Treatment of microperforate hymen with serial dilation: a novel approach.

BACKGROUND: Microperforate and imperforate hymens are one of the most common causes of vaginal outflow obstruction in the adolescent population. To date, these hymen anomalies are traditionally treated by hymenectomy with a cruciate excision. CASES(S): We report 2 cases of adolescent women with a microperforate hymen who were successfully and minimally invasively treated with progressive dilation with Hegar cervical dilators until a number 23 dilator was reached under anesthesia in the OR. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive treatment of microperforate hymen with the use of progressive cervical dilators may be an alternative technique to the traditional excisional hymenectomy. Our patients reported satisfaction and minimal postoperative pain or scarring at 2 weeks and 6 months after the procedure. This technique can be an additional option for all women, especially those with cultural beliefs in virginity.

Cord Compression due to Extramedullary Hematopoiesis in an Adolescent with Known Beta Thalassemia Major.

We describe a 16 year-old male with ß thalassemia major and gait disturbances that had not been given blood transfusions due to a severe childhood transfusion reaction. Thoracic spine MRI demonstrated hematopoietic marrow throughout the spine and epidural masses causing cord compression consistent with extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH). After treatment with steroids, radiotherapy and monitored blood transfusions, the patient demonstrated significant improvement of his paraspinal lesions and near complete resolution of his neurological symptoms. While EMH causing cord compression in adolescents is rare in the current era of bone marrow transplantation or chronic transfusions, it should be considered when thalassemia major patients present with neurological deficits. The well defined imaging features of EMH can play a central role in its diagnosis and management, especially because surgical and / or radiotherapeutic intervention are often considered in cases of failed medical treatment.

Torsion of a giant mesenteric lipoma.

Mesenteric lipoma is a rare benign neoplastic condition that can grow to be very large and mimic other midgut fatty tumors. These benign tumors can cause various gastrointestinal symptoms such as obstruction and abdominal pain. We report the case of a 9-year-old boy who presented with a small bowel obstruction caused by torsion of a large mesenteric lipoma. This is an important but unusual tumor and should be considered in the differential of fatty lesions within the mesentery.