Postoperative Diffuse Peritonitis Causing Adhesive Bowel Obstruction Possibly Due to Sars-Cov-19 Infection: Report of a Case

Aim is to discuss diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties in COVID-19 related postoperative outcomes. A 5-year-old boy operated for jejunal atresia in neonatal period admitted with recurrent bilious vomiting. The upper GI series revealed dilated jejunum and absence of mechanical obstruction. The dilated jejunal segment was excised and anastomosis was performed. Later, he developed peritonitis without signs of anastomotic leaks. The second surgical exploration revealed diffuse peritonitis causing thickened and fibrous bowel loops causing hardly lysable adhesions. Then, his grandmother was learned to be COVID-PCR positive. Therefore, patients with atypical postoperative course should be investigated for possible COVID-19 during pandemics. Copyright © 2022 Ankara Pediatric Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital. All rights reserved.

Protecting Their Privacy: Teenagers & Telemedicine

Introduction: Telemedicine utilization has grown exponentially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual encounters provided a safe platform to continue patient care while mitigating the spread of COVID-19. However, we present a case that highlights the limitations and challenges of telemedicine, especially amongst sexually active teenagers. Case Description: A 15-year-old female presented to the ED with worsening abdominal pain and new onset bilious emesis. Six weeks earlier, she developed diarrhea and abdominal pain which was diagnosed as C. diff colitis. During this time, she had 10 virtual encounters between her pediatrician and GI team. Antibiotics were completed for C. diff with partial improvement, but were restarted after symptoms returned. She also reported vaginal discharge that was treated empirically with antifungals. Given the onset of bilious emesis and acute worsening abdominal pain, she was directed to the ED. She tested positive for COVID-19 and computed tomography of the abdomen/pelvis showed a partial small bowel obstruction (SBO). The first HEADSS exam during this illness was done on admission;she initially denied recent sexual activity. However, when expectations around confidentiality were clarified, she disclosed sexual intercourse ten weeks ago. Chlamydia trachomatis testing was positive and diagnostic laparoscopy for her SBO revealed diffuse adhesive disease consistent with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome. Adhesions were successfully lysed, she was started on appropriate antibiotics, her abdominal pain resolved and she was discharged home. Discussion: Telemedicine allows patients access to their physicians with the click of a button. It can prevent delays in diagnosis that would otherwise occur due to the inability to come into the clinic or hospital. However, managing patients through telemedicine can be challenging;this case highlights some of the difficulties. Firstly, there is no physical exam to aid diagnosis. It can also be difficult to discuss sensitive issues over video. Even during inperson visits, confidentiality remains an important yet challenging component for adolescents. With the added component of telemedicine and more family members at home, teen privacy may be at risk and needs to be confirmed during every encounter. Despite the ease, telemedicine must be carefully utilized to ensure adequate adolescent sexual healthcare and confidentiality. Conclusion: This case illustrates a rare presentation of SBO caused by PID in an adolescent female and should remind clinicians to approach abdominal pain in a sexually active adolescent with a broad differential. Moreover, the increased utilization of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic creates opportunities for patient care, though comes with its imperfections. As telemedicine is here to stay, pediatricians must recognize these current limitations to avoid delays in diagnosis and care. (Figure Presented).

