two groups based upon outcome, for statistical comparison. Group A (successful VILO): patients with testes pexed in scrotum during surgery, and maintained viability and scrotal position of testes at 3-month & 6-month postoperative follow up. Group B: failed VILO.

RESULTS

Intrascrotal fixation at VILO was achievable for 17/28 NPITs. Postoperative follow up and final outcome data were available for 25/28 NPITs, of which 14 were successful (A) while 11 had failed VILO (B). The mean age of patients in group A differed significantly from that of patients in group B (4.16 years versus 6.64 years; p = 0.035). The mean testis-to-internal ring distance was 0.50 cm for group A and 1.05 cm for group B, but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.141). There was statistically a highly significant difference (p = 0.002) with respect to the mean internal ring-to-midscrotum distances in groups A and B: 5.56 cm and 7.05 cm, respectively. A scatter-plot of age or height against internal ring-to-midscrotum distance showed a fairly linear relationship.

CONCLUSIONS

Age or height of the patient at surgery is an independent factor predicting the success of VILO for intra-abdominal testis. The internal ring-to-midscrotum distance increases with age/height, resulting in increased testis-to-midscrotum distance and higher failure rate of VILO in older children.

Comparative evaluation of postreduction intra-articular distal radial fractures by radiographs and multidetector computed tomography

BACKGROUND

Computed tomography can be an adjunct to radiographs when evaluating intra-articular fractures of the distal part of the radius. Acute-phase multidetector computed tomography has better temporal, spatial, and contrast resolution than a conventional scanner has. The aim of this study was to determine prospectively whether the addition of a multidetector computed tomography scan (with various reconstructions) results in changes in the evaluation of intra-articular distal radial fractures and thus changes in the plans for further management.

METHODS

Radiographs and multidetector computed tomography scans were compared prospectively in the evaluation of 117 patients (120 wrists) with acute intra-articular distal radial fractures. The parameters that were measured included the ability to detect intra-articular step and gap displacements, central articular depression, coronal plane fracture, the number of articular fragments, comminution, and associated injuries in the wrist region (carpal bone fractures, distal radioulnar joint disruption, and ulnar styloid fracture).

RESULTS

The average measurements for intra-articular step and gap were 0.4 mm and 0.9 mm, respectively, on post-reduction radiographs and 1.3 mm and 2.4 mm, respectively, on sagittal multidetector computed tomography images (p < 0.0001 for each). Central articular depression was found in twenty-one wrists (18% of the total) on radiographs, but on multidetector computed tomography it was found to be present in seventy-four wrists (62% of the total) (p < 0.0001). Twenty-six radiographically occult injuries in the wrist region, including six scaphoid fractures, were detected with the help of multidetector computed tomography. Overall, the recommended treatment plan changed in 23% of the cases when the evaluation included multidetector computed tomography images in addition to conventional radiographs. Interobserver and intraobserver agreements were significantly increased when radiographs and multidetector computed tomography images both were available for evaluation (κ = 0.73 and 0.91, respectively) as compared with interobserver and intraobserver agreement with radiographs alone (κ = 0.43 and 0.69, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Multidetector computed tomography provides more accurate information regarding the anatomy of intra-articular distal radial fractures than radiography provides. The addition of multidetector computed tomography to plain films frequently changes the therapeutic recommendations for such cases.

A rare etiology of cauda equina syndrome

Fungal infections of the spine are very rare and usually seen in immunocompromised patients. Acute cauda equina syndrome presenting in an immunocompetent patient is usually due to a prolapse of the intervertebral disc. Infective pathology caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis with epidural collection can also have a similar presentation. We present a case of spinal epidural abscess caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, presenting as acute cauda equina syndrome. To the best of our knowledge, spinal aspergillosis presenting as cauda equina syndrome in an immunocompetent patient has not been reported before in the English-language based medical literature. Surgical decompression with antifungal treatment with oral itraconazole yielded a good recovery.

Traction apophysitis of medial malleolus: a case report with review of the literature

Traction apophysitis of medial malleolus is very rare and presented in view of its rarity. A 13 years old boy presented with pain and swelling without history of trauma around left ankle of 3 months duration. The swelling was diffuse with tenderness on anterior aspect of medial malleolus. The overlying skin was normal. The X-rays revealed fragmented accessory ossification centre of medial malleolus an left side. MRI revealed multiple foci of hypointensity in T1 and T2 weighted images of left medial malleolus apophysis. Patient was treated in below knee plaster for three weeks with restriction of sports activities for 5 weeks. The patient became asymptomatic in 8 weeks.

Imaging spectrum in disseminated histoplasmosis: Case report and brief review

The clinical manifestations of chronic disseminated histoplasmosis are non-specific and resemble those of other chronic infections and malignancies. We report the radiographic, sonographic and contrast-enhanced CT appearances of histoplasmosis in an adult male with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, who was HIV negative and presented with weight loss and pyrexia. Imaging studies simulated tuberculosis with mediastinal lymphadenopathy, bilateral fibrotic lung lesions, hepatomegaly and bilateral hypoattenuating adrenal enlargement, without clinical or laboratory evidence of hypoadrenalism. Computed tomography-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of adrenal glands revealed Histoplasma capsulatum. We report our experience to increase awareness of the imaging spectrum of disseminated histoplasmosis and its similarity to tuberculosis as, with increasing incidence of AIDS, the chances of these infections are likely to increase. Moreover, awareness of this entity is important because it is known that untreated disseminated histoplasmosis is fatal.

