Round worm migration along ventriculoperitoneal shunt tract: a rare complication.

Though a ventriculoperitoneal shunt has been associated with myriads of unusual complications, so has been that with roundworms. A case of a three-year-old boy is presented who had an unusual complication of roundworm migration along the shunt tract that presented as shunt tract infection.

Nonmidline yolk sac tumour of the head and neck region in an infant with Dandy Walker syndrome--case report and review of literature.

Germ cell neoplasms are among the most commonly observed tumors in the pediatric age group. However, yolk sac tumors, which form a common subtype occur rarely in the head and neck region. In this paper we share our experience of one such rare case and review the literature about this condition.

Primary gastric lymphoma in a boy.

Primary gastric lymphoma is an extremely uncommon entity in children, and diffuse large-cell-type lymphoma in this age group is still rarer. An 11-year-old boy with primary gastric lymphoma who responded to CHOP regime is reported.

Gastric volvulus in childhood.

Gastric volvulus is an uncommon condition more so in the paediatric age group. The cause of gastric volvulus may be idiopathic or secondary to various congenital or acquired conditions. In this short series of three patients, one had volvulus which was due to ligamentous laxity and mobile spleen, second had congenital postero-lateral diaphragmatic defect and the third had hiatus hernia.

Proximal jejunal obstruction due to eosinophilic gastroenteritis.

Eosinophilic enteritis or gastroenteritis is a rare disease characterised by tissue eosinophilia which can affect different layers of bowel wall. It can affect any area of gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the rectum, although stomach and small intestine are sites most frequently reported. It is important to recognize this disease early and institute the necessary treatment. An eight year old girl presented with acute intestinal obstruction. Exploration revealed a structure of proximal jejunum. Histopathology demonstrated eosinophilic jejunitis. The case is reported owing to this rarity and relevant literature is reviewed.

Cystic mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver--a rare condition.

Cystic Mesenchymal Hamartoma of the liver is a rare benign tumour of infancy. Congenital cysts of the liver are of two main types: mesenchymal hamartoma and non parasitic cysts. The latter are encountered frequently while liver hamartomas are rare. The first reported case of mesenchymal hamartoma was that of Maresch in 1903. In 1956 Edmondson reviewed the literature and proposed the term "Mesenchymal Hamartoma" as a new clinical entity. In this paper we are discussing a rare case of cystic mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver, its clinical presentation, pathological characteristics, options of management and reviewing the relevant literature.

Hepatic hemangioendothelioma of infancy with congestive cardiac failure--report of a case.

A case of infantile hemangioendothelioma of the liver is reported in a 18 day-old male neonate. The neonate presented with CHF. He had hepatomegaly, but lacked the third component of the classical triad i.e. cutaneous hemangiomas. The S.A.F.P levels were raised to 920 ng/ml, though rise is rare in infantile hemangioendothelioma and led to the clinical diagnosis of hepatoblastoma. A left hepatic resection was performed, the histology showed a type I pattern of the tumor. This is known to be associated with a good prognosis. The baby is well post resection for a follow up period of six months.

Rectal duplication.

Duplications of the alimentary tract are of a great rarity, particularly so in the rectum. Because of its rarity, the difficulty of making a correct diagnosis and of selection of proper approach for treatment, this entity bears a special significance. The present case report deals with a female newborn who presented with imperforate anus and a rectovestibular fistula and a mass prolapsing at the introitus. Complete excision of the mass was carried out through the perineal approach and the child then underwent, a PSARP for the correction of the rectal anomaly. Histology confirmed the mass to be a rectal duplication.

Posterior midline cervical fetal cystic hygroma.

Posterior midline cervical cystic hygromas (PMC) are frequently found associated with chromosomal aberrations and usually do not survive. The present report illustrates diagnosis of this condition by sonography in an 18 weeks old fetus and an amniocentesis revealed 45 x0 karyotype and increased concentration of alpha-fetoproteins. Pregnancy was terminated in view of Turner's syndrome. The etiology and natural history of the condition is reviewed.

Chylothorax--a conservative approach (a case report).

Lymphatic blockage due to a non-specific inflammation probably of a filarial origin caused dilatation and ectasia of lymph channels at thoracic inlet of a child. Transudation of lymph through these channels led to chylothorax. The present case report highlights the significance of conservative approach towards this complex problem.

Developmental anomalies associated with hypospadias.

Hundred and thirty patients with hypospadias were studied between 1983 and 1990, with an aim of analysing the associated anomalies in these patients. Urogenital anomalies were observed in 30% and extra-urogenital anomalies were noted in 16%. Undescended testis was the most frequently seen anomaly, having been noted in 6.9% of 130 cases. Vesico-ureteral reflux was present in 5.4% and inguinal hernia in 3.8%. The incidence of these anomalies increased in proportion to the severity of penile deformity. The present article emphasizes the need for systemic urological and endocrinal examination, especially in severe cases of hypospadias.