Bilious Emesis and Failure to Pass Meconium in the Nursery

Introduction: In this case we review important newborn nursery management strategies and unique surgical diagnostic measures in a severe case of intestinal obstruction due to small left colon syndrome (SLCS) - illustrating an impressive relationship between intestinal dysmotility and meconium plug formation that increases risk of intestinal perforation in the newborn. Case Description: We present a case of an infant born to a mother with symptomatic COVID-19, who at 24 hours of life was treated for failure to pass meconium with a glycerin suppository and went on to develop bilious emesis and severe abdominal distention as feeding continued over the next several hours. After a normal upper GI, a barium enema identified a distal obstruction and the pediatric surgical team used rectal irrigation to remove a large meconium plug which mimicked the appearance of the descending colon on plain film, ultimately leading to the diagnosis of SLCS. The infant went on to stool normally after removal, however due to the severity of his initial clinical picture, a multi-disciplinary team was consulted, and concluded that given the severity of the meconium plug, a workup for cystic fibrosis was indicated, but deferred a rectal biopsy for Hirschprung disease due to normal return of bowel function upon removal of the obstruction. Discussion: Meconium plug syndrome is a transient distal GI obstruction in the lower colon or rectum with thick meconium and is thought to be due to poor intestinal motility. A contrast enema is typically diagnostic, showing a decrease in bowel caliber distal to the plug, and therapeutic, as the plug is often passed during the procedure. A sharp transition zone at the splenic flexure followed by a narrow descending colon on imaging is consistent with SLCS with a meconium plug at the transition zone. Infants presenting with both meconium plug syndrome and SLCS may require an evaluation for an underlying diagnosis of cystic fibrosis or Hirschprung disease. Delayed meconium passage is present in 11.9% of infants diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, while 15% of infants with meconium plugs have an aganglionic segment on rectal biopsy, indicative of Hirschprung disease. The decision to perform additional tests in an infant with SLCS should be guided by the patient's clinical course and in conjunction with a pediatric surgical team. Conclusion: Although intestinal obstruction in the newborn is rather rare, it is imperative that it is promptly diagnosed and treated to avoid negative outcomes. Despite being considered a mild form of obstruction due to its transient nature, meconium plug syndrome can lead to an impressive clinical illness and urgent consultation with a surgical team is vital due to the risk of intestinal perforation if the obstruction is not relieved.

JEJUNAL PERFORATION SECONDARY TO KICK DURING KICK-BOXING PRACTICE: LAPAROSCOPIC MANAGEMENT

Small bowel injury in a sports setting is a rare occurrence with a paucity of reported cases. A 30-year old male patient consulted for generalized abdominal pain subsequent to secondary blunt abdominal trauma during kick-boxing practice. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a moderate amount of free fluid in both the parietocolic space and the rectovesical pouch, with perihepatic pneumoperitoneum. Emergency laparoscopy was indicated and a closure of small bowel defect was performed. Diagnosis of small bowel injuries is difficult, resulting in delayed treatment and increased mortality and morbidity.

Appendicular syndrome revealing kawasakilike syndrome: A case report

Background With the wide spread of the current SARS-CoV-2, It was found that about 2% of children was affected according to several studies, However, a small number of children with Covid-19 develop a significant systemic inflammatory response similar to Kawasaki disease, a new disease entity called multisystem inflammatory syndrome. Methods A 12-year-old child, without a notable pathological history, who presented to the emergency, during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, for management of a pseudo-appendicular syndrome. Our patient was initially assessed by the surgical team due to his query acute abdomen. The pain had been evolving for 3 days associated with several episodes of bilious vomiting in a context of fever at 38.5°. Abdominal examination noted abdominal tenderness and defence. Extradigestive signs were not reported, The Lab Testing objectified a CRP at 235, elevated white blood cells at 18 180, an abdominal ultrasound was requested returning without particularities. Faced with the persistence of bilious vomiting, surgical exploration was indicated objectifying a catarrhal appendix. A pediatric opinion was requested, the clinical examination shows conscious child who presents infra cervical lymphadenopathy with a fever at 38 associated with an erythematous skin rash on the back and aseptic conjunctivitis. The Lab Testing objectified an important inflammatory syndrome, a acute kidney and heart failure a Covid 19 serology was requested with positive IGG, négative IGM, PCR covid test was negative, given the unavailability of In immunoglobulins, the treatment was based on corticosteroid bolus then relay by oral corticosteroid associated with an anti-inflammatory treatment, gastric protection by proton pump inhibitors, treatment of heart and acute kidney failure. The evolution was marked by clinical and biological improvement Discussion Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among children and adolescents, is mainly responsible for mild respiratory symptoms, in contrast to the severe forms reported in adults [7]. A systemic inflammatory syndrome mimicking kDa, temporally associated with infection with SARS-CoV-2 (Kawa-COVID-19) has recently been described as a serious illness sometimes requiring intensive care (44%). The median age is older (> 5 years), the frequency and severity of myocarditis are very different from classic kDa, abdominal pain and/or diarrhea were more frequently (81%) reported than in classic kDa, heart failure, pneumonia, neurological and renal impairment, associated with elevated CRP, hyperferritinemia are more common in Kawasaki-Like syndrome [10]. Some investigations must be systematically realized urgently to diagnose potentially fatal complications. These include testing for myocarditis, patients should benefit from careful monitoring and treatment with IV Ig 2 g/kg should be administered rapidly and seems to be effective in the majority of cases, associated antiinflammatory therapy, such as steroids is necessary Conclusion Pediatricians should be aware of these atypical presentations of COVID-19 infection for early diagnosis.