The CT triad of malignancy in meningioma--redefinition, with a report of three new cases

The CT triad of extracranial soft-tissue tumour, underlying osteolysis and an intracranial tumour was reported as a sign of malignancy in meningioma, by Younis and Sawaya in 1992. We report the clinical and CT spectrum of three new cases with a similar triad, confirmed to be malignant meningioma. However, we redefine this sign and suggest that this triad is an unequivocal indicator of malignancy in meningioma, provided metastases have been excluded.

Solitary calvarial metastases: an unusual presentation of thoracic neuroblastoma

A primary thoracic origin occurs only in 20% of neuroblastomas, and their classical presentation is mediastinal or cord compression. Skeletal metastases of neuroblastomas are characteristically multiple, and calvarial deposits usually show simultaneous involvement of orbit. Solitary metastases in neuroblastoma, is an unusual entity and its presentation as a large calvarial mass, especially from a thoracic primary, is rare. Furthermore, calvarial metastases are relatively uncommon in children compared to adults. We discuss the clinical, radiographic, CT features, and differential diagnosis of a large calvarial mass with sunray spiculation in a child, which was due to a solitary metastases from an occult thoracic neuroblastoma. The possibility of neuroblastoma presenting in this unique fashion and the importance of considering a chemosensitive tumor such as neuroblastoma in the differential diagnosis of a solitary calvarial mass in a child is highlighted by our report.

Lung agenesis in a neonate presenting with contralateral mediastinal shift

A neonate with right lung agenesis presenting with respiratory distress is described. The unusual radiological features were contralateral mediastinal shift (in contrast to expected ipsilateral shift) and diaphragmatic eventration on the affected side. Mediastinal shift to the opposite side was due to intrathoracic hepatic herniation under a high placed eventrated diaphragm. Both these features have not been reported in association with lung agenesis to date. The authors have discussed other causes of respiratory distress in newborns that can cause mediastinal shift and have urged a high degree of clinical suspicion to pick up the cases with lung agenesis. The newer diagnostic modalities and the causes of mortality in neonates with this anomaly have also been highlighted.

Left diaphragmatic eventration with a suprapubic spleen: report of a case

Diaphragmatic defects such as eventration and hernia are known to be associated with a high-sited, sometimes intrathoracic spleen. We report here a unique case of an 8-year-old boy found to have a left congenital diaphragmatic eventration and a suprapubic wandering spleen after presenting with symptoms of an "acute abdomen" due to torsion of the splenic pedicle. To our knowledge only one other case of a similar paradoxical association of these anomalies has been reported before; interestingly, in this patient splenic infarction had also resulted secondary to splenic torsion. We recommend careful evaluation of the location and vascular status of the spleen in all patients with congenital diaphragmatic defects due to the common occurrence of splenic vascular insult.

Sonographic diagnosis of Ascaris-induced cholecystitis and pancreatitis in a child

We describe the sonographic diagnosis of Ascaris-induced acute cholecystitis and pancreatitis in a 2-year-old girl. Abdominal sonography revealed a grossly distended gallbladder with a thick (0.5-cm) wall. The common bile duct was dilated to 0.6 cm without sludge or calculi. The pancreas was hypoechoic, with an enlarged, 3.3-cm pancreatic head. Sonography showed dilatation of the small- and large-bowel loops, with multiple roundworms in duodenal and colonic loops. Sonography has an important role not only in the diagnosis of this uncommon condition but also in the documentation of its unusual etiologic agent.

Imaging spectrum in sclerotic myelomas: an experience of three cases

The classic radiographic presentation of multiple myeloma is lytic skeletal lesions. Primary sclerotic manifestations are rare and occur only in 3% of cases. The imaging spectrum in three cases of multiple myeloma with primary osteosclerosis is described. The first patient had spiculated sclerosis of the orbit, which is an uncommon site for myeloma. The second patient with POEMS syndrome had multiple, scattered, skeletal lesions with sclerotic margins. The third patient presented with a chest wall mass and had an expansile thick spiculated sclerosis in the rib. The wide imaging spectrum possible in sclerotic myelomas and their relevant differential diagnosis is emphasized.

Sonographic diagnosis of congenital tuberculosis: an experience with four cases

Abdominal sonography of four infants with pyrexia and hepatomegaly demonstrated multiple hypoechoeic hepatic and splenic foci, guided biopsies of which showed caseating granulomas with acid-fast bacilli. Evidence of tuberculosis in maternal endometrium and its exclusion in the contacts further confirmed a diagnosis of congenital tuberculosis. Clinical suspicion supplemented by careful sonography facilitated early detection and antemortem diagnosis of this potentially fatal disease.

Acute idiopathic mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus in a child

Gastric volvulus is a rare abdominal emergency in children and occurs secondary to associated predisposing congenital defects. The less frequent idiopathic variety of gastric volvulus is mostly chronic in its clinical course. Acute idiopathic mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus is a rare subtype and two out of the four reported cases of this entity among children in the past 12 years have been from the Indian subcontinent. We report another case of acute idiopathic mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus in a 7 year old Indian girl. Possibly there is an increased propensity of Asians to this is potentially fatal disease.

An unusual mediastinal mass due to metastasis

During childhood the common anterior middle mediastinal masses are either lymph node enlargement or teratomas/dermoids. A case of ossific mediastinal metastasis and pleural metastases from osteosarcoma, presenting three years after the primary disease (late metastasis) is reported for its rarity.